Standing Into Danger: Tackling a Scallywag!

Friday, August 16, 2019

Tackling a Scallywag!

Finally, I tackled a scallywag I've wanted to take on for years!

It took me one hour and fifty-one minutes to slog through
5.26 miles (8.48 kilometers) of sand, water, mud, and rocks
but I did it!
And I can't wait to do it again next year!
Tides permitting.

What scallywag?
Only The Scallywag,
the Smith's Cove Fire Department's Annual Scallywag 8K.
It's a fun run and walk from the fire station to the beach,
across the sand bar, around Bear Island, and back to the fire station.

My sister Donnie and our sister Bertie's daughter Sara went for it,
while the rest of our extended family and friends cheered us on.

Sara, Yours Truly, and Donnie

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 2, 2019

Scallywag Route

Google Maps

Imagery: Maxar Technologies ~ 2019

Yes, the Scallywag is an 8K event,

but for those of us who don't like slogging through icky mudflats,

the route is a little longer if we want to avoid the worst of the mud.

I do not like icky mudflats, so I walked 8.48 kilometers.

And, by the way, that mud sticks to your shoes,

and clumps on in a heavier and heavier sodden mass

until you can hardly lift your feet.

My sister Donnie says you can use a skate-skiing motion

of your feet to glide across the mud faster, but I just sink.

You can only walk to Bear Island during low tide

when the sand bar is exposed and joins the island to the mainland.

Bear Island at High Tide

from Donnie and Martin's deck

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

Bear Island at Low Tide

from Donnie and Martin's deck

August 3, 2019

Bear Island is one of two islands in the lovely and historic Annapolis Basin,

a sub-basin of the Bay of Fundy.

Annapolis Basin is 15 miles (24 kilometers) long in a northeast-southwest direction,

and 3.7 miles or (6 kilometers) at its widest point from northwest to southeast.

Wikipedia

The Bay of Fundy is one of the greatest national wonders in the world,

because it has the largest tides in the world.

In the Minas Basin at the head of the Bay of Fundy,

the difference in water depth between high tide and low tide

is 53 feet (16.15 meters).

The Annapolis Basin is more sheltered and shallower than the Bay of Fundy,

but its water depth changes 22.9 to 29.5 feet (7 to 9 meters)

between low tide and high tide, as measured in the town of Digby.

tide-forecast

Digby's Busy Wharf Scene

Note the dark brown poles.

As the tide rises the dock floats up,

held in position by the poles.

August 1, 2019

From the time I was a small child roaming the beach in Smith's Cove,
I was warned of the dangers of that tempting sand bar going out to Bear Island.
When the tide rises, it comes in fast, the water is cold, and there are treacherous currents.

My father threatened to skin my siblings and me alive if he caught us on the sand bar,
but it was the story of our mother's near drowning when she was nine or ten
that kept us on the shore and away from the beckoning bar.

Were it not for the quick action of her Uncle Donald,
who was tending his fishing weir not far from the sand bar, she would have drowned.
She was up to her neck in water when he reached her and dragged her into his dory.

A Deceiving Lure

from Donnie and Martin's deck

August 3, 2019

I was very excited to participate in the Scallywag,
because it was an opportunity to explore Bear Island's shoreline
in the safety of a large group
and under the watchful eyes of Smith Cove's Fire Department.

Although I had been across the sand bar three times in my life,
I had never ventured more than a few hundred yards on the near shore of the island.
I was too afraid of getting caught by the rising tide.

If you get caught on Bear Island between tides, you face a long, cold, miserable wait,
especially if no one knows you are there and can get a boat over.
The time interval between low tides is about 12 hours and 23 minutes;
and the sand bar is exposed for a couple of hours a day.
This time interval and the amount of sand bar exposed
varies according to the strength of the tide.
Regardless, you're looking at a ten or eleven hour wait, if you get stuck on the island.

A fire department volunteer

patrols the beach making sure everyone is okay.

from the far side of Bear Island

August 2, 2019

The Scallywag was a little late starting,
because everyone had to wait on the best position of the tide.
Last year the event started too early, and the faster runners
were running through water on the unexposed parts of the sand bar.

Waiting On the Tide for the Scallywag to Start

Smith's Cove Fire Department

August 2, 2019

Yours Truly Waiting on the Tide for the Scallywag to Start

Smith's Cove Fire Department

August 2, 2019

The Scallywag is a fundraiser for Smith's Cove Fire Department,

which is staffed by volunteer firefighters.

