Reaching Old Perlican
"The distances to the winter houses varied. Some families moved only two or three miles; this was the case at Cape Ray. At Old Perlican, families went inland about eight miles." [1]
The Practice of Winter Housing - by Maureen Hanrahan, Special to the Telegram, 1/3/04
Reaching the Town of Old Perlican, he got out of his car. It was mid day and incredibly hot. He was fair skinned and had to watch it. While remembering how his wife would say "you burn taking the garbage out!", a mangy old dog came up and circled him. Its ribs were showing. What the hell... he could use a tour guide, so he named him Dry Bones. What a sorry looking dog.
Perlican Island was as barren as the dog. An interpretive panel informed him it was a nesting ground for the Black - Legged Kittiwake. How exotic. Thirsty and hungry, he drove back up the street to the combined gas, grocery, and wine store, and purchased some baked chicken, fries, a large bottle of water, and a bottle of Chianti. Dry Bones was still waiting when he returned. They shared the lunch together in the Memorial park. Dry bones liked fried chicken. No wine for Dry Bones, just water - he had that reformed look about him.
As he looked at the red fish store, he bet winters were hellish here - so exposed, even in these days of miracles and wonders. There was the permanence of institutions and mandatory schooling now. But it wasn't always like that.
In 1708, English historian John Oldmixon wrote of Newfoundland: ""The Climate is very hot in summer and Cold in winter; the snow is on the Ground 4 or 5 Months; and the English in the Northern Parts are forc''d to remove from the Harbours into the Woods, during that Season, for the convenience of Firing. There they build themselves Cabins, and burn up all that Part of the Woods where they sit down. The next Winter they do the same by another, and so clear ''em as they go." [2]
He explored the wharves and fish plant. Big bucks here in boats, gear, and fishing. The marina reminded him of something one would see in Florida, not Old Perlican. Lots of fibreglass and chrome. Dry Bones wasn't much welcome around the boats, so they walked some shoreline and then headed back to the park. He made some notes in his book. Then he filled a small pail with the rest of the water for Dry Bones and decided to set his sights on Grates Cove.
He watched as the dog disappeared in his rear view mirror. Dry Bones would have to stay - none the less, he was from old Perlican.
Notes; [1,2] The Practice of Winter Housing - - by Maureen Hanrahan, Special to the Telegram, 1/3/04.
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/a/r/Randy-J-Harnett/FILE/0016page.html
Steven Rhude, Wolfville, NS
The Practice of Winter Housing - by Maureen Hanrahan, Special to the Telegram, 1/3/04
 |
| Reaching Old Perlican, o/c, 24" x 24", Steven Rhude, Emma Butler Gallery |
Reaching the Town of Old Perlican, he got out of his car. It was mid day and incredibly hot. He was fair skinned and had to watch it. While remembering how his wife would say "you burn taking the garbage out!", a mangy old dog came up and circled him. Its ribs were showing. What the hell... he could use a tour guide, so he named him Dry Bones. What a sorry looking dog.
Perlican Island was as barren as the dog. An interpretive panel informed him it was a nesting ground for the Black - Legged Kittiwake. How exotic. Thirsty and hungry, he drove back up the street to the combined gas, grocery, and wine store, and purchased some baked chicken, fries, a large bottle of water, and a bottle of Chianti. Dry Bones was still waiting when he returned. They shared the lunch together in the Memorial park. Dry bones liked fried chicken. No wine for Dry Bones, just water - he had that reformed look about him.
As he looked at the red fish store, he bet winters were hellish here - so exposed, even in these days of miracles and wonders. There was the permanence of institutions and mandatory schooling now. But it wasn't always like that.
In 1708, English historian John Oldmixon wrote of Newfoundland: ""The Climate is very hot in summer and Cold in winter; the snow is on the Ground 4 or 5 Months; and the English in the Northern Parts are forc''d to remove from the Harbours into the Woods, during that Season, for the convenience of Firing. There they build themselves Cabins, and burn up all that Part of the Woods where they sit down. The next Winter they do the same by another, and so clear ''em as they go." [2]
He explored the wharves and fish plant. Big bucks here in boats, gear, and fishing. The marina reminded him of something one would see in Florida, not Old Perlican. Lots of fibreglass and chrome. Dry Bones wasn't much welcome around the boats, so they walked some shoreline and then headed back to the park. He made some notes in his book. Then he filled a small pail with the rest of the water for Dry Bones and decided to set his sights on Grates Cove.
He watched as the dog disappeared in his rear view mirror. Dry Bones would have to stay - none the less, he was from old Perlican.
Notes; [1,2] The Practice of Winter Housing - - by Maureen Hanrahan, Special to the Telegram, 1/3/04.
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/a/r/Randy-J-Harnett/FILE/0016page.html
Steven Rhude, Wolfville, NS
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