Magdalen Islands through Galen’s Lens
What better way to celebrate graduation than taking Galen on one of his dream photography tours, and his partner Cai on one of their dream naturalist tours? The first photos below are taken by me, mostly to give contrast to the stunning quality and artistry that is Galen Juliusson Photography.
We finish the graduation bonanza with a unique and juicy Acadian experience - a full fresh local lobster feast with all of Cai's family in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. The two sets of grandparents have side-by-side oceanfront cottages, and they generously make room for us to sleep over and enjoy yet another big-family breakfast after a very chilly sunrise swim in the Northumberland Straight.
Prince Edward Island
After a fond farewell to the big family, we stuff Galen, Zekiah and Cai in the back of our EV and cross the 8-mile bridge (the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters) to Prince Edward Island for a few days of rest, discovery, sand-dune and beach walks, and simply enjoying our growin'up children. And yes, we stay in Cavendish just a few miles from the Anne of Green Gables homestead.
Magdalen Islands
Zekiah has to fly back to Philadelphia to visit friends and collect Stuff for his summer internship in Minnesota, so we're down to just the graduates and us on the 5-hour ferry ride to Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine. The 12 islands of this Quebec archipelago, connected by sand spits, are just 126 kilometres (78 mi) in combined area, and rarely rise above 30 metres (98 ft) high.
Less than 15,000 people inhabit these islands, mostly francophone Acadians. We're still before high tourist season, so we're allowed to rent a beachside cottage for less than a week, and often have the dunes and trails to ourselves. Here's a just a few more of my photos to share a few story tidbits.
Galen's Photos of the Magdalen Islands
And now for the main event, here's a small selection of the beauty and power that Galen captured.
Cold Wet Love
Sarah and I have a long fond history of me going for cold swims, then sharing the wet Joy in a loving embrace. We reenacted this beloved ritual here in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to show Galen the depth of my love for his mother, and the depth of her tolerance of his father. Galen, of course, took it all in through his graduation gifts - new camera and lens. (Click on the photo below to see the dramatic 13-second slideshow.)
Subscribe now to get an email notification when a new post is published.
(Be sure to check your inbox to confirm your subscription.)
2 Comments
Leave a Comment
Currently in...
Philadelphia
Heading to...
Costa Rica (Monteverde) till Christmas, then Thailand (Chiang Mai), Vietnam (Hoi Ann, Feb-Mar). Please share any sites, people or ideas by email.
This was all lovely, seeing the family together, in Canada!, Galen’s amazing fotos, and the cold wet video. Just lovely!
wow what a sweet treat Art