This year, for the first time, the fire station will be able

to function as an emergency warming center,

should a winter storm take out electricity in the area.

Finally, the observers from the beach radioed that the tide was right,

and we were off, walkers first and then runners, down the paved hill,

along an abandoned rail-bed trail, past Harbourview Inn,

past the graveyard where generations of my family are buried, and onto the beach.

Heading Through Harbourview to the Beach

August 2, 2019

The Beginning of the Beach Section

August 2, 2019

Walking Along Smith's Cove Beach

August 2, 2019

Our family cheers everyone on by waving the Nova Scotian flag,

ringing cowbells, cheering, and clapping.

from Donnie and Martin's yard

August 2, 2019

Through Sand, Water, Mud, and Rocks

Can you spot four runners on the sand bar?

August 2, 2019

Onto the Sand Bar

August 2, 2019

Crossing the Sand Bar

August 2, 2019

My sister Donnie pauses in her run to say, "Hi. ..."

August 2, 2019

... and snaps my photo.

August 2, 2019

We walk together until we reach Bear Island

August 2, 2019

Bear Island

August 2, 2019

I have heard rumors of bears sighted on Bear Island during my lifetime.

Black bears are the only species of bear found in Nova Scotia,
and they are common throughout the province.

However, encountering a black bear on Bear Island is highly unlikely.

Bears are smart and search out easier places to find food.

They are also excellent swimmers, so I won't rule the possibility out.

Donnie's off and running again.

August 2, 2019

The Far Side of Bear Island

with Digby Gut (the entrance to the Bay of Fundy) in the background.

August 2, 2019

Gulls Protesting the Intrusion

The Far Side of Bear Island

August 2, 2019

At the End of Bear Island

August 2, 2019

Looking Back at the Far Side of Bear Island

August 2, 2019

Looking Forward at the Near Side

August 2, 2019

The Locals

August 2, 2019

Not Happy!

August 2, 2019

Black Cormorants and White Seagulls

August 2, 2019

The Rocky Shore of Bear Island

August 2, 2019

A Volunteer Watching Our Progress

August 2, 2019

Returning on the Sand Bar

August 2, 2019

Looking Toward Smith's Cove

August 2, 2019

Mudflats

August 2, 2019

As I approached the Smith's Cove end of the sand bar,

I could hear the cowbells, clapping, and encouraging cheers

of my extended family and friends greeting participants as they passed on the shore.

Nothing lifts your tired feet better than people cheering you on,
calling you out by name, and yelling "You go, Girl! We're proud of you!"

"You go, Girl!"

from Donnie and Martin's yard

August 2, 2019

Last year, one member of my family (who shall not be named)
decided to stop off at one of our cousin's houses
after reaching the shore and have a cold beer or two.

The Unnamed didn't realize the fire department volunteers

were sweeping the island, sand bar, and shore looking for the missing participant.

Finally another family member tracked the Unnamed down and alerted the fire department.

Let's just say no one made that mistake this year.

Counting as the Participants Come off the Beach

near Harbourview Inn

August 2, 2019

Back at the fire station, welcome refreshments waited thanks to the Scallywag's sponsors:

Digby's Subway and the Atlantic Superstore and Smith's Cove's Lazy Bear Brewery.

Some participants went to the Lazy Bear which opened its brewery for them that evening,
but I joined my family at Donnie and Martin's for more cheers, hugs, and hot pizza.

I was so proud when I finished. I wasn't sure I could do it,

especially since I had gone kayaking for the first time that morning.

If time and tides don't work against me, I'll be back for the Scallywag next year.

The Final Water Station

near Harbourview Inn

August 2, 2019

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

One Happy and Proud Participant

Smith's Cove Fire Department Scallywag

August 2, 2019

For Map Lovers Like Me:

Location of Nova Scotia

Wikimedia

Location of the Annapolis Basin

Google Maps 2019

Location of Smith's Cove and Digby

Google Maps 2019

Location of Bear Island

Google Maps 2019

Imagery Maxar Technologies

Our Niece Sara (Standing) Paddleboarding with a Friend

At High Tide in Smith's Cove

from Donnie and Martin's yard

August 2, 2019

38 comments:

Pat HattAugust 16, 2019 at 2:47 AM
Awesome shots as per usual. Congrats on finishing. haha had to laugh about the sink in mud comment. I guess some can't just skate across. Uggg to mud sticking and such though, I'd go around it too. That is sure one way to keep kids away, tell them an almost drowning story. Things can sure happen fast. lol just wanted a beer and had everyone looking for them. rather funny, maybe not for the fire department though.
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Alex J. CavanaughAugust 16, 2019 at 4:41 AM
Well done! That is quite the trek. Not sure I could jog all of it, but I could at least make the course. Avoiding the mud of course.
Your sister has an amazing view of the island. Best seat in the house.
And that is quite the high tide!
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SandiAugust 16, 2019 at 6:16 AM
How long does the tide stay out?

