We did a long driving stretch, getting lunch at Deer Lake and carrying on to Rocky Harbour. On the way, we stopped in at Gros Morne Visitor Centre. Our B&B is very nice, overlooking the ocean. We got the guest cottage. 
Monday 30 June 2014
Monday, June 30
Leaving our hotel, we headed north on the 410. The road was horrible. It alternated between potholes, gravel and construction. We arrived at FLEUR DE LYS before opening so we filled the time doing the Ocean View trail. Amazingly, the trail overlooked a gigantic, beautifully shaped iceberg. The reason we drove up here was for the Soapstone quarry that was used by native peoples many years ago. It was interesting the way they hacked sections of rock off the rock face.
We did a long driving stretch, getting lunch at Deer Lake and carrying on to Rocky Harbour. On the way, we stopped in at Gros Morne Visitor Centre. Our B&B is very nice, overlooking the ocean. We got the guest cottage. 
We did a long driving stretch, getting lunch at Deer Lake and carrying on to Rocky Harbour. On the way, we stopped in at Gros Morne Visitor Centre. Our B&B is very nice, overlooking the ocean. We got the guest cottage.
Sunday, June 29
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR. The Salmonid Interpretive Centre is a salmon ladder that was constructed to enable salmon to go up the Exploits River further. Each fish is counted at this site and then the gate is lifted for the fish to go up stream. We saw quite a few salmon waiting to go upriver. 
Provincial Loggers Museum was unique. Our guide was interesting and informative and the replica logging camp was well done.
On the way to Baie Verte we stopped in at SPRINGDALE to see the salmon jumping but unfortunately, no salmon felt like entertaining us. Our room in Baie Verte was ok but the three stars seemed kind of generous. Only one short night stay here. 
Provincial Loggers Museum was unique. Our guide was interesting and informative and the replica logging camp was well done.
On the way to Baie Verte we stopped in at SPRINGDALE to see the salmon jumping but unfortunately, no salmon felt like entertaining us. Our room in Baie Verte was ok but the three stars seemed kind of generous. Only one short night stay here. 
Sunday 29 June 2014
Saturday, June 28
BOYD'S COVE. Beothuk Interpretive Site was our first stop. The Beothuk were native peoples that died out in 1929. The archeology site and centre tells as much as they know about the lives of these people. They became extinct due to contact with the European settlers.
TWILLINGATE. As we drove over the causeway, we were greeted with the best view of icebergs we have seen to date. I lost count but the largest one had a very unique shape. Car after car stopped behind us to take photos.
Auk Island winery had a little lunch, sandwich and ice cream, bar that we took advantage of and then signed up for the winery tour. This winery makes berry wines and some berry/grape blends (grapes are from Quebec). Wine tastings were included with our tour admission so we tasted and enjoyed a few wines each.
In the opposite direction from the winery was the Long Point Lighthouse. More icbergs were here and since the water was so clear the two large ones bases could be seen.
The bay was full of icebergs but they seem to be melting in this heat. It seems that around every corner is another more breathtaking view.
We sat and relaxed at a rest stop beside the water for a while, just taking in the ambience. On the way home we stopped at a restaurant which served fresh lobsters. Both Carl and I ate a lobster (can you believe it?) for dinner.
It was very tasty and nice sitting on the wharf eating. The people seated behind us were from Tottenham (small world).
Score: Icebergs - lots ; whales - sort of; puffins - yes ; moose - 0; lobster dinner - yes; potholes - lots; warning signs for potholes - lots.
TWILLINGATE. As we drove over the causeway, we were greeted with the best view of icebergs we have seen to date. I lost count but the largest one had a very unique shape. Car after car stopped behind us to take photos.
Auk Island winery had a little lunch, sandwich and ice cream, bar that we took advantage of and then signed up for the winery tour. This winery makes berry wines and some berry/grape blends (grapes are from Quebec). Wine tastings were included with our tour admission so we tasted and enjoyed a few wines each.
In the opposite direction from the winery was the Long Point Lighthouse. More icbergs were here and since the water was so clear the two large ones bases could be seen.
The bay was full of icebergs but they seem to be melting in this heat. It seems that around every corner is another more breathtaking view.
We sat and relaxed at a rest stop beside the water for a while, just taking in the ambience. On the way home we stopped at a restaurant which served fresh lobsters. Both Carl and I ate a lobster (can you believe it?) for dinner.
It was very tasty and nice sitting on the wharf eating. The people seated behind us were from Tottenham (small world).
