
Little
Dover Island is another world. It is largely barrens - low ground cover
around the many glacial erratics and granite bedrock slabs. The thin
boggy soil is covered with sphagnum moss, reindeer lichens, low mats of
spreading spruce, sweet-scented crowberry, blueberries, some very small
asters and goldenrod. It is an austere beauty.

The island is actually several islands with narrow passages between them. It made for enjoyable exploring.

Above,
the far end of the island, with the inevitable ledges and shoals
extending out from the tip. This side of the island was sheltered from
the winds that day. The other side was a whole other matter.

I
decided to stay on the island that night, and set about finding
somewhere - anywhere - to land the boat. It wasn't easy. Rock cliff or
jumble is the rule. At last I chose this location, just inside one of
the passages. It gave me plenty of access to ramble and explore.

Above, this is the view from just above the campsite.

Myself, enjoying the view.

Sunset on the white granite.

The
North Atlantic is not the Bay of Anything or the Gulf of Anything. It
feels big, powerful. I slept on the decision to go south again until
weather was more fitting.
next page