riverpirate photography newsletter

7/30/2019 Riverpirate Photography Newsletter

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Riverpirate Photography

Crossing bridges

FateIf the folks at Atlanticade

awarded frequent rider miles

for the most Confederation

Bridge crossings by one

motorcycle during the week

of Atlanticade , Max may

very well have won the prize.

Max (short for Maxine) is my

2005 HD Sportster 1200 C.

From the time I found out I

was on days off when

Atlanticade was on, all I could

think about was how I could

make it so the four of us could

all have the chance to go and

and experience all Atlanticade

had to offer. I couldnt get the

the idea out of my head, as crazy as it sounded; three trips from Halifax to PEI in four days, but something in the back of

my mind kept driving me, convincing me it was an excellent idea. Thankfully, my partner Robyn and my two sons though

it was a great idea as well.My oldest son Eric and I went on Thursday, we participated in the Parade of Iron Horses, and I took a ton of pics of bikes o

all shapes and sizes. One bike in particular stood out from the rest. One conversation, as well.

Eric and I headed to Fall River the next morning and Andre jumped aboard. We headed for the Pictou ferry, which was a

lost cause, then took the long ride from Pictou to Summerside. We spent some time at Credit Union Place, saw some sights

took some more pics, and rode around the town.

On Saturday morning, Andre and I headed to Fall River, and after a brief break in the action, Robyn and I took the scenic

route through the Wentworth Valley, and yet again, another trip across the Confederation Bridge. All I could hear was

Sonny and Chers I got you Babe from the movie Groundhog Day playing in my head. Add in the Saturday night

Confederation Bridge Cruise, and by the time we left the island on Monday, Max and I had crossed the Northumberland

Strait eight times. Add in the touring around on Prince Edward Island and Max (and my backside) travelled over 2500

kilometers in four days.The rides there, back, and during were fantastic, the weather terrific, the people wonderful, and the bikes oh the bikes.

Every make, every paint colour imaginable, , every type of rider and passengers (human, canine, and stuffed), the decals,

the chromeoh the chrome. It was all breathtaking. But still, after all was said and done, one bike stood out from it all.

The concept for this was originally to be a newsletter and I had intended to present it to the CAVs and the organizers of

Atlanticade in time for Remembrance day. A little voice in my head (not Sonny or Cher) told me to wait, and I learned a

long time ago not to argue with the inner voice. Three days later I got the email that made everything clear, and let me

know I was right to have listened.

Paul Harnish


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Atlanticade 2012 A Tribute to heroes

In the heart of each of us beats the love of a soldier. For some the bond is

genetic; for many it is vicarious. Atlanticade 2012 reinforced for me and

many others in attendance, the magnitude of the sacrifice our men and

women in uniform past and present have made, especially those who

gave their lives standing in harms way while the rest of us prayed from

afar. While awaiting the start of the parade from the Curling Club to

Credit Union place I had the opportunity to speak with and photograph

some of my fellow participants and their rides. It was there I met a grey

bearded ponytailed gentleman and his partners, and I got a few shots of

his Olive green Harley Davidson, complete with sidecar. He spoke to me

like we were old friends, and he told of amassing over 200,000 kms on

his many trips across this great country of ours. He spoke and wore the

colours of the Canadian Army Veterans, aka the Cavs.

After the parade arrived at Credit Union Place, my son Eric and I found

our way through the standing room only grandstand area to a spot by a

fence that gave us an unobstructed view of the stage. The crowd listened

intently as the emcee introduced Paul Trapper Cane, National

President of the CAV motorcycle units and I watched my recent

acquaintance walk with his head held high, and make his way to centre

stage, gently supported by the cane I never noticed earlier.

When he spoke, gone was the mild quiet tone I listened to earlier,

replaced by a thunderous voice of strength that boomed with pride at

having had the honour to have served this great country of ours in

uniform, and to continue to serve our fallen. He spoke of fallen heroes,

crossing and building bridges, and of a mothers mixture of tears of

sadness and laughter as she rode with him and the memory of her sonon the Highway of Heroes.

As he began his walk of pride from the stage, the reverence was

deafening, the lumps in our throats thick, the watery eyes saying it all.

I managed to squeak out a hoarse Wow, and Eric managed a Yeah.

That was fine with me; Trapper Cane said what was important.

The lump in my throat came back Nov. 11 at Kearl Lake Alberta where

over 5000 oil sands workers were silent in respect to those who made the

sacrifice.

The lump came back on Nov. 14th, when I got the email, and realized

what that little voice was telling me.


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Nicks Victory

The bike stood out from the rest. It was the one I went back to again andagain. When I got home, it was those images I reviewed and edited first,not that they needed much editing; the bike was magnificent and it shotwell. These were the first images I showed anyone who was interested.All were in agreement, the machine was stunning, the plaque beautifuldespite not knowing the history behind it.

The email came in Nov. 14th

while I was at work in Northern Albertafrom a lady in PEI, stating she had seen some of the images I hadtaken during Atlanticade of her husbands motorcycle, a Victory

Jackpot, customized with one stunning accessory; a side coverplaque she said was in memory of their nephew Nick.Corporal Nick Ashley Bulger, 3rd Batallion PPCLI died Friday,

July 3rd, 2009 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan after his armouredvehicle struck an IED. He was thirty years of age when he died and was the 121st Canadian soldier killed inAfghanistan.Nick Bulger left behind a wife and two daughters, a mother, a sister, and two brothers, several aunts, uncles,and other family.He will be forever remembered; his sacrifice will never be forgotten.


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Riverpirate Photography

Cole Harbour, N.Swww.riverpiratephotography.blogspot.com

[email protected]

Atlanticade 2012
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