Score: Icebergs - lots ; whales - sort of; puffins - yes ; moose - 0; lobster dinner - yes; potholes - lots; warning signs for potholes - lots.
Saturday 28 June 2014
Friday, June 27
Terra Nova National Park was our destination with several interesting hikes in the guide.We stopped to see what the campgrounds were like and a few mosquitos slipped into our car but, they are much larger than ours. At the visitor center we were told that the mosquitos were really bad now and since we did not feel like being mosquito bait we moved on to GAMBO. On the way our of the park we stopped at a demo forest plot that showed the damage the moose are doing to the forests in the area. Basically, the moose eat everything and the grounds are decimated. In Gambo, we found the Joey Smallwood staue, skipped the Smallwood Interpretation Centre and headed for Joey's lookout. One enterprising Newfoundlander who lostmhis job in Ontario, set up a hot dog and hamburger stand at this location so, we gave him a helping hand and had a quick lunch there. 
The Rotary Club in GANDER have created a 3 km boardwalk around Cobb Pond which provided us a nice walk in thr sun this afternoon before the drive to NOTRE DAME JUNCTION for the night.
The Bluewater Lodge and Resort was quite a surprise; 1.5 km off the highway on a gravel road led us to a huge log home. We discovered that the owners did much of the work themselves after moving here from Toronto via Calgary. There is one great room for eating and relaxing and the bedrooms are off to one side for quiet and privacy. Very interesting talking tomthe owners and other guests.
Only problem is this place does not have internet so I am at McDonald's in Lewisporte and one day behind on the blog.
The Rotary Club in GANDER have created a 3 km boardwalk around Cobb Pond which provided us a nice walk in thr sun this afternoon before the drive to NOTRE DAME JUNCTION for the night.
The Bluewater Lodge and Resort was quite a surprise; 1.5 km off the highway on a gravel road led us to a huge log home. We discovered that the owners did much of the work themselves after moving here from Toronto via Calgary. There is one great room for eating and relaxing and the bedrooms are off to one side for quiet and privacy. Very interesting talking tomthe owners and other guests.
Only problem is this place does not have internet so I am at McDonald's in Lewisporte and one day behind on the blog.
Thursday 26 June 2014
Thursday, June 26
The theatre was great fun. The play was called The Pillow Trade. It was a comedy, lasted about an hour and kept us entertained the entire time. The actors did a great job. This morning was interesting because we went to New Bonaventure to see the movie site where the mini-series Random Passage was filmed. It gave a very realistic picture of life at that time. Now, I have to rent the show.
Upon returning to TRINITY, we made good use of our Seasons Pass and visited three more Historic buildings and two churches.
The inside of the Roman Catholic church is the oldest wooden church in Newfoundland.
The rest our day will be uneventful and tomorrow we leave Trinity to head further west. Two weeks left and yes, I saw another iceberg today. Yay!
Upon returning to TRINITY, we made good use of our Seasons Pass and visited three more Historic buildings and two churches.
The inside of the Roman Catholic church is the oldest wooden church in Newfoundland.
The rest our day will be uneventful and tomorrow we leave Trinity to head further west. Two weeks left and yes, I saw another iceberg today. Yay!
Wednesday 25 June 2014
Wednesday, June 25
Sophia's restaurant provided a breakfast buffet with choices of bacon, eggs, oatmeal, cereal and fruit salad. We didn't leave there hungry.
Headed north on the Bonavista Peninsula stopping first at ELLISTON where visitor information pointed us to Puffin viewing. Walking out onto the point we found an island covered with puffins.
We bird watched for a while and headed for Elliston's lookout point. Here as we gazed at the scenery, we spotted spouts of water out in the bay. This was as much of the whales that we could see, even with our binoculars. We did however see many root cellars in Elliston. It is the 'root cellar capital of the world'.
Driving north to BONAVISTA, I counted 9 icebergs as we drove down to the bay. Dungeon Provincial Park provided views of rugged coastline, an iceberg and strangely, horses.
At the Cape Bonavista lighthouse, there was icebergs aplenty but, no whale and no puffins, despite the signs advertising this. See video below.
From scenery to history, we stopped in at the Mockbeggar (means muddy flats) Plantation. This restored home belonged to Gordon Bradley, who was instrumental in getting Newfoundland to join confederation.
The Ryan Premises Historic National Site filled the rest of our afternoon with exhibits about the history of cod fishingand about the cod fishing moratorium. By this time, the day had turned rainy and since we have tickets to the theatre we called it a day.
