NL#8: Bergy Bits to Big Bergs!

Roadside View

Here we are in Red Bay, Labrador:

Day 6: June 20, 2017

This was a banner morning of firsts.

First Moose pic (third Moose):

First Bergy Bits:

First Big Bergs:

First beach glass:

First Black-backed Woodpecker (Life Bird):

We drove north to Ship Cove and were directed to a great lookout (‘up the road, not to Cape Onion, out past the cemetery, onto the hill…ya can’t miss it”):

Not only were there icebergs, there was also a miniature village David had read about on Facebook:

This itty bitty lighthouse was overlooking this itty bitty iceberg:

On our way to Raleigh, we got these woodpile and ditch garden examples:

then were awestruck by this garden of bergy bits in the cove:

Here’s the Cat’s Eye View of our lunch spot:

We saw Moose #4 on our way to L’Anse aux Meadows (and #5 on our way back) and did the free pass tour of the site. We were alone with the Vikings and enjoyed the warmth from the propane fire (they burned through the roof two years ago and now use gas). And learned “the fewest words to describe the most things in Newfoundland”: “arn or narn” (in relationship to if there are or are not any fish!)."

There were so many icebergs today; our eyes are full. Here are a few more:

Here’s a view of the campsite three over:

Day 7: June 21, 2017

We headed back to St. Anthony, saw Moose #6, and got to the Fox Point Lighthouse IN THE SUN!. And there were icebergs and whales!

We got supplies and drove to Goose Cove and walked the trail for more icebergs:

and had lunch in Great Brehat before heading back to Flower’s Cove as the fog started to build. We spent a quiet night on our favourite secret spot and booked the ferry to Labrador for tomorrow.

Too foggy for a view!

Day 8: June 22, 2017

We had time to visit the Thrombolites before heading to the ferry:

There was a large family gathering, often in tears and hugging, along with an ambulance. We tried to figure it all out. Though we had decided they were returning to Labrador with the body of a loved one for burial, we later saw (since we were the last vehicle off the ferry) that the ambulance had a very alive though old and infirm Granny. We’ll never know now.

We drove to the falls in Bras D’Or thinking we’d boondock there:

but ended up at the Ile aux Perroquets (Puffin Island) and were happy to watch the large icebergs just offshore. This one was COVERED in Puffins as was the surrounding water. Amazing:

Here’s the view from my chair:

Day 9: June 23, 2017

Despite the arse who honked his horn twice on the highway behind us and the yowling prowling cat outside (neither of which disturbed OUR cat), we had a good night and woke to 15 icebergs in our view!

We saw more and more large icebergs as we travelled along the coast. this definitely is Iceberg Alley as advertised:

At L’Anse-au-Loup, we stopped for some beachcombing:

and got to Pinware Provincial Park (2 nights, no services, senior $26.20) before lunch. They had just opened Friday and all the tent sites were still closed. But the washrooms were freshly painted, and we got Site 16 with an amazing view of icebergs.

It was nice to stay put, look:

walk:

gather glass (yep, that’s snow):

and enjoy the glorious view from my chair:

Day 10: June 24, 2017

A nice quiet, if chilly, night. It’s damp and dreary and quite cold (it is summer after all). But, it’s Labrador!

We drove to the Red Bay National Historic Site for another free pass tour. Truman, our advisor, from a former visit, on cooking an Eider: “stuff ‘er full of Stove Top and stick ‘er in the oven”, took us over to Saddle Island and the Basque Whaling Site. We walked some and took some pictures:

and got back before the rain and the tour bus full from Vermont.

Back home to rain! After relaxing, I took another beachwalk and ended the day with this Cat’s Eye View from my chair:

Newfoundland #8 (NL #8): Bailieboro to Bergs

Roadside View

This is a new feature, named for our new Roadtrek Motorhome. It will feature a view FROM or OF our MoHo. This time, it’s a view of our first iceberg as we travelled north near Green Island Cove on the Viking Trail:

Day 1: June 15, 2017

It has been a tough year of health-related issues which are now mostly resolved. We had a shortened Fall trip and no Winter trip, so we were delighted to leave for five weeks in our special place, Newfoundland and Labrador. And, we are in our new Roadtrek. We’ve had two short trips (to Presquile, Long Point and Algonquin Provincial Parks in Ontario), but this is the first “biggy”

Day 1 featured a smooth, mostly traffic-free ride all the way to de la Republique Provincial Park near Edmunston, New Brunswick (Site #105, No Services, $25.20 Senior). David said the MoHo was easy to drive and easy on fuel.

Day 2: June 16, 2017

it was a sunny, fast, smooth drive through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia: no traffic and no Moose (though four Deer). We saw our first East Coast Lupins near Perth-Andover and, again, laughed at the “No Trespassing” and “Please Close Gate After Use” signs along the Moose Barrier fences. We got to St. Peter’s Canal, a favourite free campsite, and settled in for the night, watching the locals fish for Mackeral. At one point, I looked out, and there was David being coached!

He caught three on his first cast. and no one caught any more, especially after I showed up with my camera. This wounded Gannet hoped for more!

Here’s the view of our campsite:

Day 3: June 17, 2017

We were up early and had an easy drive to North Sydney, directly into the Ferry Terminal. There were more of the usual chats with those lined up near us, especially the motorcyclists. We boarded and left on time in a ship about 1/2 full. We met Cathy and Dave from Manitoba, on their first trip to Newfoundland, and enjoyed their company and the chance to recommend some favourite places for them to visit.

We landed about 6:30 in the rain, found our favourite Port-aux-Basques boondock and breathed a sigh of relief to be safely in this beautiful place.

Day 4: June 18, 2017

What promised to be a miserable day turned in to being a mix of sun, clouds and drizzle. There was even snow in the mountains.

We took advantage of our free 150 Anniversary National Park Pass and visited the Lobster Cove Lighthouse:

and the Broom Point Fishing Exhibit:

These place which preserve the lives of former Newfoundlanders really touch me. And, at the Broom exhibit, we also saw a colony of Common Eiders and other water birds:

A quick trip further north found us at The Arches where we chatted with a Saskatchewan couple who has a business selling Snowy Owl Photo Tours to the rich of Europe and, especially, China. Hmmm… I was accompanied on my post-dinner walk by two Pine Grosbeaks:

…and we enjoyed this quiet view from my chair:

Day 5: June 19, 2017

it was a dreary morning, so we decided to forgo some visits and head towards St. Anthony.

We passed 14 Motorhomes in a “Yankee On Tour” Caravan (nothing could appeal less!) and decided to stop at Port aux Choix for another “free” National Park visit. But it was so foggy and the road was so bad that we decided to turn around and head further north. We did stop in Port Saunders for some fishing wharf shots:

Our lunch spot near Castor’s River South featured beach, fog and snow: another typical Newfoundland sight! and we met another Saskatchewan couple. the Wild West is invading the Wild East!

The ditch gardens were mostly dug along the way, and the woodpiles are mostly complete for next winter. I’ll get some photos on our way back.

Typically, we got to St. Anthony in the fog, having seen one Moose (our current count is two Moose and one Mink). We saw one iceberg before the fog came in:

…and decided to head to Pistolet Bay Provincial Park (#21, No Services, $58.70 for two nights, including a Park Pass, Senior).

The view from my chair promises Moose or Caribou sightings (ha!):