Fording the Cabot Strait - Car Camping in Newfoundland

[scarysharkface]

Of course, between here (Indiana) and there (Newfoundland) is Nova Scotia. We've got family on Cape Breton, which is convenient in a couple of ways. Having worn a track in the asphalt with the KLR over the years, this time we took the dirt roads to the ancestral home at Mira..

First we went this way...

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And that way...

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And this way...

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We were (over) loaded up pretty good...

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But the Jeep handled reasonably well regardless of its top-heavy configuration...

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Good times..

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Never underestimate the rehabilitative powers of sticking an arm out into the relative wind...

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Almost there, but not close enough to wait, if you know what I mean..

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Much more to follow...

John

[AZchris]

Pics look great. I would love to take some long dirt roads like that, they look pretty smooth too.

What brand basket do you have on your Congo Cage?

[Hoosier 45]

Hi John,
I see you have a rack on top. I would like to see it in person sometime. My nephew has a jeep just like yours. They will be traveling to Cape Lookout with us. It looks like the rack would really help out on freeing up a lot of inside space.

Martin

[Boggie]

If you are coming to Newfoundland be sure to drive the southern dirt road along Red Indian Lake. There are some great (unofficial) camp spots and swimming holes too. A great off the track place to visit is the Burin Peninsula as well Coast of Bays. I'll follow this thread and if you run out of ideas just let me know, I live at the end of the road.
Bill

[scarysharkface]

AZchris - The basket is the Safari Rack from KargoMaster. It's their largest size.

Hoosier 45 - Give me a holler and we can meetup for lunch.

Boggie - We are already home, but did make it to your area.

John

[scarysharkface]

We eventually made our way to Mira, said hello to family and walked down to the beach..

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Took some pictures..

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Danced in the sand a bit...

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And generally just enjoyed ourselves..

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John

[scarysharkface]

It's nice that the entire family is into photography. It gives us a lot of interesting perspective on values and interests that parents aren't often able to discern. Even when they're honked-off at Mom and Dad and not talking, they're still capturing what's important to them..

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And they do grow up so very quickly..

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Heading out across the old Sydney and Louisbourg Railroad drawbridge over the Mira River to fetch some dinner..

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Just because they're good kids doesn't mean they enjoy sitting next to each other when we hit the chip-wagon for dinner..

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Down by the water, and as if there was any doubt about the lengths I'll go to for even the most ill-composed shot...

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We decided somewhat at the last minute to spend the night in a cabin at Arm of Gold campground near the ferry terminal, since we had to be up early for the boat..

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John

[rain76king]

Can I ask what camera combo your using? The clarity is beautiful...

[scarysharkface]

I'm using a Canon EOS 50D with Tamron 18-270mm zoom. Tracy is shooting a Nikon D300 with a couple of different Nikon lenses I'm not sure about. I think we both really like the Canon. I'm utterly confounded by the Nikon.

John

[scarysharkface]

It's an early morning with a not-too-terribly-long wait at the North Sydney ferry terminal, then we're off. Soon enough, we're on The Rock..

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Capturing the soul of the land begins in earnest..

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At The Wreckhouse..

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Up the TCH a short way from PAB, at The Wreckhouse, the T'railway railbed runs alongside the highway..

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Right next to the sea..

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Riding it is on my bucket list. For now, walking it will do just fine..

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The cat-bird seat, overlooking all of it from a nearby knoll..

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John

[scarysharkface]

We couldn't have asked for better weather..

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We hung around for a bit, soaking-in the view and ultra-clean air. Soon enough, though, we needed to boot it up the road to meetup with a friend from www.ridetherock.com at the firehall in Stephenville..

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Andrew is a firefighter who spends many of his free hours these days doing a full-on restoration of a Honda XR600R from the early 1980's. His work is impeccable, and finally meeting him in-the-flesh is an opportunity I didn't want to miss. Great guy.

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After a too-short visit, Andrew steers us into town for vittles. Best burger I think I've had, and Sarah really liked the poutine (aka "goo").

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He also recommended we aim for Picadilly Park, on the Port Au Port peninsula, to setup camp for the night. It's a beautiful place, and we had it all to ourselves..

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Boy make fire good..

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John

[Corey]

Outstanding pictures.
Looks like a very fun trip.

[scarysharkface]

The campground proprietor suggested that the forecast called for rain the following morning. Luckily it was not so.

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Makes me tired just looking at her..

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Soon enough we found the motivation to break camp. The odds of this perfect weather lasting were slim, and we didn't want to waste it..

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Just up the road a bit was Long Point, which we'd been told is a must-see..

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John

[scarysharkface]

More of Long Point..

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Beautiful rocks..

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Beauty..

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I struggle with what shots to post, because it's just such an overwhelmingly lovely place. Add to that my inability to ignore the imprinted smells and sounds, and surely you understand..

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John

[scarysharkface]

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I couldn't be more pleased with how well the Jeep's traction control handled the beach rocks. Any wheel-spin and we would have had problems..

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And of course the grasses and muskeg.. No wheel-spin meant minimal disruption of the track we took further out toward the point..

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Jeep pr0n..

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Even here, this far off the beaten path, civilization leaves a mark..

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The weather holds..

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John

[scarysharkface]

Knowing there was much more to see, we back-tracked to run the loop..

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Back on the gravel road, it's obvious that Long Point is impressively narrow. This was taken from the roof of the Jeep, looking back toward land, as it were..

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Water to the left of us..

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Water to the right of us..

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After we got back on pavement, I noticed this through the rear-view mirror. In Newfoundland, even the flat roads are great motorcycle roads..

