From End To End Of This Great Country
Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to set foot on Cape Spear in Newfoundland – The farthest eastern point on Canada…ie…next stop = Europe. What a beautiful place this is :).
There is something very powerful about both coastlines of Canada, but in completely different ways. The landscape out here is made up of some of the oldest rock on this planet, and the geological arrangement of it is breath taking. Cape Spear is part of the East Coast Trail, and I’ll be doing a little more of it while I am here. The openness of the land partnered with the endless ocean is some kinda magical.
My whole Newfie experience has been really special – amazing people that have been so supportive (taken me on adventures, given me places to stay), great music, but also for a whole different reason. Reflecting back on my life, I realized how much Great Big Sea has had an impact on me. They were one of the first live shows I ever saw (my bro took me), and this was back in Kelowna at the Boardwalk roller skate rink …..when it still existed.
Walking around St. John’s and investigating some of the periphery, a whole ton of Great Big Sea’s lyrics (Some original, some traditional) have been unraveling visually before me. I am finally seeing the places or situational circumstances they make reference to in their songs, and it’s really cool to connect the dots. That, and the band has always been an inspiration to me with regards to their energy onstage, and how great they are as performers. I have just missed seeing them perform 3x this trip, which is a bugger, as I feel I need to meet these guys in order to say thanks for the effect they have had on my life. If anyone knows them and can pass this message their way, my greatest thanks to you!
One of the first songs I learned on guitar was Wave Over Wave, and I performed it while playing on the Marine Atlantic Ferry. While playing this tune, I happened to glance out the window of the boat, only to see a giant whale tail submerging! What a cool moment that was.
Anyways, thought I would leave you with that tune in case you haven’t heard it, and if you have, take the time to enjoy it again!