Sunday, June 19, 2022

We Made it to Newfoundland!

 We boarded the ferry to Newfoundland in North Sydney, NS. Before boarding we tucked the dogs into the camper, opened a few windows and headed upstairs for our 7 hour journey. Barb does not remember the exact cost but she thinks the ferry was $260ca. Under $300 for sure. 

The accommodations on the ferry itself exceeded our expectations. Nice comfortable reclining chairs with multiple TV's. The problem is that you needed headphones we left ours in the camper. 

The seas were calm with a gentle rocking motion side to side but nothing that would upset our stomachs. We watched some baseball (without sound), read our books, napped, got a burger from the restaurant and walked around. 

There was not a lot to see outside until we got closer to Newfoundland. The first thing I noticed was snow in some of the higher elevations.  Newfoundland has always been a bucket list items of ours, I don't know why but it has always held some kind of mystique with us and we were about to land!

There she is, Newfoundland!

When the ferry was docked they allowed us to go down to our vehicles. All in all the dogs were down there about 8 hours. They were happy to see us but no worse for wear. 

It was about 8:00pm and we were ready for bed. The dogs were ready to play. So we compromised and took them for a walk when we got into town. We spent the night in the public library parking lot. Barb had heard they allow it and bonus, they had free Wi-Fi! 

So here's a strange and interesting fact about Newfoundland. They are in a different time zone than Nova Scotia. So we added another time zone to our list. Newfoundland Time Zone or NT. The weird thing about it is that it is only 30 minutes earlier than the Atlantic Time Zone. Who knew?!?!? Here is what the google has to say about it:

The Newfoundland Time Zone (NT) is a geographic region that keeps time by subtracting 3.5 hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) during standard time, resulting in UTC−03:30; or subtracting 2.5 hours during daylight saving time.[1]  It is observed solely in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland Time Zone is the only active time zone with a half-hour offset from UTC in the Americas. 

The terrain here is very rugged, lots of hills, mountains and sharp cliffs covered in low vegetation and trees. I will try to get some more pictures of the terrain for our next post. 

The next day we headed north to Corner Brook where we stopped at the Visitors Center. We stopped there for two reasons; one was to get information on what to see in the area, the second was to check out their parking lot for our overnight stay as they allow overnight parking in their lot.

Barb gathered the information she wanted and we combined that with what Marie had given us on the area as well. In fact Marie and her husband are from Newfoundland and she had lots of great information on what to see while we are here!

One of the sites she said we should see was Captain Cook’s lookout. She did not steer us wrong there. A beautiful spot that overlooks the inlet and the city.

A quick stop by the Antique Emporium resulted in no new treasures for us from this area.

We then took the dogs for a walk in Margaret Bowater Park. A beautiful park along a stream with lots of walking trails.

There is a grate bridge that we had to cross there that Dakota was not a fan of. Yes, Harry, it is a dog video but it is worth it, really!

Since it had started to rain (again) we decided to take a drive the lady at the Visitor’s Center recommended up to Bottle Cove. We walked the beach and Barb found a few pieces of sea glass to add to her collection! It was a nice drive up the coast and took up about 1 hour up, one hour back.

By the time we got back to town it was after 4:00 and time to check out the two breweries in town! The first was Bootleg Brewing Co where Barb again had a flight and I had a pint.

 A friend of ours had posted a comment asking why we had not been posting our beers on Untapped, an app that allows you to keep track of the breweries we have visited, what we drank and how we liked them. It also allows others to “follow” us and see what beers we liked in each area. Well, Barb actually, as I have not downloaded the app for myself yet. If you want to track Barb her user name is Beerforbarb. 

We then walked down to Boomstick where we split a flight as they did not have many beers that sounded appealing to either of us.

I had to use the restroom before I left and found no signs indicating “Men’s” or “Women’s” but instead found these two signs…..

By then we were starving! Barb had seen an ad for “The Best Sushi in Newfoundland”. It may be the only sushi place on the province, but we headed there to give it a try. We walked in to Newfound Sushi, there was a glass door to the right where we could see a couple guys making sushi and some stairs leading up to an unknown area. We walked in to the area that they were making the sushi and one of the guys asked “Are you here for takeout?” “No”. “Do you have a reservation?” “No”. He mumbles something in the mic attached to his collar and says they have room for us upstairs. We walk up there and the bartender greeted us and asked “Are you the walk-ins?”. Who knew you needed reservations?!?!

