Day 14 and 15: Gros Morne to Barachois Pond Provincial Park to V.T Cheeseman Provincial Park
Easy day traveling between camgrounds. Mostly beach days when the sun is shining.
Day 16: Ferry to Sydney, Nova Scotia
Currently waiting in line at the terminal to board the ferry (3hr. 45min late!)
About Me
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Post 3
Day 9: Ferry to Newfoundland
A leisurely morning spent cleaning the camper and doing laundry at the KOA “Kampground.” After some local sightseeing we headed to the ferry terminal at North Sydney. We were instructed to get into one of the numerous lanes with the camper. Once in line you shut off the motor and essentially have a tailgate party with other campers, motorcyclists, truckers and locals. The tourism office has some local Scottish highland dancers and singers performing folk dance and music in an outdoor stage adjacent to the “parking lot.”
The ferry crossing was nice in that we had a 4 bunk room with bath and shower to escape to from the deck and indoor public areas. Dinner was buffet style and actually very well done! It was, of course, the best part of the day for Maddy and Eric.
We arrived in Newfoundland around 12:30 pm local time (they’re 30 minutes ahead of Nova Scotia and 1:30 ahead of us on the east coast). Camping was easy - all the RV’s just pulled off at the tourist info station located just off the ferry and we “boon docked” there for the night - no charge of course!
Day 10: Channel-Port-aux Basques to Gros Morne National Park
A very early start today got us to Gros Morne for lunch. We hiked to the famous Tablelands where rock from below the earth’s crust was thrust upwards on top of upper layers when Africa, Eurasia and N. America collided over 250 million years ago. It’s the best example in the world of ultra-mafic rock that is so easily accessible. The kids enjoyed playing in the waterfalls at trails end more than the geology but what can one expect?
We camped at Trout River Pond and attended an evening “cultural” program at the Trout River Cove Beach. We all had to sing-a-long with some local musicians playing Newfi toons.
Day 11: Gros Morne all day!
The boat tour at Western Brook Pond was rumored to be a “can’t miss” activity. After a 45 minute wake-up hike in to the west edge of the “Pond” we were met by a tour company that runs a small generator-powered outpost complete with dock and boat. The ten mile ride to the east end of the lake took us through 1000-2000 foot sheer cliffs on both sides. The lakes depth only feet away from the cliffs was 450 feet! The lake was a fiord at one time that had been cut off from the nearby ocean by glacial rebound. Numerous waterfalls fell 1000’s feet down towards us as we made our way. At one point a moose was spotted on the nearby shore. It had no escape up the cliffs and must have swam all the way up the lake.
We spent the night at the Shallow Bay Campground in Cow Head.
Day 12: Cow Head to L’Anse aux Meadows
A five hour drive brought us to the northern tip of Newfoundland this morning. We toured the famous site where Leif Ericson spent the winters in between his forays to the south collecting hardwood supplies to sell back in Greenland. This was the fabled “Vinland” that many had spoke of. Maddy and Eric learned how the Vikings built sod houses for shelter capable of handling the brutal winters, wove wool clothing and sail cloth on the loom, and collected iron nodules from the adjacent bog turning them into iron nails in the blacksmith hut (this was their favorite as they got to work the bellows of the furnace!)
Just down the road was another site called Norstead. Similar in nature but more aimed for the kids, an entire Viking outpost was re-enacted in an authentic yet entertaining way. I was most impressed with the massive Viking sailing vessel housed on sight. It was capable of crossing the open ocean with sail and oar. No fiberglass here - just great workmanship with wood.
Day 13: St. Anthony’s boat tour
Another early start had us on the water with Northland Discovery Boat Tours by 9am to see the sights. A cold driving rain with building winds kept many inside the small cabin until something worthwhile appeared. It didn’t take long for us to spot a small group (pod?) of humpbacks feeding. We also managed to see puffins, seals and dolphins. On the way back the seas were so rough that many became seasick (even Sue). The visit to the icebergs more than made up for the physical discomfort however. We even chomped some of the collected “bergy bits”. I learned that ice tastes the same if it’s a day old or 15,000 years old. If there’s a difference, I can’t tell.
A leisurely morning spent cleaning the camper and doing laundry at the KOA “Kampground.” After some local sightseeing we headed to the ferry terminal at North Sydney. We were instructed to get into one of the numerous lanes with the camper. Once in line you shut off the motor and essentially have a tailgate party with other campers, motorcyclists, truckers and locals. The tourism office has some local Scottish highland dancers and singers performing folk dance and music in an outdoor stage adjacent to the “parking lot.”
