An ode to the iceberg

It’s been three years since I moved downtown, and it’s been three years since I’ve seen any icebergs around the city. I remember that morning when I drew back the window’s curtains to see a massive berg floating in The Narrows, just beyond St. John’s harbour. The best room with a view.

At first, I never cared about them. Giant blocks of ice playing idle on the Atlantic – what’s so special about that?

But then you find yourself in an iceberg’s presence, and it immediately commands your respect. Like some solemn but unearthly energy is being pulled up from the swells of the ocean, forced out of the greatest depths to beat around the ice. Don’t get too close, it warns.

You will find no rowdy, carousing spectators watching an iceberg sit in the ocean. Those who observe are silent and still, as if any decibel of noise will cause the berg to calve or roll. It might, actually.

And when you’re there, you’re thinking about how much it’s seen as it made its way down through Iceberg Alley, taking a year-long journey from Greenland or the Canadian Arctic Islands, carried south on the Labrador current. It’s felt the passage of time like we all do, 15,000 years of it. But it had grown weary, and broke away.

But now we all come to sit, stand, and observe. Snap photos, and even climb it.

And when we’re done with all that, we’ll make vodka.

  • April 20 2012

    Great piece….Being a Florida boy, I would be mesmerized by icebergs…

    • April 26 2012

      Even those who have lived here forever are still amazed!

  • April 20 2012

    I’d love to come face-to-face with an iceberg someday. When I do, I’ll think of what you wrote here today.

    Priyanka

    • April 26 2012

      Make it a life goal, it’s worth it!

  • April 21 2012

    What a serene picture..so serene I want to take a shot of vodka too!!

    Cathy Trails

    • April 26 2012

      Hahaha, don’t forget the iceberg beer…and gin…

  • April 21 2012

    Candice, this is a beautiful post! You obviously are passionate about your home and icebergs. And I must travel to Canada to see one! :)

    • April 26 2012

      SO worth it! Especially if you’re lucky enough to witness one roll.

  • April 21 2012

    Beautiful shot! We’re going to be in St. John’s in August. That’s too late to see an iceberg, isn’t it?

    • April 26 2012

      It might not be! Last year the season didn’t even really start until August. The world’s all crazy.

  • April 21 2012
    Susan

    Mmmmmm….that post was gorgeous.

    I still lament that there were no icebergs off the coast of Buena Vista the day that we were there. It was the perfect bright blue day and we could see for miles but you can’t command an iceberg and I appreciate that. They’re creatures from another time, like a mastodon wandering by when you’re out for a walk. It’s fitting that those who live on the edge of the world get to witness their passage.

    • April 26 2012

      “It’s fitting that those who live on the edge of the world get to witness their passage.” I like that. :)

  • April 21 2012

    This was beautiful to read! Your words perfectly capture the awe that one must feel when seeing an iceberg, something that not many people get to see, in their “front yard.” Loved it! =)

    • April 26 2012

      Thanks, Cam! I’m seriously blessed to have that experience.

  • April 21 2012

    Man, that really is a great shot, Candice! I hope you’re having a great weekend too!

  • April 23 2012

    On the rocks.
    :)

  • April 24 2012

    Wow, this is awesome, I actually can’t imagine seeing something like this, being from Australia and currently residing in SCORCHING Thailand. I love this, “what’s so special about that?” It’s amazing what we get used to hey? The only icebergs I’m used to are floating in my drink. Lovely post.

    • April 26 2012

      Exactly, and the more I travel the more I’m aware of those things that make home so special. Thanks for reading!

  • April 26 2012

    That’s pretty trippy. I didn’t know icebergs just cruise like that. I figured you had to be way out in the sea to see one.

    • April 26 2012

      Nope! Although the biggest and most badass ones are usually up around Labrador…they lose a lot of their mass as they travel (naturally).

  • April 26 2012
    elleny

    beautiful photo, beautiful writing…

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