We bird watched for a while and headed for Elliston's lookout point. Here as we gazed at the scenery, we spotted spouts of water out in the bay. This was as much of the whales that we could see, even with our binoculars. We did however see many root cellars in Elliston. It is the 'root cellar capital of the world'.
Driving north to BONAVISTA, I counted 9 icebergs as we drove down to the bay. Dungeon Provincial Park provided views of rugged coastline, an iceberg and strangely, horses.
At the Cape Bonavista lighthouse, there was icebergs aplenty but, no whale and no puffins, despite the signs advertising this. See video below.
From scenery to history, we stopped in at the Mockbeggar (means muddy flats) Plantation. This restored home belonged to Gordon Bradley, who was instrumental in getting Newfoundland to join confederation.
The Ryan Premises Historic National Site filled the rest of our afternoon with exhibits about the history of cod fishingand about the cod fishing moratorium. By this time, the day had turned rainy and since we have tickets to the theatre we called it a day.
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Tuesday, June 24
Began our day with a drive and a hike at NORMAN'S COVE. As usual, the scenery was spectacular.
ARNOLD'S COVE boasted about a bird sanctuary which sounded interesting but, when we arrived we saw only about two birds.
High above Arnold's Cove was signed the Placentia Bay Lookout Point. Driving up the hill on a very narrow and rough road made us wonder if we going to the right place. At the end we found a stunning view of the bay and the oil refinery tanks (not so nice).
We had lunch, picked up some more snacks, fruit and beer in CLARENVILLE and then drove on to TRINITY. We checked in, were shown our room, checked out the Visitor Centre, booked theatre tickets for tomorrow night and then sat on the deck to enjoy the sunny day. We are staying at Kelly's Landing but have to go to Sophia's restaurant for breakfast tomorrow.
ARNOLD'S COVE boasted about a bird sanctuary which sounded interesting but, when we arrived we saw only about two birds.
High above Arnold's Cove was signed the Placentia Bay Lookout Point. Driving up the hill on a very narrow and rough road made us wonder if we going to the right place. At the end we found a stunning view of the bay and the oil refinery tanks (not so nice).
We had lunch, picked up some more snacks, fruit and beer in CLARENVILLE and then drove on to TRINITY. We checked in, were shown our room, checked out the Visitor Centre, booked theatre tickets for tomorrow night and then sat on the deck to enjoy the sunny day. We are staying at Kelly's Landing but have to go to Sophia's restaurant for breakfast tomorrow.
Monday 23 June 2014
Monday, June 23
A lovely bacon and egg breakfast was enjoyed by the four of us guests and then Carl and I headed north on the peninsula to BAY DE VERDE. The view from the highway along the coast was breathtaking. At Bay de Verde we spent several hours at the Heritage Premises. Your admission covers a tour, a tea and a talk. In addition to the main house we explored a boardwalk down to the ocean passing by a root cellar and an old fish store and flake. 
This town has a crab and shrimp processing plant that adds a salty flavour to the air (it smells). Apparently, the crab is all shipped to Japan and the shrimp are packed and sold under the 'Northland' logo. This visit was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours on a sunny day.
GRATES COVE is at the very top of the penninsula and, although pretty, the only point of interest was the historic site. There are fences of stacked rocks in the fields and lined up the hillsides. Theses were old field markers made by early settlers to mark their piece of land.
HEART'S CONTENT houses the Historic Cable Station where the transatlantic cable joined Canada to Ireland so morse code messages could be sent across the ocean.
In WHITEWAY we had a nice dinner at Brown's and then settled in for the night at Legge's Sunset Inn. More interesting was the iceberg that was just off the shore from here. 
This town has a crab and shrimp processing plant that adds a salty flavour to the air (it smells). Apparently, the crab is all shipped to Japan and the shrimp are packed and sold under the 'Northland' logo. This visit was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours on a sunny day.
GRATES COVE is at the very top of the penninsula and, although pretty, the only point of interest was the historic site. There are fences of stacked rocks in the fields and lined up the hillsides. Theses were old field markers made by early settlers to mark their piece of land.
HEART'S CONTENT houses the Historic Cable Station where the transatlantic cable joined Canada to Ireland so morse code messages could be sent across the ocean.
In WHITEWAY we had a nice dinner at Brown's and then settled in for the night at Legge's Sunset Inn. More interesting was the iceberg that was just off the shore from here. 
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