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John

[scarysharkface]

As one drives along the coast, it's impossible not to notice the vibrant colors of water. The sky and the rocks just below the surface create neat patterns..

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Even with this choppy water, the birds make it easy to spot the fishing boats..

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Paying attention to the road is important as well..

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Soon enough, we're at Cape St. George..

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The views are impressive..

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John

[scarysharkface]

A short walk brings this into view..

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We fool around and put a few more miles (kilometers?) on the shutters..

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Take a little drive up the hill..

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To see even more spectacular views..

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I guess the "diet" is not working so well for me.. :(

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John

[scarysharkface]

Beautiful..

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I love the EOS 50D and Tamron 18-270mm combo. From this:

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To this:

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And this:

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John

[scarysharkface]

We had another friend to meet in Grand Falls, so we booted that direction..

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Somewhere along the way we happened across a traveller with a flat battery. We gave 'em a jump so they could back-track a bit and get a new one. Great, friendly folks who'd been in Alberta and had just returned to The Rock..

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We hookup with Steve in Grand Falls, down some excellent fish & chips and visit for not long enough..

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My goal for the evening, since we were so close, was to camp somewhere around Twillingate and enjoy some icebergs in the morning.. Alas, when we got there there were none!

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It was getting dark, and we hadn't picked a camp site yet..

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After my EPIC FAIL at finding icebergs, I threw in the towel and checked us into a motel for the night. Tomorrow would be better (although today was pretty darn good!)..

John

[AZchris]

Do you have a lift on your Jeep? With that loaded rack and 4 people how did it handle?

[scarysharkface]

~2-1/2 or 3 inches of lift (I don't recall exactly), and yes it's a little soft all loaded-up like that. I think next time my preference would be to install airbag helpers in the rear coils to stiffen it up just a little bit. All-in-all, though, it wasn't bad. Sure, 70-75 mph on the interstate wasn't as painless as it could have been, but handling-wise there's really nothing I can honestly complain about at this time.

The rack creates a lot of wind noise and drag when it's empty. Loaded, it's significantly quieter but the drag is still there. It's not too bad at 55 mph, but mileage really suffers at speeds higher than that or if driving into a strong headwind. I may fab some sort of deflector for it eventually.

It sure was nice to not carry tent, sleeping bags, pads, chairs and such in the passenger compartment.

John

[grahamfitter]

:lurk: Great stuff!

Cheers,
Graham

[njjeepthing]

What type of waterproof bags did you use on your rack to keep the sleeping bags and such dry? I am looking for some for use on my rack.

[scarysharkface]

Sleeping bags went in a big industrial trash bag inside the Thule soft carrier. Other stuff went inside SeaLine dry bags. The tent and its trappings went in a big trash bag, and that went inside the big red duffle. Some miscellaneous kid stuff went in cheap dry bags in the big brown duffle. Camp chairs were only inside the bags they came with.

I would do it differently in some ways next time, although just how I don't know at this point. I had lots of unused rack available.

More pics and such coming this evening, when I have time to look at pics..

John

[CruiseControl]

John thanks for sharing your photography abilities with us. Looks like another great trip. I always enjoy reading, or even just looking at your posts.

[scarysharkface]

John thanks for sharing your photography abilities with us. Looks like another great trip. I always enjoy reading, or even just looking at your posts.

You are too kind. Thank you.

[scarysharkface]

We slept well in real beds, and had good coffee, toast and a wide variety of local jams and jellies for breakfast. Recharged, we forged our path for the day under the watchful, burning eye of the evil daystar..

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A kayaker's paradise..

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It's funny to arrive at a place such as this, only to hear the distant cry of a 2-stroke weed-whacker..

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A short hike from nearly anywhere yields an exquisite view..

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So cool..

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And proud..

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John

[scarysharkface]

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Smiles..

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Down the way just a bit..

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John

[scarysharkface]

So we snap a pic or two and suddenly three kids on bikes ride up and climb on..

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They have no fear, no inhibition and are completely open to us..

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They climb around the Jeep as though it were a jungle-gym on a school playground..

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The girl's brakes aren't working on her bike, so I fix them (it's simple, luckily) and off they go..

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John

[scarysharkface]

Cottlesville is our next stop. We spent much of the morning thus-far looking for a place to rent kayaks, and at last stumbled upon the builder of Sea Knife kayaks. He led us to his put-in and we were soon off for a couple of hours..

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The water is smooth..

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Tiny starfish.. Big ones too..

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Smiles.. Mom and Dad are heroes for just a little while..

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John

[scarysharkface]

Tracy and I got off the water and shot some non-cellphone pics of the kids having fun..

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John

[segona]

looks gorgeous
real lovely family ^^

[nwoods]

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927611838_Aek4Q-XL.jpg



Tracy and I got off the water and shot some non-cellphone pics of the kids having fun...
John


Wow, that's a cell phone image?
As said before, great photojournal of your trip, and cute family.

[scarysharkface]

Yep, that's a cell phone pic. I've got an LG NV3 or something like that, that's a year or so old. I moved the pics to the micro sd card and dumped them to my laptop. The quality is surprising. Who knew!?

Thanks all for the nice comments. I have a great family. With any luck, they'll keep me!

Lots more pics to get through..

John

[BCHauler]

Thanks for sharing your family trip. Newfoundlanders are wonderful people and, seeing your photos of the Rock, I can see where it comes from.

[Rot Box]

Incredible! :Wow1:

You certainly know how to capture the moment! Can't wait to see more thanks for sharing.

[Haggis]

Excellent report so far...I always look forward to the tales and adventures of your family. Though now I'm really wishing another trip to Newfieland was in the works for us, but alas, it's not to be. The people of Newfoundland are some of the friendliest and generous folks you could possibly meet.