The ferry crossing was nice in that we had a 4 bunk room with bath and shower to escape to from the deck and indoor public areas. Dinner was buffet style and actually very well done! It was, of course, the best part of the day for Maddy and Eric.
We arrived in Newfoundland around 12:30 pm local time (they’re 30 minutes ahead of Nova Scotia and 1:30 ahead of us on the east coast). Camping was easy - all the RV’s just pulled off at the tourist info station located just off the ferry and we “boon docked” there for the night - no charge of course!
Day 10: Channel-Port-aux Basques to Gros Morne National Park
A very early start today got us to Gros Morne for lunch. We hiked to the famous Tablelands where rock from below the earth’s crust was thrust upwards on top of upper layers when Africa, Eurasia and N. America collided over 250 million years ago. It’s the best example in the world of ultra-mafic rock that is so easily accessible. The kids enjoyed playing in the waterfalls at trails end more than the geology but what can one expect?
We camped at Trout River Pond and attended an evening “cultural” program at the Trout River Cove Beach. We all had to sing-a-long with some local musicians playing Newfi toons.
Day 11: Gros Morne all day!
The boat tour at Western Brook Pond was rumored to be a “can’t miss” activity. After a 45 minute wake-up hike in to the west edge of the “Pond” we were met by a tour company that runs a small generator-powered outpost complete with dock and boat. The ten mile ride to the east end of the lake took us through 1000-2000 foot sheer cliffs on both sides. The lakes depth only feet away from the cliffs was 450 feet! The lake was a fiord at one time that had been cut off from the nearby ocean by glacial rebound. Numerous waterfalls fell 1000’s feet down towards us as we made our way. At one point a moose was spotted on the nearby shore. It had no escape up the cliffs and must have swam all the way up the lake.
We spent the night at the Shallow Bay Campground in Cow Head.
Day 12: Cow Head to L’Anse aux Meadows
A five hour drive brought us to the northern tip of Newfoundland this morning. We toured the famous site where Leif Ericson spent the winters in between his forays to the south collecting hardwood supplies to sell back in Greenland. This was the fabled “Vinland” that many had spoke of. Maddy and Eric learned how the Vikings built sod houses for shelter capable of handling the brutal winters, wove wool clothing and sail cloth on the loom, and collected iron nodules from the adjacent bog turning them into iron nails in the blacksmith hut (this was their favorite as they got to work the bellows of the furnace!)
Just down the road was another site called Norstead. Similar in nature but more aimed for the kids, an entire Viking outpost was re-enacted in an authentic yet entertaining way. I was most impressed with the massive Viking sailing vessel housed on sight. It was capable of crossing the open ocean with sail and oar. No fiberglass here - just great workmanship with wood.
Day 13: St. Anthony’s boat tour
Another early start had us on the water with Northland Discovery Boat Tours by 9am to see the sights. A cold driving rain with building winds kept many inside the small cabin until something worthwhile appeared. It didn’t take long for us to spot a small group (pod?) of humpbacks feeding. We also managed to see puffins, seals and dolphins. On the way back the seas were so rough that many became seasick (even Sue). The visit to the icebergs more than made up for the physical discomfort however. We even chomped some of the collected “bergy bits”. I learned that ice tastes the same if it’s a day old or 15,000 years old. If there’s a difference, I can’t tell.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Cape Breton
Day 6: Cape Breton, Canso Causeway to Dunvegan .
Today we made a leisurely drive north along the western coast of Cape Breton. Beaches here are sandy and the water is similar to Nauset Beach in temperature and “mung” content. We camped on the ocean at McLeods (private campground) where the kids played all afternoon on the beach while mom and dad read books and collected rocks (dad only).
Day 7: Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay
The highlight of today's outing was a 6 mile "Skyline" hike to the sea. The trail ends a thousand feet above the Bay of St. Lawrence where we saw pilot whales playing with the whale watch tours below us. On the return, we took the path less traveled and passed within 20 feet of a female moose bedded down under a pine tree. It even let us snap some photos and video. A brief thunderstorm cooled us off just before returning to the camper.
Day 8: Pleasant Bay to Sydney
After a morning hike through old growth forest, we played on the beach where Cabot, an Italian explorer sailing for the English, first landed in 1497. The famous Cabot Trail we've been driving on for the last few days is named after him.
In the afternoon we took a swim in an alpine lake and then stopped to listen to Bagpipers at a local Gaelic College.
Before finding a campground we booked our travel to and from Newfoundland at the Sydney Port. Reservations were booked five days out but we were lucky enough to catch someone elses cancellation while in line. The only catch was that we had to pay extra for a cabin...Let's just say that Sue didn't mind.
