Gadling Audio Slideshow: Newfoundland Part I

by Erik Olsen on

Ok, folks, trying something a little different here. I’ll try to do a print version as well (though much shorter), but thought I’d pull together some photos and such from my Newfoundland trip into a tight little audio slideshow.

I added some (very) cheesy music and did a somewhat spontaneous voice over, but I think it gives a nice visual feel for the place. I’m going to try and find the time to do one for several of the days I was there, including the two days I spent kayaking outside of St.. John’s and Trinity.

So, click here and check it out and feel free to post comments if you enjoyed it.

Photo of the Day (7/25/2006)

by Erik Olsen on

Sorry folks, assuming executive privilege today and giving the Photo of the Day to myself. Yup, had to do it .I am flush with giddiness after coming back from vacation and have lots of photos to share. In fact, if you haven’t already check out my audio slide show, I hope you do so now. It’s simple, music is hokey, but it’s fun. And as far as the photo, this was taken in Cape Broyle, Newfoundland, where I hooked up with a wonderful outfitter named Stan Cook.

Paddling Greenland

by Erik Olsen on

If there’s one place I’ve long wanted to go paddling, it’s Greenland. The place just seems like such a pristine and largely unexplored space. Granted, there’s likely nothing there. Greenland isn’t really green, after all. It’s white.

But I know that the paddling there offers exposure to everything from icebergs to whales and great fishing. This piece in the Christian Science Moitor confirms my notions that it’s a great place to paddle. Gotta look into this one.

Newfoundland Adventure: a Preface

by Erik Olsen on


I am sitting in a hotel room in St. John’s Newfoundland right now, getting ready to head back to the states. I’ve been here for over a week, and have gawked at the astounding landscapes, endured several rather brutal rain storms, savored many a plate of fish and chips, and kayaked glacial-chilled seas while meeting whales, puffins and eagles face to face…or face to beak for that matter. I have one word about this place: amazing. It is beautiful and rugged and gaping and…wait, that’s more than one word.

Anyway, my computer here is loaded down with photos of the last week, during which I got to see an ample, but in all reality rather small, portion of this incredible Canadian province. I plan to provide an informative, photo-illustrated look back on this trip, but right now must head out to board a plane. So in the meantime, I offer this photo of my sea kayaking adventure from two days ago to whet the appetite. Will write more soon.

Kayaking Manhattan

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m infringing on Erik’s beat with this post, but seeing as he is heading north to go kayaking and will probably miss this article, I thought I’d point it out to the kayakers in the crowd.

Today’s kayak piece comes to us from The Sunday Times in the UK. British landlubber Matt Rudd journeys across the pond and discovers one of the rare locations for peace and solitude in busy Manhattan; kayaking on the Hudson.

Rudd, however, is not an experienced kayaker and when he calls the fine people at the Manhattan Kayak Company and asks if the Hudson is a good place to learn, he gets this hilarious response.

“Well, gee, let’s think about it. In one direction, you got the mile-wide Hudson. In the other, you got 3,000 miles of Atlantic tidal power. They meet where you’re gonna go paddling. So waddayuthink?”

Rudd still manages to give it a shot, however, and bags what sounds like an incredible experience most people would never expect to find in Manhattan.