Workshop Tour Day 9: Colourful Happy Valley

I woke up at 3am with a bright computer screen inches from my face on the bedside table at my hotel in Goose Bay.  Last I remember, there were only 5 or so photos left to upload to this blog – less than 2 minutes of waiting time – but I guess my body simply decided it was time to sleep after such a colourful day.

Les Mains dans l’art:  L’École Boréale  – Happy Valley, Labrador

I left my hotel at 6am in case the road crews had already started work on the stretch of road between Goose Bay and Happy-Valley.  That, and I needed to hunt for breakfast as it’s not served in my hotel. Luckily, I found a Tim Horton’s on the way. Of course I had to test whether sugar on an empty stomach still gave me an immediate headache, something I tend to forget.  What can I say? I associate Tim Horton’s with Boston Cream Doughnuts…  I was OK after I followed that up with some healthier choices.  I was at the school a little before 7am, when Jean-Pierre, the director opened up. It takes me about an hour to set up the room, and I like to have it all done by the time the participants arrive.

We had a great morning – 3 hours here with 8 participants, including Mme Nancy, the teacher, and Dominic, one of the parents.  We also had a ninth, Mme Joanna, who assisted one of the children and a few others who dropped in to witness the fun.  You’ll see a couple of faces in this gallery, as the parents were there to give me permission.  That third hour is great as it gives the students time to go through the warm, cool, glaze, and contrast layers before spending time listening to their hearts and their artwork to repeat any of the steps with any of the tools.  Once again, we were all thrilled with the results, and Mme Nancy intends to repeat the process with future classes.  Wonderful!  I’m also happy to report that Oscar, the cutest bunny ever, is still very much white after our very messy morning in his proximity.  Thanks to all for yet another memorable experience!

Dome Mountain:

After returning to my hotel for lunch and to spread out my brushes to dry, I met Marie-Ève, the school secretary and pre-school teacher, and we drove our separate cars up to Dome Mountain.  I could see why she opted for that instead of trying to draw me a map.  What an adventure of twists and turns through the military base (major flashbacks from my childhood on Canadian bases in Germany) and up dirt roads up the mountain.  I’m glad to report I didn’t leave the floor of my snazzy little red Cube anywhere and that my tires survived the million potholes. I can see why this is a popular playground for all terrain vehicles in the summer and ski-doos in the winter.  Once at the top, you get a great panoramic view of the whole region (although the thick haze didn’t make for great photography).Still, it was a thrill being up there and the adventure ride had me grinning yet again.

I didn’t read about this look-out on any tourist site – I felt very lucky.  I didn’t stay long after my guide left for her appointment, but took a long time getting back down – avoiding potholes, taking pictures, and playing the “find your way back” game.

I was meeting Isabelle at the school at 3pm – she works for the French school board in St. John’s, and we’ve been following each other since Port-au-Port. We headed nearby to where the director had explained was the only access to Churchill River in town.  Yay! I was going to get my sunset over water.  I knew there had to be water nearby. He explained that access to it in town was restricted for strategic military reasons when the base was built here in the valley.  I had read about this trail that passes behind Warr’s Pharmacy.  That’s where we parked, and Isabelle went for a jog along the path that passed behind houses along the shore for a few kilometers while I took pictures.

We then drove to a nearby boat launch before she went back to her hotel to work, and I kept scouting for spots to set up for sunset.

I’m just amazed at all the sand here after the pebble and stone beaches of Newofundland.  At one point, I drove down a long sandy road and onto a huge beach where all-terrain vehicles obviously have their fun.  It was magic hour for the light. Heaven!

I left before sunset though because I didn’t want to have to drive out of there in the dark.  Instead, I went back to the beach at the end of the walking trail and enjoyed the show. Now it’s your turn.

I head home to St. John’s in a couple of hours. Today, Day 10, marks the end of my travels. I loved being on the road, and I’m ready to go home.  The program isn’t finished though.  I teach in the school in St. John’s next Wednesday morning.  After that, there will be a community workshop open to the public during the Festival du Vent, on Saturday, November 22nd.  I’ll give you more details about registration as soon as I get them.  Thanks for traveling and playing with me everyone!