Lenzen's Travels: Good-bye Newfoundland

This week we say good-bye to Newfoundland - it’s been quite a ride. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to see it all or do it all but we gave it a darn good try – 1850 km on the motorhome and 2650 km on the Jeep!

We spent the night at a National Park campground near Cow Head as we had booked a boat tour of Western Brook Pond which is a glacial carved, land-locked fiord. The description of this pond is noted as spectacular and that does not stretch it one bit. The scenery is incredible in this two hour tour.

We hadn't gone out to eat a whole lot so decided at the end of the day it was time. Contrary to what we thought, seafood was not that popular on the menu except for cod. So Gerry decided to order his favourite meal.

The speed limit was quite varied. It was 100 km on divided highway (some of No. 1) 80 or 90 on others but many of the highways go through small communities so it is slowed to 50 or 60 and sometimes 70. They wanted to make that the speed limit was noticed.

Then it was time to slowly meander our way southward. We stopped at Steady Brook (just outside of Corner Brook) where we parked at the bottom of a ski hill. When you spend a good part of the day in the driver and/or passenger seats, it’s nice to get a little exercise.

As luck would have it, there was a short hike to some falls. It’s not that we are really super enthralled with falls, but they are pretty, and it’s always makes for a nice destination. Of course, it was also time to do laundry. After laundry we took a stroll around Glynmill at the Margaret Bowater Park.

The tree is just grabbing onto the rock

Best not be looking at your cell phone as you walk

We joined an organization called Boondockers Welcome so it was time to try it out. There was a spot at Millville which was about 12 kms of the main highway. Now, the road was less that great but we arrived at our spot – great location behind a general store. Now this is a true general store. They had a large amount of groceries (something of almost everything), a hardware store where you could get, I’m sure, almost anything, as well as a music section.

We took a drive out along the coast on a pretty windy day, and then we were told about a short hike to the cliffs. The trail was good but at times there were several trails and one never knew for sure which was the correct one.

As you walked, if you heard a crunch, another one of these fellows bit the dust

Coming back, we mis-judged, and came across a sign that said “no trespassing” – but we didn’t want to have to go all the way back so we continued on. We came across the owner of the property, apologized for trespassing, and then continued on with a visit for an hour or so.

We arrived in Port aux Basque, found a parking spot, and went off on a drive along the coast. During our past two and a half weeks in Newfoundland, we saw exceptional scenery along the way. But, in our drive of about 100 kms (each way) we saw an amazing amount of different scenery. in one stretch and I think I will be trying to show it all – hope you don’t tired of them (they may be similar to watching family home movies😊).

Here is some of the varied landscape along this short route.

First stop was Barachois Falls

Jeremiah, the bullfrog

This boardwalk went almost all the way to the falls

These are baked appleberries and are used for jams and desserts. We didn't get a chance to taste them.

I have mentioned going on quite a number of hikes - how unusual for me. But I must say that Newfoundland is a hiker's paradise. There are trails in every community it seems and there are all sorts of skill levels and distances. Regardless of the kind of hike, every trail is maintained. And so often, the sights are not to be seen of the road.

Then on to Burnt Islands where we came across an assortment of mats. We stopped and chatted with the fellow. He buys old fishing rope from the fishermen and makes these mats.

We drove into every little community along the way. Keep in mind that many don't have a lot of space for their homes - there is ocean on one side and a mountain of rock on the other. As a result, driveways may be short, or non-existent and streets may be narrow.

And laundry day is not always Monday, but seems to be on a day when the sun shines, and a breeze is blowing (breeze, not WIND). Everyone has a clothes line.