[scott54]

Thanks for another great post. I really enjoyed the pics and and write-up from your Utah trip as well...I have 3 young girls, and your family journeys are inspiring us to go on trips of our own when our kids get a little older!

[scarysharkface]

After kayaking, I call my buddy Mike at ask about pitching a tent at his place in New Melbourne. He's supposed to be offshore at work, but as luck would have it he's not scheduled out until the morning and is in St. John's tonight.

We make tracks for the city and get there as night is falling..

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He and some other friends are at Basho working up plans for a rally, so we get him to break away and lead us down the street to Pi, a nice pizza joint..

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The food is great (Colin and I had the calzone, while Tracy and Sarah split a veggie pizza). Afterward we head back over to Basho as Mike and the gang wrap things up..

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I snap a couple of shots out on the street..

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After some more catching up, Mike and his girl Suzi lead us over to Pippy Park and help us setup the tent in the rain. It's late and we're all tired, but it's great to meetup with good friends on the road..

John

[scarysharkface]

Dawn comes early and wet, so we decide to wait it out.

We've got a nice little spot (U1, which left us wondering what we'd won) near the washroom facilities and with no adjacent campers. There's a slight slope and it drains well. We're dry and warm, which is good..

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These Newfoundlanders know how to make a campground, in a city park, no less!

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Love the asymmetrical trees!

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Summer says the calendar, but Spring say the plants...

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We hit Tim's for breakfast, and get more rain..

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The weather's been so beautiful thus far, it would be disingenuous to complain about the rain making the adventure any less so..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924147609_aPu5d-XL.jpg

How long will this last? Where should we go? At least the coffee's hot. We're having an excellent time!

John

[scarysharkface]

I figure we might want to do Cape St. Mary's and the Irish Loop today. Can't be too much to cover in one day, since it's raining and we probably won't be out of the Jeep too much, right (eh)?

There's a dirt road that runs between Colinet and Placentia that I've wanted to run when I'd been here before, but I'd never had the time until now..

Just outside of Colinet..

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And yes, we're out of the Jeep..

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Not too far up the road and we find what we're looking for..

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One thing that becomes obvious to any visitor here almost immediately is that it's worth looking around every time you cross a bridge.. Especially if there's a pullout..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924158908_q4vKb-XL.jpg

North side of the road? Check.

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924160898_hskUi-XL.jpg

South side of the road? Holy**** wow!

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Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about...

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924182029_BJWBX-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

So, well, yeah, we were definitely out of the Jeep and not chewing up the miles (or kilometers, I suppose)..

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Lots of water..

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I reckon the inhospitable soil is countered somewhat by the availability of moisture...

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Soon enough we're back at it..

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John

[Rhode Trip]

Beautiful photos. Lynn and I are going back to Newfoundland in August. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying your posts. Thanks.

[scarysharkface]

Beautiful photos. Lynn and I are going back to Newfoundland in August. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying your posts. Thanks.

Thank you! It's nice to go through these pics and re-live it a bit. Newfoundland is a magical place.

John

[scarysharkface]

If'n the moon had trees, it might look like this..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924224276_dMMhk-XL.jpg

Again, beautiful water everywhere you turn..

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We stop for a bit of personal maintenance, which gives Colin a chance to eat some of his beef jerky. It has a strong odor that is just a bit disagreeable to some of us, so he is forbidden to eat it in the Jeep..

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The drive South from Placentia is quite scenic in ways that aren't altogether expected..

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We stop for lunch (where did the morning go?) at a nice little restaurant not too far from Cape St. Mary's..

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Then head back out into the fog..

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John

[scarysharkface]

Eventually we reach the end of the road South to Cape St. Mary's and it feels like it's 7 pm.

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I think they're probably actually pretty serious about this..

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Tracy and Colin go ahead, while Sarah and I linger a bit and enjoy the ambiance..

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Glad the trail is somewhat obvious..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924249240_wNpsc-XL.jpg

Even if it's kind of not much of a trail in some places..

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Shortly we reach the overlook (or overhear, in this case) for Bird Rock..

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These guys swoop up and just hover in the wind over the rock until the next one comes up and moves them out of the way. Cool to watch..

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John

[Root Moose]

So home sick...

[mosupernak]

Wow impressive photos! Looks like some good fishing in the "Just outside of Colinet" pic too. I'd love to make it up there sometime.

[scarysharkface]

Thanks for the nice remarks.

We head back North a slight bit away from the edge (never did even see the lighthouse, but we certainly heard it) and the weather changes abruptly..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924298396_dyzeU-XL.jpg

The landscape is very different from what we were in this morning as well..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924300215_vMFZy-XL.jpg

Branch..

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I know that in many ways a harbor is just a harbor, but for us they all have their unique beauty. The big fishing boats are pretty cool..

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And we move on.

There are small lakes and ponds everywhere, with large sharp-sided boulders strewn about. It all seems so recent..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925903875_5ouPT-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

With so much water, there is plenty of hydro-electric power generation..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924319285_Fzej6-XL.jpg

If memory serves, we are by now at Petty Harbor..

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Two cameras and two sets of eyes, for two perspectives..

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The shadows are getting long..

John

[adventureduo]

John, you have made my day. Thanks for sharing and i like the way you narrate your photos!

[scarysharkface]

John, you have made my day. Thanks for sharing and i like the way you narrate your photos!

Thanks!

[scarysharkface]

One thing we tried to remember to do was to take at least a few iconic photographs of our family adventure. Cape Spear, the Eastern-most point in North America, is well-suited for that sort of thing..

