Lenzen's Travels: Eastern Newfoundland

Just a note - if you would like to see any of the photos in a larger size, just click on it.

We spent the a couple of days at Indian Park in North Sydney. Since we didn’t have to get in line for the ferry until mid afternoon, we just hung around enjoying the scenery. There was an outdoor bandstand sort of thing and some folks were obviously setting something up. Of course, we had to find out, and it turned out that they were holding an outdoor church service. The music sounded like it was going to be pretty good, and we weren’t very busy so we decided to attend. Most of the service was music and was quite enjoyable. Since we were new, they gave us each a small gift so if anyone would like a free mug, please let me know (the candy is gone!).

Well, I made it through the 16 hour ferry ride quite well – the ocean was relatively calm with no huge whitecaps. I had been rather nervous as I have, on occasion, become seasick but with some anti-nausea pressure bands and regular doses of gravol, I came through with flying colours. We did have a room (so we were even able to get a bit of shut-eye) although it was pretty basic.

Sometimes it was clear (you could see the ocean in every direction), and sometimes it was foggy. It is truly amazing how the fog just seems to drift in and out, on land or sea, at random times.

Our plan was to take a couple of days before going into St. John’s as we toured around the southeast corner of the Avalon Peninsula. Well, with missing one turn and then another, we ended up going into St. John’s which really turned out for the best. We set up and headed out touring.

The first place was Signal Hill – This is where the first transatlantic communication was received but has been an important site for defense since the 17th century. The views are amazing.

Then it was on to Cape Spear which is the most easterly point in North America. Here sits the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province.

goods carried by the ships

Then it was to Quidi Vidi village – this is a tiny fishing village on one side of the inlet and a brewery on the other.

A drive around the east side of the Avalon Peninsula

took us to Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, and around back to St. John’s. We saw a sign – O’Brien’s Whale Watching, and it looked like they were about ready to head out with not too many folks so we checked in, got our tickets, and were off to look for some whales and shorebirds (particularly puffins).

A mermaid and a mermaid wannabe

We went around Gull Island and my gosh, talk about birds – there were Puffins, Leaches Storm-petrels, Kittiwakes, and the Common Murres. I thought of our friend Marleen, who is terribly afraid of birds, and how she would have been glad they stayed a fair distance.

And we did see a couple of whales but unfortunately, we only saw their spout and their backs as they came out of the water briefly. It was a great couple of hours. Then on to finish our drive, but first lunch at the Captain’s Table – a great fish burger and chowder. Along the drive, the fog would drift in and out periodically.

Another day, another drive up the peninsula north of St. John’s where we went to Cape St. Francis

which is the northern most point of the east coast trail. On our way back we took a 20 minute ferry over to Bell Island which once had a large iron ore mine.

And one must visit the communities of Dildo

and Cupids and Brigus, if for nothing else, but because of their unusual names. The drive was beautiful but one must also do some walking so we took a hike on Burnt Head Loop which is near Cupids. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in as we neared the coast so the photos turned out a bit faded.

Canada Day was spent in St. John’s in search of some seafood. Well, unless you are into beer and chicken, it wasn’t going to happen – how disappointing. A walk along the harbour gave us a chance to have a peak at this huge boat (Archimedes) and the hull was absolutely gleaming. It turns out that it is a 222 foot yacht that belongs to American billionaire, James Simon.

We also did go by some colourful homes which represent jellybean row (or several of them).

Any idea what this sign means

We did a tour of the botanical gardens and the variety of flowers and plants native to Newfoundland is amazing.

July 1 is celebrated as a memorial day for veterans - this is a tribute to them

We are parked at a campground in the overflow. It was great - nice and quiet - well for most of the time. When we got back from touring around, someone obviously felt a bit insecure so they wanted to make sure they were nice and close. Step one - start the generator, step two - ask why he parked so close (answer - no problem for me), step three - move.

As you can see, colour is obvious as many homes and or buildings are of bright colours. What a sign when you come around a corner and see a row of house – all a different colour even if the shape is the same, and what nice view that is. Everywhere you look you see something bright and cheery.

Every home has a garbage container and most are like these

We had to do a bit of grocery shopping and found that many of the prices are similar, but a bit higher, to ours but that is expected. The big shocker was when I decided that I wanted to get some cherries. While they didn’t have any Canadian cherries, there were some from Washington which were nice and plump and dark but nowhere could we find a price but decided to get them anyway. When we got home, we looked at the bill – $24.23/kg. It’s a good thing that they were terrific tasting.

One day we were out walking and heard a real deep croaking sound - a bull frog. I had never seen one before.