What happens if you get trapped on the island?

And, most urgently, are there bears on Bear Island?? 😬

"Our family cheers everyone on by waving the Nova Scotian flag,
ringing cowbells, cheering, and clapping."

I think this may be the most Canadian thing I have ever heard!
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bailiAugust 16, 2019 at 6:42 AM
what an adventure dear Louise :)))

thank you for brightening my evening with enchanting images

there is so much love ,energy and positivity in your writing and photos specially

this walk within puddle sounds really fascinating to me , i wish i can do this ,i bet it will be hard to stop when path is never ending

stories from your childhood are always very compelling , glad you were safe my friend

53 feet is really high sounds like "water mountain " to me :)

your niece and sister are so lovely and i loved your precious images as well
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Madeline Mora-SummonteAugust 16, 2019 at 6:44 AM
Good for you! And what a great view from that house! I would be outside there all the time. :)
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Rain August 16, 2019 at 9:41 AM
Oh Louise!!! How wonderful! Congratulations and I'm proud of you too!!! That's such a great event. I have a big pull to the Fundy Bay...The times I've been there, I've felt so at peace. I walked the Hopewell Rocks so often when I lived in Moncton...I miss that area so much and hope to make it my permanent home one of these days! Lovely post, thanks so much for sharing!!!
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Debra She Who SeeksAugust 16, 2019 at 10:30 AM
Way to go, Louise! Another lifetime goal achieved! Great photos too.
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AdamAugust 16, 2019 at 10:32 AM
Sounds like a challenging adventure.
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nashvillecats2August 16, 2019 at 11:32 AM
To tackle sonething you've never done before is always an achievement, Well done. Thanks for sharing your post and wonderful pictures.
I too have often wondered about Andrew our mutual friend.

Yvonne.
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Nancy JAugust 16, 2019 at 12:43 PM
This is epic!!! So many photos, and the details by each one, what an achievement , and with overs safety people there, a tally at the end to make sure you all returned safely , this is what makes a a community and a family so special.XX
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Nancy JAugust 16, 2019 at 12:43 PM
Oops, the words. "overs" should be "other", how did that slip through?
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AnonymousAugust 16, 2019 at 8:06 PM
It was such a great evening Louise....I can't wait to do it again next year! XXOO Dutchess
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Powdered Toast ManAugust 16, 2019 at 10:12 PM
I have always loved the word Scallywag.
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Geo.August 16, 2019 at 11:56 PM
Dear Louise, this is a wonderful and fascinating post! From tide-concerns, recount of watchful heroic uncle, the care and safety procedures in place and the entire scenic wonder of it all. Photos of you, your sister and niece compose a lovely picture of good cheer and determination. My admiration to you all.
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Mrs. MicawberAugust 18, 2019 at 10:24 PM
What a fun and informative post! The tidal information was fascinating - it's hard to imagine a change of 5 feet in water depth.

Congratulations on finishing such a worthy event, and thank you for taking us along. I enjoyed every photo. :)
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Mrs. MicawberAugust 18, 2019 at 10:28 PM
P.S. I actually typed "50+ feet" - why in the world my tablet changed it to 5 is beyond me. Autoerror strikes again. :/
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LisaAugust 20, 2019 at 12:44 AM
What a fun post Aunt Louise! I wish I could have been there to Scallywag along with you! Hopefully one summer it will all line up right :)
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BrendaAugust 20, 2019 at 8:48 AM
Hi Louise,
lovely pics and a good charity to fund.Well done!
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Magic Love CrowSeptember 2, 2019 at 6:31 PM
Wow, I am proud of you girl! What an adventure!!!! Thanks for the great pictures!!!
The family member who decided to stop for a beer, I bet felt so bad afterwards!! LOL!
big Hugs My friend!
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