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We saw a whale, but none of us were quick enough to catch it on camera..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924339660_VFpmT-XL.jpg

I am not entirely unconvinced that in the distance is an iceberg...

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924334853_inxRZ-XL.jpg

Looking back toward St. John's..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925939354_yXQuu-XL.jpg

John

[abeaudin1971]

excellent thread! great pics!

I used to live in Trepassey for a bit when I was a kid - so I recognized Bird Rock and Cape Spear - makes me think that a trip from Ottawa out the Trans-Labrador and ferry to nfld would be a good way to close out the summer.

[Maddmatt]

Always enjoy your narrative and photos - thanks for sharing!

[scarysharkface]

Cape Spear is riddled somewhat with tunnels from fortifications dating back almost a century..

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Again the sun fades and hunger grows, so we beat feet back to PI for more wonderful food. Again Colin and I had the calzone, while Tracy and Sarah split another veggie pie..

Mike was on hold all day for weather, it turns out, and was still in town after all. He and Doug stopped by PI and we essentially closed the place down over a Quidi Vidi, then Doug showed us around Signal Hill near midnight for some pics and night views..

Cape Spear..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/924378415_J4TKr-XL.jpg

St. John's at night..

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Signal Hill..

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Exhausted and full of fine food, Doug led us back to Pippy Park and our camp. As easy as St. John's is to navigate around, it's not on a grid and it would have taken me an hour or more to travel the <10 minutes from Signal Hill to our campsite..

John

[scarysharkface]

The prize must surely be the weather this morning..

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Today downtown was our destination..

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Bright colors and winding streets..

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Looking down the infamous George Street. Not much to look at during the day..

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Busking on Water Street..

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John

[scarysharkface]

We head back up to Signal Hill to catch the views during the daytime and maybe look for whales..

Rehearsals for Canada Day celebrations are ongoing..

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Cape Spear..

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Fort Amherst, guarding St. John's harbor..

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This fellow has three Newfoundland hounds which he uses as therapy dogs in the local community..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925153184_8kWXa-XL.jpg

Wonderful, gentle, BIG animals..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925154129_GaL6X-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

Everytime you turn around, the sky is a little bit different, the water is a changed shade of grey or green or blue and another detail grabs your eye and won't let go.

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925951961_nxRDE-XL.jpg

I wish I'd thought to bring food for a picnic..

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We did actually manage to see a couple of minke whales today..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925154710_C4Eyg-XL.jpg

Try as I might, I am incapable of getting a level shot of this..

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I think that's about it for Signal Hill for us.. Now to find Quidi Vidi..

John

[scarysharkface]

I'd had a few of these over the years, and it was time to seek out the source..

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The brewery sits right on the water of Quidi Vidi Lake, home of the oldest continuous sporting event held in North America, the Royal St. John's Regatta..

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Several years ago, when one of their advertisements made FARK, I hadn't known it was our as-yet un-met friend Mike's father on the poster..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/936906165_Zzjwz-XL.jpg

I highly recommend enjoying an Eric's Red Cream Ale in his honor..

John

[scarysharkface]

We were enjoying ourselves, but acutely aware that we were running out of time..

Bill was known to be teaching a basic rider course not too far away, and we hoped to catch him in between demonstrations..

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As luck would have it, Dave was there as well..

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Next stop was Mike's mom, Sharon, in her new place. I'd stayed with her before, when I was on The Rock in 2007, solo on the KLR. Then, as now, the laundry facilities were put to good use and she whipped up some delectable grub. She's a wonderful, engaging, intelligent and delightful soul.

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The whirlwind speed tour continued, as we caught up with one of Colin's facebook friends from The Rock, Jordan..

The sun was sinking and we hadn't scheduled a meetup with Mike's girl, Suzi yet, so that would have to wait for next time. We were just down the road from Portugal Cove though, and Jordan suggested it's a nice place to see at sunset so that's where we went to end the daylight hours..

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Sarah mugging on the dock..

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And reading a bit by LED headlamp before sleep..

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John

[scarysharkface]

By now the tent is beginning to look more than a little bit like home..

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We hit up Tim's before heading West for our rendezvous with the boat. Doug spotted our Jeep and came in to say goodbye, and allowed us a pic with him since he'd been good about otherwise avoiding the lens thus far..

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Departing in the rain, we stopped for a Team America-inspired pic in front of the Holyrood sign..

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Another misty drive..

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The weather cleared by the time we got to Gander, and a quick phone call brought Dave out to the local Tim's to meet as we passed through town. Dave's a great guy who I've known online for several years. He's a font of information about Labrador, having lived there for some time, and generally a helpful, friendly soul.

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We chatted quite a bit about the Red Indian Lake bypass. There's a collection of roads between Badger and the Burgeo Highway via either Buchans (on the North side) or Millertown (on the South side), some real roads and some logging roads, and everyone we've spoken with about it (except for every gas station attendant I asked about it) has recommended we give it a go. Soon enough we'd reach Badger and would make a decision..

The road to Buchans doesn't appear to get all that much traffic..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925175973_vicML-XL.jpg

John

[78Bronco]

Screech and cod kissing, lets see some evidence.:)

Thanks for sharing.

[scarysharkface]

Screech and cod kissing, lets see some evidence.:)

Thanks for sharing.

I have thus far managed to avoid all that. :sombrero:

Avoid the Quidi Vidi? Not so much. :wings:

[scarysharkface]

While still on the pavement and not yet to Buchans, we did see a big moose along the road..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925176583_nkCDd-XL.jpg

Fly-fishing heaven..

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And at last we reach the gravel. More exactly, we drove right past it and on into Buchans then backtracked. Whatever. We're back on gravel now..

