Newfoundland

I think it was a Nor-wester’, but it could have been a Nor-easter’ as we headed north up the west coast of Newfoundland.  All I know is that it was blowing with a passion, combined with rain, mist, spray, and cold! I stopped at one of the first view points in Gros Morne National Park, but all I could see of the view, was the guardrail.

We persevered, in our northbound direction, passing through many small villages that did not even seem to be on the map.  At any rate, no one was outdoors, making them seem somewhat deserted.

Finally, we reached the end of the road in St Anthony, and listened to the locals at the Tim Horton’s – trying to understand what they were saying!  It’s most definitely a most interesting dialect the locals speak here.  It is nice to see that Tim’s now provides wi-fi service at most of their locations in the east, which provides options, specially in McDonalds free zones like this.  The forecast was for some clearing and a reduction in the winds, so we pushed right to the tip of the peninsula at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic site where there is evidence that the earliest Norse and Viking explorers first set foot in the new world.

After hearing all the stories about the moose hazards along NL roads, it was ironic that I saw my first 4 Newfy mooses from the windows of the Visitor Centre. The weather had improved some for the trip back south, but it was evident that the locals are expecting for a long, cold winter.  Wood piles are everywhere along the road.  And I do mean everywhere.  On the beach, in the bush, on vacant lots, roadside, in gravel pits …

Most of the piles display a permit number, as each permit is allowed a certain number of cords only.

Most of the wood here is pretty small diameter, but there are a few small sawmills operating to create dimensional lumber.

There were also a number of sleds or sleighs waiting along the northern roads – for the return of snow.  I imagine most of them are used to transport wood from more distant locations.

Another thing new to me was to see little fenced in garden plots, often miles from the nearest houses or towns.  I guess that topsoil and places with good growing conditions are rare here, so the locals take advantage wherever they can.  Many had scarecrows to keep away the wildlife.

The wind had changed direction for the trip back down south, so we got to fight against it in both directions!