My husband and I spent 4 years living in our RV traveling the USA & Canada. We spent 8 weeks on the rock in 2017 and whenever anyone asks in our 4 years what I favorite place was, our answer without hesitation, Newfoundland. As Ed (husband) has said many times, with Newfoundlanders in the first minute you're welcomed, in another couple of minutes, you're friends, and in ten minutes you're family! We love the beauty, we love the history, we love the icebergs, we love the fish and we especially love the people, the nicest in the world.
I think, Marti, your experience was universal. Everyone I know who has traveled our rock has come out with the same response, which makes me both happy and proud. I hope to return again soon. JM
I’m not a big reader. I know I should read more, but I don’t.
Your story really struck me hard over my morning coffee.
A lot what you described I can relate to personally.
I currently live in St. John’s and studied my final year of college just outside of Dallas. I love Texas!
I’ve been to Beaumont Hamel twice and walked it’s grounds and heard those birds you described.
And finally, I knew and went to school with Noel and remember when he passed.
We weren’t good friends but his passing hit our school collectively hard and he was the only person I knew at that time who passed who was as old as I.
I can’t imagine what your grandfather would have went through to survive that July 1st day.
Watching his brothers killed before him.
I smiled at Anderson Cooper’s comments of our kindness, etc. We’ve never had a problem welcoming the “CFA’s” with open arms.
The Titan tragedy will not be the last time Newfoundland’s geological position and big heartedness attracts the world’s attention.
Thanks for this thoughtful note, Trevor. Everyone's connection to the island always amazes me, especially people who've been there briefly and feel like they have lifelong friends, which, I reckon they do.
Noel's passing was just impossible to accept for a long time for all our family. A lifeguard and scuba diver, and when he came back up he was treading water within sight of his grandfather's (my uncle's) front porch. Before they could toss him a rope he went under when they turned their backs. RCMPs went up and down the coast. Never even found a pice of clothing.
I hope to get back up there next summer with my wife, daughter, and son-in-law. Very much want our daughter to know the place where he grandmother is from and connect to her Newfoundland heritage.
Mom and I spent the first week of June there this year. I loved every minute of it. The environment and the people are second to none in beauty and friendliness!
I had been in '86 as a teenager with my family to the west side all the way up to L'anse Aux Meadows.
This time was the east side from Mistaken Point up to the Bonavista Peninsula while staying in St. John's along Quidi Vidi lake.
I will be taking my husband there next year hopefully!
Good article except for the use of the derogatory term "Newf" and please don't try and tell me different it ain't no term of endearment for I am a proud Newfoundlander
What a story of love and loss, and the eternal circle of life. I had a friend in Dallas in the 1980’s who was from Newfoundland. Much older man, we talked sports and politics AND life. He moved to Ontario and I found him on a reporting trip there and we raised several glasses. I lost track of him and years later I searched the internet and found
he had returned to die on those rocks. Reading this, I have a deeper understanding why. Thank you.
Thanks, Jim, for such a thoughtful comment. Newfoundlanders truly are a breed apart. Don't know if you saw Anderson Cooper's comment about being in St. John's. He said, "I've been all over the world and I've never met such kind and helpful people. Everyone was unbelievably gracious." I've never met a soul from there to contradict that assessment.
I promise you will love the people and the scenery and the sea food. Just get out before the winter arrives. Newfoundlanders asked about what they do in the summer, "Well, if it comes on a weekend, we have a picnic."
Yeah, sometimes it goes that way, eh, bro? I've written about parts of it all my life but never turned the whole thing into an essay. The Titan prompted it.
My husband and I spent 4 years living in our RV traveling the USA & Canada. We spent 8 weeks on the rock in 2017 and whenever anyone asks in our 4 years what I favorite place was, our answer without hesitation, Newfoundland. As Ed (husband) has said many times, with Newfoundlanders in the first minute you're welcomed, in another couple of minutes, you're friends, and in ten minutes you're family! We love the beauty, we love the history, we love the icebergs, we love the fish and we especially love the people, the nicest in the world.
I think, Marti, your experience was universal. Everyone I know who has traveled our rock has come out with the same response, which makes me both happy and proud. I hope to return again soon. JM
It's a gift to read such a bittersweet yet beautiful story that endures from its roots in your soul.
Thanks, my friend. Appreciate you reading it.
I’m not a big reader. I know I should read more, but I don’t.
Your story really struck me hard over my morning coffee.
A lot what you described I can relate to personally.
I currently live in St. John’s and studied my final year of college just outside of Dallas. I love Texas!
I’ve been to Beaumont Hamel twice and walked it’s grounds and heard those birds you described.
And finally, I knew and went to school with Noel and remember when he passed.
We weren’t good friends but his passing hit our school collectively hard and he was the only person I knew at that time who passed who was as old as I.
I can’t imagine what your grandfather would have went through to survive that July 1st day.
Watching his brothers killed before him.
I smiled at Anderson Cooper’s comments of our kindness, etc. We’ve never had a problem welcoming the “CFA’s” with open arms.
The Titan tragedy will not be the last time Newfoundland’s geological position and big heartedness attracts the world’s attention.
Thank’s for sharing and come “home” soon.
Thanks for this thoughtful note, Trevor. Everyone's connection to the island always amazes me, especially people who've been there briefly and feel like they have lifelong friends, which, I reckon they do.
Noel's passing was just impossible to accept for a long time for all our family. A lifeguard and scuba diver, and when he came back up he was treading water within sight of his grandfather's (my uncle's) front porch. Before they could toss him a rope he went under when they turned their backs. RCMPs went up and down the coast. Never even found a pice of clothing.
I hope to get back up there next summer with my wife, daughter, and son-in-law. Very much want our daughter to know the place where he grandmother is from and connect to her Newfoundland heritage.
Jim
Thank you for this beautiful story!
Mom and I spent the first week of June there this year. I loved every minute of it. The environment and the people are second to none in beauty and friendliness!
I had been in '86 as a teenager with my family to the west side all the way up to L'anse Aux Meadows.
This time was the east side from Mistaken Point up to the Bonavista Peninsula while staying in St. John's along Quidi Vidi lake.
I will be taking my husband there next year hopefully!
Lovely, Jim.
Good article except for the use of the derogatory term "Newf" and please don't try and tell me different it ain't no term of endearment for I am a proud Newfoundlander
I’m thinking since we don’t have winter in the States anymore, it might be fun.
What a story of love and loss, and the eternal circle of life. I had a friend in Dallas in the 1980’s who was from Newfoundland. Much older man, we talked sports and politics AND life. He moved to Ontario and I found him on a reporting trip there and we raised several glasses. I lost track of him and years later I searched the internet and found
he had returned to die on those rocks. Reading this, I have a deeper understanding why. Thank you.
Thanks, Jim, for such a thoughtful comment. Newfoundlanders truly are a breed apart. Don't know if you saw Anderson Cooper's comment about being in St. John's. He said, "I've been all over the world and I've never met such kind and helpful people. Everyone was unbelievably gracious." I've never met a soul from there to contradict that assessment.
After moving to New England, we expect to spend some time up there. This gives us real context.
Also, make sure you get "Screeched in." It's a great honor.
I promise you will love the people and the scenery and the sea food. Just get out before the winter arrives. Newfoundlanders asked about what they do in the summer, "Well, if it comes on a weekend, we have a picnic."
That was a melancholy tale.
Yeah, sometimes it goes that way, eh, bro? I've written about parts of it all my life but never turned the whole thing into an essay. The Titan prompted it.