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And dirt. You can see the signs everywhere that this logging trail is a mess when it's wet..

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Red Indian Lake is big. The logging road and powerline run the length of it..

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I am not certain what function this has, but it would appear that the log trucks drive between to squeeze the logs tight when they lash them down. Feel free to correct me if they have some different function..

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Lots of stout single-lane non-DOT bridges..

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And on this Sunday evening (I think), a bit of traffic..

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John

[02TahoeMD]

Thanks for posting your trip John. My family was up that way 20 + years ago....you have helped bring up fond memories. :)

[1leglance]

Amazing pictures and great trip with the full family..
I am very impressed to see someone getting their teenagers out for some extended family time.
Does it help to give them their own cameras? Does that give them a "reason" or a "purpose" in being outdoors or are you just blessed with great kids? :)
My 2 boys are opposites, my older will go if there are other folks to socialize with, my younger wants it to just be us so we can goof off and go where we please.

I also like that you are going this trip without a ton of mods to the rig, a roof basket, tent, sleeping bags and go! Very nice.

Do you find that eating out vs camp cooking is good for the family in terms of bathrooms, indoors or just less gear to take?

[scarysharkface]

Amazing pictures and great trip with the full family..
I am very impressed to see someone getting their teenagers out for some extended family time.
Does it help to give them their own cameras? Does that give them a "reason" or a "purpose" in being outdoors or are you just blessed with great kids? :)
My 2 boys are opposites, my older will go if there are other folks to socialize with, my younger wants it to just be us so we can goof off and go where we please.

I also like that you are going this trip without a ton of mods to the rig, a roof basket, tent, sleeping bags and go! Very nice.

Do you find that eating out vs camp cooking is good for the family in terms of bathrooms, indoors or just less gear to take?

Giving them their own cameras sure seems to help. They're both creative-types, and this gives them an excuse be inside their own heads and not quite so interactive with the parental units. And yes, we're lucky to have great kids! :)

Sarah and Colin hassle each other constantly at home. They hassle each other quite a bit on the road as well, although on the road there are more distractions and it's easier for them to forget they're supposed to be in each others' space. Mostly it's an age thing though, I think, and each trip is significantly easier than the last.

There is nowhere we went that hadn't been traveled by a local in a Toyota Echo or Pontiac Vibe, except for maybe the rocky beach at Long Point. The Jeep has a slight lift, which was comforting in a couple of spots, but really we could have done 99% of this trip in the Camry. The rack on the Jeep made luggage a non-issue, which was really nice for a change.

Eating out is expensive. I like that it's self-contained with available bathroom facilities and running water, which makes it easy. It's not quick though. Our original plan was to hit grocery stores and make sandwiches, but food in Canada just about as expensive in the store as just ordering it at Tim's. That was a surprise. When I travel by myself, I find I eat significantly less and most of it comes from gas station shelves and freezers. I'm certain that our greatest unnecessary expense was food.

Glad you're enjoying the pictures. I'm only about half-way through posting..

John

[scarysharkface]

Stopping to feed the black flies, which really aren't all that bad thanks to a light breeze, taking more pictures and stretching the legs a bit..

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Every now and again the road brings us to a view..

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Some of the bridges, while stout, are minimal..

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Pretty much the view is similar for quite a while..

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With rises and dips, and rocks sticking up..

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We're moving along at a pretty decent clip much of the time..

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John

[scarysharkface]

Then there are sections that slow us down..

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The surface varies, whether physically or just by the late afternoon light..

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For the most part, these logging roads have been fantastic. Occasionally, though, there are large immovable chunks of rock sticking up out of the gravel. Most of them are simply jolting if hit, but some are tall enough to eat a differential or axle and must be navigated-around. As they were fewer and fewer, I thought I'd better get a shot of at least a minor small one..

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I can imagine this road being more than a little bit exciting when the logging trucks are running...

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925183940_24iZQ-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925184439_H62WW-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925184610_rfrpC-XL.jpg

The shadows are again becoming long..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925184712_WRxZu-XL.jpg

We take the time to stretch our legs a bit again anyway..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925185199_hnKFm-XL.jpg

John

[78Bronco]

I have thus far managed to avoid all that. :sombrero:

Avoid the Quidi Vidi? Not so much. :wings:

I thought you werne't allowed in NFLD until you had performed this honorable and long standing tradition. Huh:ylsmoke:

[scarysharkface]

I thought you werne't allowed in NFLD until you had performed this honorable and long standing tradition. Huh:ylsmoke:

Of the handful of times I've visited The Rock, no one's even offered it! Too late now..

:ylsmoke:

[scarysharkface]

A couple of videos of the drive..

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John

[d110pickup]

Thanks for the outstanding trip report, I enjoyed it.
Mike

[scarysharkface]

By now we are past the lake and will pickup the "road" at some point, I think..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925185801_8AhhM-XL.jpg

The surface deteriorates considerably. The rocks are bigger and in places the road has washed-away leaving some (un)reasonably-deep surprises in the dimming light..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925186232_ZLAnX-XL.jpg

I think this is the actual, real, not-a-logging-road road..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925186374_Laxgb-XL.jpg

A milestone (kilometerstone?) for the Jeep..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925186597_PGVAm-XL.jpg

And according to the Canada topo, it passed while some distance out in the boonies..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925186829_8dfHJ-XL.jpg

The road by now is spectacularly crappy. The protruding rocks are larger and blend-in more with the roadway (shadows really helped, and now they're all but useless), the if it's not a rock it's a big pothole. And of course, the sun is setting and we've got miles yet to go before we hit pavement again..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925187178_JmQUM-XL.jpg

