Open-air snacking

Went hiking yesterday, down to Freshwater Bay.

That's the bay with the barachois, just south of St. John's. Or a tad north of Cape Spear, the most easterly foothold in all of North America.

Here's what we brought along to eat:

• figs (dried)
• trail mix
• banana
• eggs (hardboiled, pre-peeled)
• pumpkin muffin (Sarah); German bread (Fred)
• parmesan cheese
• chocolate.

All in all, a grand slew of treats, every food group represented. And I'm pleased to report that in the crisp, salty air, everything rated super-yum.

Besides grub, a successful hike around these parts depends upon being able to read the weather. 'Tis variable, to say the least.

Whereas my forebearers wrung info from wind direction, the stars, the way the cod tongues were hanging (or whatever), I am, alas, at the mercy of the interweb. Environment Canada's online radar service is, as I've just learned, a most dependable way to find a rainless window in an otherwise sloppy day.

Anyhow, always seems that if you've the fortitude to gear up and get out, you'll be rewarded. Yesterday's outing reminded me that Newfoundland & Labrador has the most impressive landscape — no wonder we just got tagged as the top coastal destination in the world.

The cycle of snack

A while back, I borrowed a mountain bike from a generous friend. Recently, my partner, Fred, has hijacked it a few times.

Now, part of the attraction of cycling is getting to eat while you ride. Eating is encouraged, to keep energy levels high.

But Fred seems to gain additional pleasure from the very process of stashing his eats. Believe me, there's genuine glee on display when he's tucking snacks into various pieces of his clothing (don't ask!) or taping them to the crossbar of the bicycle.

Anyhow, thought it might be interesting to look at Fred's logbook. Each time, he started in downtown St. John's and headed straight outside the city. Plenty of great routes, right at the doorstep.

Ride 1 (20 miles)

• snacks
  • dried apricots
  • trail mix

• highlights
  • llamas in a pasture
  • lady walking her miniature pony down the road

Ride 2 (20 miles)

• snacks
  • raisins + peanuts + pumpkin seeds
  • hunks of date-walnut cake

• highlights:
  • beaver dam
  • Labrador retrievers running amok

Ride 3 (25 miles)

• snacks
  • banana
  • energy bar

• highlights/lowlights: 
  • homemade wind generator
  • remains of butchered moose (head, legs) discarded on roadside

Clearly, cycling Newfoundland provides a feast not only for the tastebuds, but for the other senses as well.