Sunday, July 15, 2007
Gros Morne
Gros Morne exceeds its reputation for spectacular beauty. Some of us have traveled by boat to view the fiords while others hiked to waterfalls. Attempts at fishing were less than successful.
St. Anthony
We ventured to the site of the first landing of Europeans on the North American continent. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Park is at a northern tip of Newfoundland and a place of great archeological discovery. Remains of a 1000 year old Viking settlement rest there. It’s not everyday that you get to visit a place of such antiquity.
Two of our toads have been injured. They have needed transplants and are back on the road.
One lesson learned by all is that the Newfies are very friendly people who go out of their way to help and don’t expect a king’s ransom in return.
Two of our toads have been injured. They have needed transplants and are back on the road.
One lesson learned by all is that the Newfies are very friendly people who go out of their way to help and don’t expect a king’s ransom in return.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
July 12, 2007
After a lovely end-of-caravan dinner, our group split in two to head for a different ports in Newfoundland. A way too early start for the first group ended in two couples involuntarily extending their stay in Nova Scotia. The second group had an easy crossing on the TransCanada Highway. The drivers sat back and left the job to the ferry boatman. There were movies and local entertainment to keep everyone amused. Bonnie even taught card making to the ladies while the men just talked. The short drive to the campground was another day in paradise.
Cod was the word of the day as three intrepid ladies ventured onto to the docks to purchase fish fresh off the boat. No surprise, it was JeanAnne who kissed the cod in preparation for her induction as an honorary Newfie. With the downing of Screech, she got her citizenship papers.
We enjoyed a home cooked moose dinner prepared by the local Lions Club and entertainment by the Lioness who were our hosts/hostesses for the night.
The next day we moved a short distance up the road and then took the ferry across the strait to Labrador, making us among the few who have visited this distant land. We saw icebergs floating and sitting along the shore. The ice showed white and blue and green and lovely. We also visited the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada; the fog horn reminding us of the encroaching fog of our return journey to NF.
We have had several confirmed moose sightings but no pictures.
On Thursday we venture back 1000 years to the time of the Vikings.
Cod was the word of the day as three intrepid ladies ventured onto to the docks to purchase fish fresh off the boat. No surprise, it was JeanAnne who kissed the cod in preparation for her induction as an honorary Newfie. With the downing of Screech, she got her citizenship papers.
We enjoyed a home cooked moose dinner prepared by the local Lions Club and entertainment by the Lioness who were our hosts/hostesses for the night.
The next day we moved a short distance up the road and then took the ferry across the strait to Labrador, making us among the few who have visited this distant land. We saw icebergs floating and sitting along the shore. The ice showed white and blue and green and lovely. We also visited the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada; the fog horn reminding us of the encroaching fog of our return journey to NF.
We have had several confirmed moose sightings but no pictures.
On Thursday we venture back 1000 years to the time of the Vikings.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Red Bay, Labrador
We are now is Labrador and ten (the 2 weekers)of the coaches occupents are here while the other 6 coaches are in St. Johns and two coaches are on the ferry to Newfoundland (hopefully)(the 4 week group). They failed to get boarded on Monday morning.
All the 2 weekers are doing great and having fun. We do not have Internet accessability (I am at the town hall here in Red Bay) and we will update the blog with pictures when we have Internet which might be on Friday.
All the 2 weekers are doing great and having fun. We do not have Internet accessability (I am at the town hall here in Red Bay) and we will update the blog with pictures when we have Internet which might be on Friday.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Sunday July 8,2007
Sunny and warm today. Missed the good weather for the Cabot Trail and whale watching by one day. Well, this is the official end of the Monacos in Motion Maritimes Province Caravan. It has been a blast! Even with the roads and weather, the trip has been an experience that none of us will forget. Meeting new friends, seeing old (acquaintenances, not in age) ones, seeing the Canadian Provinces, meeting the people of the area, and eating. What would a caravan be without the opportunity to enjoy Janet and her gang's cooking. Bill and JeanAnn did a great job on putting this caravan together. The volunteers also made it possible to enjoy an (almost) trouble free trip. Personnaly, Carole and I are looking forward to the next one.
Today for the group, it was a free day which everybody was looking forward to. Even with that, there was still some sightseeing to do. Happy hour was a little wet but we all enjoyed the champagne supplied by the Paynes. The Millers and the PAynes were all decked out in the kilts and really looked the part. (pictures to follow).
The farewell dinner was held at a local resturant. After a wonderful meal, door prizes were handed out. Lazydays provided a pair of $50 gift certificates. Monaco provided 8 $25 wearable gift certificates. Several other door prizes were given out for appreciation of the effort put out by all of the caravaners. Special gifts were given to the Millers and Paynes for their great effort in putting this caravan together. Each couple received a check from surplus funds of the caravan.