Thinking to myself that this would be a beautiful place to be stranded for the evening, we continue at a mild pace to keep the surprises less-so..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925187354_w7Gdg-XL.jpg

Alas, pavement is soon under the wheels and we make good time in the dusk toward Barachois Pond Provincial Park. We pass a couple of moose along the way, get checked-in and setup in the dark far away from the rest of the campers in a vacant day-use area the rangers suggested..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925187743_JzEZk-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925188660_AEsBs-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

Morning comes early, but it's not raining so it's all good. Showers then hit the road..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925239320_md6Nq-XL.jpg

We grab breakfast and meander South and West along the coast..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925239545_XiH5p-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925239738_6MhYH-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925240491_rsGSZ-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925240674_3hyNB-XL.jpg

Beachcombing..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925241028_G67bE-XL.jpg

The blue sky and clouds do interesting things to the water..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925241910_jUmGv-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925242229_3uoYj-XL.jpg

John

[upcruiser]

Finally had a chance to get online with my laptop (iphones can't handle trip reports heavy in images!) and let me just say, WOW. What a fantastic trip. I love the way you tell the story primarily through images, that speaks to me more than words ever could. What a great family experience and lifelong memories you are building from this trip. So cool. I haven't been out that way yet but this just motivates me more to make it a priority. Nice work and thanks for taking the considerable time to share it.

[scarysharkface]

Sorry for the delay in continuing this trip report...

We continue until the road begins to peter out..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925242472_KtZcJ-XL.jpg

And there is a choice of continuing down to the beach or stopping at this overlook..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925242574_GgsGH-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925242901_8T2WC-XL.jpg

On the way back North I can't resist this shot of our first stopping point of the day.. Cool how the views change when you're going the other direction!

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925243346_ukQb5-XL.jpg

We cross a bit of the T'railway as we approach the TCH again..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925243577_fS2Ye-XL.jpg

We explore a bit in the Codroy Valley..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925244232_Pq4ty-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925245029_J5XP8-XL.jpg

And head down to another beach..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925246804_nJ7TC-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925249286_Cu4Cs-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925249800_NfHA5-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

You show me someone who isn't easily entertained by the stuff that washes up on any beach and I'll show you someone who isn't one of this family..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925250186_fEE2a-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925250816_DnPVj-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925252499_VTZUP-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925252807_h8mJk-XL.jpg

Nice sandy dunes here as well..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925253174_zSvEf-XL.jpg

And with that, we're as much as back on the road for at least a little while..

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John

[scarysharkface]

We have some time, since our ferry has been delayed several hours due to mechanical issues (it's running on one engine instead of two, apparently), so we motor on over toward Rose Blanche..

The weather is different along the Southern coast..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925253844_5zpSt-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927183952_GCiKy-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925254475_LxRJH-XL.jpg

It's like the moon here, if the moon had rain and plants..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927196072_nLkiq-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925255008_Hvjp3-XL.jpg

Such a rugged landscape..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925255384_vb9aj-XL.jpg

And civilization thrives..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925255785_KtyXi-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

This is the community of Rose Blanche..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925255915_QUfgg-XL.jpg

Nestled between the rocks and water..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925256406_JCmQJ-XL.jpg

Just past and up the hill, where we are, is the road to the lighthouse..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925256699_nrQ9Y-XL.jpg

In many ways the scenery changes around every turn, yet it some ways there is a brutal consistency. At least these aren't going to be chewing on us..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925256816_EDaap-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925257208_VX6J2-XL.jpg

We reach the end of the road and discover that there's a fee to walk over the hill to view the Rose Blanche Lighthouse, so instead we poke around and enjoy a few of the free attractions on the other side of the parking area..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925257485_xT3aZ-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925257632_TKzpG-XL.jpg

I think the kids are enjoying this. I hope they are. I do think they appreciate that we've drug them to a part of the world most people will never see..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925257938_sYyki-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927222736_5kCPP-XL.jpg

It seems that this is how my family sees me, as I look down to check the last exposure..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927218939_GtY3D-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

On the way out to Rose Blanche we passed a boardwalk extending across the tundra/muskeg/bog/rocks/etcetera and made a note to stop on our return..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925259128_kxP8B-XL.jpg

I believe it was technically closed due to structural issues, but we continued..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925259688_3MMVR-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925260448_t4Yrv-XL.jpg

This was definitely one of those "watch where you walk" endeavors..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925260587_LTi8x-XL.jpg

Nearing the end, we were greeted with a bench which offered a good, relaxing view of a waterfall..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925260150_sUbYm-XL.jpg

It's a neat little walk, and while not overwhelming in what is seen, still worth the thirty minutes of diversion if you're in the area..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925261431_vHupt-XL.jpg

Interesting plants along the walk..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927241324_or8rE-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927250366_wMm87-XL.jpg

And another milestone for the Jeep..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925262911_5idnT-XL.jpg

John

[Blackhorserider]

We have some time, since our ferry has been delayed several hours due to mechanical issues (it's running on one engine instead of two, apparently), so we motor on over toward Rose Blanche..

The weather is different along the Southern coast..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925253844_5zpSt-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927183952_GCiKy-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925254475_LxRJH-XL.jpg

It's like the moon here, if the moon had rain and plants..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927196072_nLkiq-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925255008_Hvjp3-XL.jpg

John

I find myself tracking your movements using Yahoo Maps so I can see where you are along your Journey and where all these beautiful places are...

Hillie

[scarysharkface]

I find myself tracking your movements using Yahoo Maps so I can see where you are along your Journey and where all these beautiful places are...