Day 9: Exploring Baddock, NS then Ferry off to Newfoundland (6pm)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Entry #2
Day 1: Canajoharie, NY to Freeport, ME
Leaving in a light rain, we traveled along the Mass Pike through New Hampshire ending in Freeport, Maine home of L.L. Bean (yes, we did stop and spent too much $$).
Day 2: Freeport, ME to St. John, NB
We pulled out of the “Desert of Maine Campground” early and in a pouring rain. After attempting to fix some camper wiring issues (still having problems blowing fuses) and getting completely soaked, we drove north Crossing into Canada at Calais, ME. No problems at the boarder except for the fact that I can never remember my license plate # and had to get out and look while everyone behind had to wait.
We spent the night in the 2,200 acre Rockwood Campground right in the heart of St. John.
(Note: The reversing falls were not reversed when we crossed them.)
Day 3: St. John, NB to Cavendish, PEI
The weather finally broke today with a brilliant sun rising over the eastern horizon and the Bay of Fundy. A short (relatively) three-hour drive brought us to the eight-mile long Confederation Bridge over to Prince Edward Island. We headed north to Cavendish and into the heart of Anne of Green Gables country.
After a brief visit to the Prince Edward Island National Seashore campground in Cavendish, we took a guided tour of the House at Green Gables. The grounds, surrounding woods, and trails were beautifully maintained. We even walked through the “Haunted Wood” to the old home-site of L.M. Montgomery, the famous author whom without her bountiful imagination, Cavendish would just be another small blip on the map.
Day 4: Beach and day of exploration
Today we spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach. Luckily, our campsite was conveniently located just across a dirt road about 50 feet away. Very nice location here on the north shore.
After a late lunch we took a drive out to the western end of PEI to see Bob Stemmle’s summer house and property. He and I were hired together at Fort Plain and he’s had this property in his family for years. It’s over 100 acres with much of it ocean waterfront. From there we forged on to the North Cape which is the farthest northwestern part of the island. The area is home to a giant wind-farm which was happily making lots of power for the duration of our visit.
Day 5: Beach and drive towards Cape Breton
This morning we stumbled back over to the beach before making our way back over the Confederation Bridge and Cape Breton. Most a driving day. Here’s some pictures…
Off to Cape Breton we go.............
Leaving in a light rain, we traveled along the Mass Pike through New Hampshire ending in Freeport, Maine home of L.L. Bean (yes, we did stop and spent too much $$).
Day 2: Freeport, ME to St. John, NB
We pulled out of the “Desert of Maine Campground” early and in a pouring rain. After attempting to fix some camper wiring issues (still having problems blowing fuses) and getting completely soaked, we drove north Crossing into Canada at Calais, ME. No problems at the boarder except for the fact that I can never remember my license plate # and had to get out and look while everyone behind had to wait.
We spent the night in the 2,200 acre Rockwood Campground right in the heart of St. John.
(Note: The reversing falls were not reversed when we crossed them.)
Day 3: St. John, NB to Cavendish, PEI
The weather finally broke today with a brilliant sun rising over the eastern horizon and the Bay of Fundy. A short (relatively) three-hour drive brought us to the eight-mile long Confederation Bridge over to Prince Edward Island. We headed north to Cavendish and into the heart of Anne of Green Gables country.
After a brief visit to the Prince Edward Island National Seashore campground in Cavendish, we took a guided tour of the House at Green Gables. The grounds, surrounding woods, and trails were beautifully maintained. We even walked through the “Haunted Wood” to the old home-site of L.M. Montgomery, the famous author whom without her bountiful imagination, Cavendish would just be another small blip on the map.
Day 4: Beach and day of exploration
Today we spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach. Luckily, our campsite was conveniently located just across a dirt road about 50 feet away. Very nice location here on the north shore.
After a late lunch we took a drive out to the western end of PEI to see Bob Stemmle’s summer house and property. He and I were hired together at Fort Plain and he’s had this property in his family for years. It’s over 100 acres with much of it ocean waterfront. From there we forged on to the North Cape which is the farthest northwestern part of the island. The area is home to a giant wind-farm which was happily making lots of power for the duration of our visit.
Day 5: Beach and drive towards Cape Breton
This morning we stumbled back over to the beach before making our way back over the Confederation Bridge and Cape Breton. Most a driving day. Here’s some pictures…
Off to Cape Breton we go.............
Monday, July 6, 2009
Here we go again...
This summer takes us northeast to the Canadian maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edwards Island as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. Tradition dictates that we have no set plans or reservations of any kind, just a general idea in mind. The only definite is that we return by the 28th of July for various appointments that would be more bother to reschedule than to keep.
More to follow.
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