Monday, August 20, 2018

Epilog- Newfoundland 2018

Our trial camping run last  fall taught us some valuable lessons; one we failed to heed was camping in the rain.  We both hate camping in the rain.  It rained four of the seven nights we camped;  three in Gros Morne.

Gros Morne has to be seen to be believed.  We are planning to go back and spend a week there before going onto Labrador proper.

Cabot Trail-  the northern section is amazing; a side trip to Meat Cove should be on everyone's "must do" list

Canadians- polite doesnt even describe them.  Even their version of Massholes wave "thank you" after you yield to them for a pass.  Speaking of passing, Canadians have amazing lane discipline;  once they complete a pass, back into the right lane.  No hanging out in the passing lanes; no lolly gagging, do their business and back into the right lane.   There is nearly no litter in Canada.  We counted probably 2 dozen total pieces of litter in the 14 days we were in Canada; most of it was "lost" and not just tossed out the window.  Several of the "lost" were Tim Horton coffee cups that had obviously been left on car rooftops and driven off.

The fresh fish is awesome. period.  full stop.

This leaves poor PEI as the only province not visited as well as the Labrador portion of Newfoundland-Labrador.  BTW, it's pronounced "new found land" like it's three separate words; the accent is on "land" too.

Home

4666.5 miles later, we're home.  Today will be a day of unpacking and unwinding; tomorrow will be laundry and running the camping dishes through the dishwasher.
The dogs were totally ready to come home; they have taken their positions in their beds




Saturday, August 18, 2018

Homeward

Boring day as it rained most of the way.  Forgot we had a bag of chopped broccoli in the cooler at the border crosding.  The DHS guy almost laughed when Rick swore about the damn broccoli.

One more long day on the road.  Hoping to make Scranton on Sunday.

Friday, August 17, 2018

The Cabot Trail - Meat Cove

We have heard tales of the Cabot Trail, how this hunk of tarmac is commonly used in car commercials.   It's jaw dropping cliffs that jut right into the ocean and the thin line of asphalt that clings to the mountainsides is amazing.  We drove the Trail in the recommended direction- counter clockwise.  While most of  the trail is typical of coastal Maine with little towns and rocky out croppings the northern stretch including the side trip to Meat Cove is worth the hassle of every tour bus, under powered RV or harley that clogs up the road.   If you get this way, stop in at the Meat Cove Chowder Hut.  It's only open from mid-May to mid-October. 
trust us; you will not regret any part of that 12km dirt road.

Still haven't seen a live moose.


































Return Trip States

We have logged nearly 2900 miles since we left home 12 days ago and seen some truly awesome scenery here on Newfoundland.  Alas it is time to head home and we are taking the ferry out of Argentia back to the mainland.
sidewalk fishes


view from terminal cantina

our state room is this wide

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Downtown St Johns

Today is again filled with history- some recent others ancient.  After breaking camp for the last time this trip [we chickened out as the weather guessers are calling for overnight thunder showers and rain on Thursday and we have had enough of packing wet camping gear, let alone gear that would get unpacked until we get home on Monday the 20th five days from now- can you say 'fragrant?']  We traveled up to Signal Hill, home to the town's coastal defense battery and where the first trans-Atlantic radio transmission was emitted by Marconi.
To say it was windy up there is an understatement-  our hats kept being blown off our heads while the sun was just baking on our arms and legs.  It was odd to be both cold and  sweating at the same time and not being sick.
Just off the battery are the two dogs that draw their names from this province: the Labrador and the Newfoundland.  There is also a set of them downtown at the harbor but here they look right, perched on a bluff overlooking the city.

We also visited The Rooms museum here in St John.  The museum combines historical artifacts with art set into a modern design and some slick galleries where touch screens at the displays offer more detail than any docent could possibly remember unless it was their particular specialty.


view of St John from Signal Hill

The Marconi Radio story



the dogs overlook the harbor

decorated traffic signal boxes

The Rooms Museum

From the inside gallery

view of the harbor from the cafe

American Dry ginger ale - get it?

the dogs at the harbor