Hillie

It would be fun to have the geo-tagging option installed in the camera. So many cool places, yet so little time!

More pics to follow..

John

[westyss]

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925262911_5idnT-XL.jpg

dont think for a minute that we didnt notice the duct tape covering ____???
Maybe the check engine light??

[scarysharkface]

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925262911_5idnT-XL.jpg

dont think for a minute that we didnt notice the duct tape covering ____???
Maybe the check engine light??

Don't you wish! :rolleyes:

It covers that laser-bright blue high-beam indicator. I can see it clearly through the tape during daylight, and at night it is absolutely blinding. So a friend suggested the duct tape and it's just about perfect. :smiley_drive:

John

[AZchris]

Don't you wish! :rolleyes:

It covers that laser-bright blue high-beam indicator. I can see it clearly through the tape during daylight, and at night it is absolutely blinding. So a friend suggested the duct tape and it's just about perfect. :smiley_drive:

John

Haha, I HATE THAT LIGHT. When I saw your pic I knew exactly why the tape was there.

[Root Moose]

It covers that laser-bright blue high-beam indicator.

Seems all auto manufacturers do this. "He's got his high beams on! Quick! Do something to ruin his night vision!" Nuts. When I get around to it I'm boing to change the bulb to a red one... or something.

[Blackhorserider]

<tap> <tap> Hello? Anybody there?

[xdt]

I am not certain what function this has, but it would appear that the log trucks drive between to squeeze the logs tight when they lash them down. Feel free to correct me if they have some different function..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927144766_4z5QW-XL.jpg


On the main land we call them load liners, the trucker would back his load of 2.44 metre (8') pulpwood between the drums to even the sides of the load before heading out on the public road. In Newfoundland they may have a different name for them. They have some interesting names for things for example the box of a pick up truck is called a "pan".

I enjoyed the pictures and commentary of your trip.

[scarysharkface]

Sorry I haven't been in much frame of mind to post lately. We've had some family business to address and I simply haven't been in the frame of mind to slow down and look at the pictures. I'll post more soon.

John

[scarysharkface]

I'm back. Thanks for your patience.

If you take one of the long ferries, and unless you're running the Trans-Lab and taking the short boat from Blanc Sablon, you're taking one of the long ferries, you'll at least want to reserve a dormitory bunk. Tracy and the kids turned-up their noses when they first saw them packed together as they are, but before too long they changed their tune.

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925341901_Kusum-XL.jpg

Soon enough we were back on dry land and taking pictures of stuff. Dry is, of course, a relative thing..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925342294_2Wqs5-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/927263990_YA3vo-XL.jpg

We hit-up Mike's Lunch in Glace Bay for some vittles and his reliably-fantastic blueberry cobbler..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925343197_ovWCD-XL.jpg

We made camp at the top of the hill overlooking Mira Bay, at the 99-year-old bungaloo where my Mom and her Mom played when they were young.

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925344424_8Yf3Q-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925343671_7bm6w-XL.jpg

It seems we have company..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925344242_aidpX-XL.jpg

John

[crosbike]

What a great trip and stunning photographs.

[scarysharkface]

Plenty of time to wander down to the beach at Mira..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925344771_wgkXL-XL.jpg

June 29th, and it's cool enough to make a knit cap worthwhile..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925344989_xms4k-XL.jpg

Look in the bushes anywhere, and you'll find strawberries!

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925345659_CwtPG-XL.jpg

Tiny and wild, and very sweet..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925345955_xrd2Q-XL.jpg

The flowers are beautiful..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925346078_MbUr9-XL.jpg

Not mine, but I wish it were..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925347023_hrZcV-XL.jpg

Seriously, strawberries are everywhere..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925347690_JKWdq-XL.jpg

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Soon enough it's dinner time, so we hit up Toad's Take-Out at Albert Bridge, five miles West on The Brickyard..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925348495_X5kHi-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

Another misty morning...

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925354531_i4XMG-XL.jpg

While Colin, Tracy and I were eating groceries for breakfast, Sarah had other plans..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925355630_gzVPW-XL.jpg

Everything seems to be blooming..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925355750_CT2kJ-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925356273_jt4X6-XL.jpg

We hit the road to Halifax, hoping to connect with another friend later today...

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925357576_XfAWA-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925356772_R4UJ6-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925357654_nHxK3-XL.jpg

John

[mires]

Looks like you guys had an amazing time!

[Motojournalism]

I thought I recognised that nut lying-down on the railway tracks:bike_rider:

Wasn't the port au port penninsula great! I LOVED that road...
http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/923352916_CvB3Y-XL.jpg


Great pics John, I love seeing a different view of familiar territory. Keep it coming, can't wait to see more!

[Christian P.]

Great trip report!! I think you also deserve a seat in our trip of the Month contest!!

:)

[scarysharkface]

Great trip report!! I think you also deserve a seat in our trip of the Month contest!!

:)

Kind of you to think so, but I'm too early and have not done well with finishing this report! Family things have derailed it (my wife's mother died, among other things) and it's been difficult to look backward without revisiting what a difficult year it's been for her.

I'll wrap it up soon though, since it is mostly wrapped-up at this point anyway..