From here, we split into two groups on our adventure to New Foundland and Labrador. The 4 week group is taking the 14 hour ride from Nova Scotia and the two week is on the short 6 hour ride. We reverse that on the return trip. Its been great and the next 4 weeks will be just as great.
Today for the group, it was a free day which everybody was looking forward to. Even with that, there was still some sightseeing to do. Happy hour was a little wet but we all enjoyed the champagne supplied by the Paynes. The Millers and the PAynes were all decked out in the kilts and really looked the part. (pictures to follow).
The farewell dinner was held at a local resturant. After a wonderful meal, door prizes were handed out. Lazydays provided a pair of $50 gift certificates. Monaco provided 8 $25 wearable gift certificates. Several other door prizes were given out for appreciation of the effort put out by all of the caravaners. Special gifts were given to the Millers and Paynes for their great effort in putting this caravan together. Each couple received a check from surplus funds of the caravan.
From here, we split into two groups on our adventure to New Foundland and Labrador. The 4 week group is taking the 14 hour ride from Nova Scotia and the two week is on the short 6 hour ride. We reverse that on the return trip. Its been great and the next 4 weeks will be just as great.
Saturday July 7, 2007
Woke up to a rainy and foggy day. Won't be much good for our trip around the Cabot Trail nor whale watching, but we'll manage. The Conrads won't be able to make the trip as Clair has a gas leak problem (his stove). The carpool left the campground in fine fashion and headed out. Soon we were stretched out and pretty much doing and seeing what we wanted. The fog prevented us from seeing a lot of the coast line but when we dropped down to sealevel, the view was quite intriguing. A couple of us stopped at a Woodsmith shop and browsed around. A lot of beautiful pieces but no room in the RV. Neil's Harbour was a little out of the way but well worth the sidetrip. A sleepy little fishing village with, of course, a chowder house. A lobster boat came in with only a dozen small lobsters on it. The end of the season is near.
On up to Pleasant Bay for the whale watching boat ride. Still pretty much a foggy day with small patches of sunshine coming through. By the time we got on the boat, the fog rolled back in. 8 of our caravan went in a Zodiac while the rest of us went on the regular boat. Watching the 8 get dressed in their suits was quite a treat. They could have been ready to walk on the moon. Our tour guide, Jessica, informed us on what we could expect. After about a half hour of wave walloping, we arrived on site and waited. We didn't have to wait long, a pod of pilot whales came by to show their stuff. There were several pods around so it didn't take much to find them. Jessica let out a squeal and pointed out the flute of a humpback going under. The photo is what we saw. Fantastic!! That was our last close up but those in the Zodiac said they were much closer and a got a better show. We could see a humpback off in the distance putting on a show by breaching and slapping its tail but it was too foggy for us to get a good view. The two hour tour was soon over and back to port.
We ate lunch at a local resturant and continued down the Cabot Trail. There were several places to stop and sight see as the fog was starting to lift. On the way back, the Brundiges took the short ferry ride from Elizabethtown. A 5 minute ride on a cable pulled ferry highlighted their trip. By the time we got back to the camp, the sun was out and a wonderful day, what was left of it. Free day tomorrow, can't believe the official caravan is almost over. Where did the time go!
On up to Pleasant Bay for the whale watching boat ride. Still pretty much a foggy day with small patches of sunshine coming through. By the time we got on the boat, the fog rolled back in. 8 of our caravan went in a Zodiac while the rest of us went on the regular boat. Watching the 8 get dressed in their suits was quite a treat. They could have been ready to walk on the moon. Our tour guide, Jessica, informed us on what we could expect. After about a half hour of wave walloping, we arrived on site and waited. We didn't have to wait long, a pod of pilot whales came by to show their stuff. There were several pods around so it didn't take much to find them. Jessica let out a squeal and pointed out the flute of a humpback going under. The photo is what we saw. Fantastic!! That was our last close up but those in the Zodiac said they were much closer and a got a better show. We could see a humpback off in the distance putting on a show by breaching and slapping its tail but it was too foggy for us to get a good view. The two hour tour was soon over and back to port.
We ate lunch at a local resturant and continued down the Cabot Trail. There were several places to stop and sight see as the fog was starting to lift. On the way back, the Brundiges took the short ferry ride from Elizabethtown. A 5 minute ride on a cable pulled ferry highlighted their trip. By the time we got back to the camp, the sun was out and a wonderful day, what was left of it. Free day tomorrow, can't believe the official caravan is almost over. Where did the time go!
Friday, July 6, 2007
FridayJuly 6, 2007
Rainy (from yesterday's rig washing) and foggy. Some of the men put a breakfast together that would rival anything Martha Stewart put on while in prison. Lots of pancakes, grilled just the way they wanted to, bacons from a bird and a pig. Juice and coffee, what a way to start the day.
Waves were formed and we hit the road. Fairly good roads up to the KOA near North Sydney. Still raining and foggy but not hampering the drive. Got parked and carpooled up to Baddeck to lunch and the Alexander Graham Bell museum. Good intersting self guided tour. Lots of displays showed just how many different enterprises he was into. His wife did a lot towards promoting Canadian aviation in the early 1900s. His efforts with the deaf, developement of a hydrofoil, airplanes, and many other projects were lesser known that his invention of the telephone, but just as noteworthy. Beautiful country in this area; we'll get to see more of it tomorrow.
Too wet for a formal happy hour so we just hung out at the rigs. Long day tomorrow.
Waves were formed and we hit the road. Fairly good roads up to the KOA near North Sydney. Still raining and foggy but not hampering the drive. Got parked and carpooled up to Baddeck to lunch and the Alexander Graham Bell museum. Good intersting self guided tour. Lots of displays showed just how many different enterprises he was into. His wife did a lot towards promoting Canadian aviation in the early 1900s. His efforts with the deaf, developement of a hydrofoil, airplanes, and many other projects were lesser known that his invention of the telephone, but just as noteworthy. Beautiful country in this area; we'll get to see more of it tomorrow.
Too wet for a formal happy hour so we just hung out at the rigs. Long day tomorrow.
Thursday July 5, 2007
Sunny but windy and a free day looking at us. With nothing scheduled for the day, the caravaners did their own thing. Several went up to Clace Bay to the Miner's Museum and said it was excellent. A good display and a short tour through an actuall coal mine. Apparently it was had to move around in the mine, they had to bend over and walk through small passages. But even then, it was worth the effort. Others went into Sydney and did some shopping.
With the threat of rain in the air, several thumbed their noses at the oncoming storm and spiffied up their rigs. (Garunteed to raid with that attitude). Some of just hung out and caught our breaths. The Rayners went bike riding and wound up at fisherman's wharf where they were treated to crab and lobster feed. They really enjoyed the food but didn't bring any back for the rest of us.
Happy hour prior to our lobster dinner at a local resturant. Good food, for those that like lobster, there were 2 lobsters on each plate. Chuck Pond connived his way into a four lobster plate and darned if he didn't eat every bit of it.
Later that night we had reservations to the Louisbourg Playhouse where we enjoyed the "Laughter and Lyrics" performance. This was put on by some very talented local muscians. Songs, stepdancing, and comedy for several hours. Good time was had by all. Traveling tomorrow.
With the threat of rain in the air, several thumbed their noses at the oncoming storm and spiffied up their rigs. (Garunteed to raid with that attitude). Some of just hung out and caught our breaths. The Rayners went bike riding and wound up at fisherman's wharf where they were treated to crab and lobster feed. They really enjoyed the food but didn't bring any back for the rest of us.
Happy hour prior to our lobster dinner at a local resturant. Good food, for those that like lobster, there were 2 lobsters on each plate. Chuck Pond connived his way into a four lobster plate and darned if he didn't eat every bit of it.
Later that night we had reservations to the Louisbourg Playhouse where we enjoyed the "Laughter and Lyrics" performance. This was put on by some very talented local muscians. Songs, stepdancing, and comedy for several hours. Good time was had by all. Traveling tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Wednesday July 4, 2007
Happy Birthday America! A sunny but cool day awaits us. A breakfast by Janet Payne aand company is always a great way to start the day. The Pond's had to take their rig into Sydney to get the font end realigned (no, not because of the road cominng here). We carpooled to the Fortress and received a guided tour from Andre, a 22 year veteran of the tour staff. The fort was originally built in 1713 by the French to protect their investment in the New World. Squabbles with the British on a couple occasions resulted in the fort changing hands. Eventually, the fort fell to ruin and was abandoned by the Britsh in the mid 1800s. There was a movement to restore the fort as it once was and eventually, through the efforts of private individuals and finally the Canadian government, reconstruction was started. Only 1/5 of the original fort was renovated. It is strictly a tourist attraction nowadays with vintage costumed interpreters explain the workings of the fort. Demonstrations occur thruout the day. Very interesting site.
After happy hour we all congregated at the Fortress View resturant for a lobster dinner. Good time was had by all.
After happy hour we all congregated at the Fortress View resturant for a lobster dinner. Good time was had by all.
Tuesday July 3, 2007
Woke up to a sunny and warm day. We are looking at an easy day ahead of us. Got on the road early and headed for Louisbourg, NS. Good roads for the most part but 104 out of Auld's Cove was something else. A teeth rattling, dishes banging, co-pilot cussing road it was. Stopping for fuel proved to be a challenge. Our carefully planned wave traveling got unraveled due to a long delay at the pumps. Wave 4 went right thru Auld's Cove looking for something better. But as always, we survived and put it all behind us. Arrived at the Louisbourg Motorhome and Travel Park. After the caravan got parked, we were on our own till Stan's special dinner. As can be seen from the photo, Stan was having a good time on his birthday. The dinner was excellent and based on the number of compliments Stan got, he can do it again anytime. Tomorrow the Louisbourg Fortress.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)