John

[scarysharkface]

We spent a relaxing evening with my friend TREE, and were able to hit the road again at a comfortably-late hour on Canada Day morning..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925371314_o6MB3-XL.jpg

Big low-frequency radio goings-on at Sackville..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925371415_LE2d7-XL.jpg

Although the name of it escapes me at the moment, there is a fantastic city park at St. John, New Brunswick. We stop whenever we pass through the area, and climb on the rocks along the Bay of Fundy..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925372187_csC9v-XL.jpg

Wildlife abounds..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925372294_i66zf-XL.jpg

It's just off the first exit South of the $0.25 toll bridge, and really is a beautiful setting..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925372574_j5kHL-XL.jpg

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I love the walkways over the delicate terrain..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925374176_2DCLf-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925374594_BdhGe-XL.jpg

Lots of leafy green vegetation..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925374752_U28DY-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

And did I mention rocks? Yes, coastline and sand and rocks..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925375161_zqaAv-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925375486_BJdPB-XL.jpg

My Grrrlzz..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925375893_hr3As-XL.jpg

Rock!

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925376599_MEsY7-XL.jpg

Colin has the greatest time taking pictures of minutiae, but still has trouble keeping his shoes tied sometimes..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925376778_sPNM4-XL.jpg

It's just so very nice to sit on the rocks in the sun, listening to the waves..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925379091_52roB-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925382663_uEqpy-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925383382_StL5o-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925383875_FmnYL-XL.jpg

John

[scarysharkface]

Miles to go before we sleep, so meandering back to the Jeep by a circuitous route lets us say our goodbyes to Canada, until the next time...

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925384038_RPVx6-XL.jpg

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925384189_bpeWA-XL.jpg

Before too long, we're passing through the new border crossing at Calais/St. Stephens, and then in a motel room in Freeport with our friend Geode (who managed to dodge the camera somehow). This pic will have to suffice..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925371011_mEk9W-XL.jpg

The next morning we head to Vermont, with a stop by BlackHorseRider's place. After a few trial-runs with a milk crate strapped to the back of a BMW GS, she and her dog Journey will soon be tearing up the roads on a Ural sidecar rig for the foreseeable future..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925388738_njJ2n-XL.jpg

As we passed so nearby, Colin and I wanted to at least take a peek at a connector trail for the Appalachian Trail. Pretty cool. Maybe one day he'll hike it..

http://scarysharkface.smugmug.com/photos/925390256_MPWEs-XL.jpg

Lo and behold, that's the last picture we took before reaching home in Indiana a couple of days later.

It was a fantastic trip, and just almost right at 6k miles in the Jeep if memory serves. The best part for us, obviously, was getting to see old friends and make new ones. The often-exotic scenery was just a very nice bonus. The Jeep has been a great addition to our family by making this kind of trip both fun and possible. Sure, we could have done 99% of the trip in a Corolla, but being able to comfortably drive the rocky beach at Long Point or the logging road along Red Indian Lake provided us all with a sense of adventure that would otherwise have been lacking.

It sure is nice to get off the beaten path every now and again, if only to breathe..

John

[BEVAN]

One of the best trip reports I've seen.

[scarysharkface]

One of the best trip reports I've seen.

Thank you! There's some fabulous stuff on this site, and relatively-speaking I am just a wannabe-poser. Some (okay, many) of these guys and gals are the real thing!

And I hope it's obvious that this was a great experience for our family. We'll remember this time together for the rest of our lives.

John

[JJackson]

John I believe the park in Saint John, if it's the one that is an island is called the Irving Nature Park, though it may have another name, I know the beach on the way in is called Saints Rest. I remember that place before it was a park. Grew up about a 15 minute in land along the Saint John River.

[scarysharkface]

John I believe the park in Saint John, if it's the one that is an island is called the Irving Nature Park, though it may have another name, I know the beach on the way in is called Saints Rest. I remember that place before it was a park. Grew up about a 15 minute in land along the Saint John River.

Yes, that's it. Irving Nature Park. Beautiful little peninsula. We stop there every time.

John

[Gregster]

Awesome pictures John, now I see why you missed the Skibum Soiree at Mike's, you were already there :safari-rig:
It looks like seeing Newfoundland with the family would be every bit as much fun as touring it by motorcycle, just different. Opportunities to do trips of this magnitude with teenage childeren don't happen very many times in ones life and like you said they grow up fast. Thanks for taking time to post it up. :coffee:

Greg




Skibum Soiree motorcycle trip report(s) for those interested, with some familiar faces of the people John met on this trip:
http://www.ridetherock.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6136
:bike_rider:

[skibum69]

See, the Soiree lives on.....Hi john:REExeSwimmingHL:


whew, just skimmed through the whole RR, don't know why I missed it earlier? Sorry. Thanks for the props to my folks, mom really enjoyed seeing you all when you were here, sorry we couldn't hang out more with my pesky work schedule.

cheers my friend, maybe I'll make it down there again one of these days.

[GetOutThere]

Just read the whole excellent trip report, and it really makes me want to get out of Ontario and head over there!

I share Colin's love for Jack Link's, and had to laugh when you mentioned the smell. The stuff STINKS!! But, oh so delicious! (especially the sweet and spicy)

I love the mildly modded vehicle adventures best, as they seem very real to me. Shows that you don't need oodles of cash and a super-rig to go and have fun.

I only have one question: Did you stop to check on that biker with his bucket on the side of the road? I don't know how it works over there (or in other places), but here in Ontario that (usually) means a biker needs assistance.

[greentruck]

Thanks for your richly documented report. It's an inspiration, as my wife and I are planning a trip to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2012.

[scarysharkface]

I only have one question: Did you stop to check on that biker with his bucket on the side of the road? I don't know how it works over there (or in other places), but here in Ontario that (usually) means a biker needs assistance.

We stopped and/or did the thumbs up/down thing with anyone we passed who appeared to possibly need assistance. Gotta keep the Karma bank full. Usually people have already made a cell call and are just waiting, but not always!

The folks riding the little Yammi at Mira were frolicing with friends in the vicinity of the pit toilets. There were no indications of trouble.. ;)

John