They sat us at the bar, we had great service and great sushi. A little spendy, but worth it. 

We got back to the Visitor’s Center about 8:00 and tucked in for the night. The Visitor’s Center will not only fit any size rig, it also has a dump station, fresh water and they also have free Wi-Fi!

The next morning we got up and started our 1 ½ hour journey to Gros Morne National Park. Along the way Barb checked the weather. 75% chance of rain today, 100% chance tomorrow and 53% the next day. Perfect, we have 3 days there. We tried to make the most of our first day, it was cloudy and overcast but so far that 75% chance of rain had not come to fruition yet. We stopped by Southeast Brook Falls, a nice and easy 700 meter hike to the falls.




Then we went and checked into our site (#59) at Berry Hill Campground right there in the park. This is one of the few reservations Barb had made on this trip. Our $40/night site included water and electric.

Since the rain was still holding off we decided to tempt fate and go for another hike around Berry Hill Pond. Talk about beautiful scenery! About ¼ of the way around the pond it had started to rain. Do we carry on for 30-45 minutes more or do we turn around and be in our camper in 15 minutes? If it was just Barb and I we would have kept going, but the thought of two wet and smelly dogs in the camper had us beelining it back! We got wet but not soaked, we made the right decision.






This morning we woke up to the sound of rain on our roof and it has not stopped in the past couple hours. 100% chance until 4:00 then it goes down to 75%. Looks like we are going to have to find some indoor activities today. I was going to wait until we were done here at Gros Morne to post this but it is already getting long and we have two days left. Plus, today is Father's Day. Do you suppose Barb got me a new gun or did she get herself something like a 3 day package at a spa somewhere?!?!

50 comments:

  1. Lots of beautiful scenery and you guys are just getting started. You’re living our dream. Hopefully one day we’ll get to visit there too. Safe travels!
    Colibaba’s

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    1. The scenery here is beautiful! Beautiful in a rugged adventuresome sort of way. I hope you make it here someday, you would really like it.

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  2. Bravo my good man, bravo! Another fine installment. Now I can cross Newfoundland off of my list of places to go. It looks like another beautiful place. I love reading about your adventures. Isn't Barb's beer sign "boozehagbambi"? I must be following the wrong person then. Enjoy and keep the adventures coming.

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    1. No need for you to get the Untapped app. Yours would just say "Busch Light or whatever else is cheaper". Plus, I don't think you can check in at the local Walmart on the app. I will see if boozehagjethro is available for when I sign up for the app!

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  3. Oh poor Dakota and that grate bridge....hope she got a treat for crossing! Quick question, in Canada are you allowed to use US bank card or do you have to carry cash and get Canadian money? I remember back in Vancouver once I paid with American cash and they wanted to provide change in Canadian. Newfoundland looks beautiful.

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    1. We brought a thousand or so in Canadian money which we have used at stores and breweries. Otherwise we have been using our U.S. Visa card for our fuel right at the pumps. It has worked everywhere so far and does the conversion for us on the statement. Check and make sure your card does not have a fee to do it though as that could add up.

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  4. Sounds like you are having a great time in spite of the rain. Nice to hear of the "free spots" you guys have found. Good for Dakota getting over her fear and crossing the bridge. A lot of dogs do not want to cross anything they can see through.

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    1. Dakota is now very comfortable with boardwalks. She is now meeting so many people she is becoming more comfortable with strangers as well. We have more free spot scheduled for next week, hopefully they pan out!

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  5. That ferry looked like a very comfortable journey!! Such a gorgeous area Newfoundland is!! My FIL was stationed there years ago (1950s) and my BIL was born there. They would talk fondly of their time there. That is interesting too about the time zone it has! Learned something new today!

    betty

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    1. We did not know that about the time zone before coming here either. The people here are super friendly. I can see why they liked it!

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  6. :::BIG sigh!::: The post I have been waiting for, me Lovelies!

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    1. Good to hear from you! We head east from here towards Twillingate then St. John's. Any suggestions for us over there?

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    2. Uh-boy! It's been five years since then, and I can barely remember yesterday! Not going north to St. Anthony's? I went north chasing icebergs, but you are earlier in the year than I was, so you may see them elsewhere.. Also try to do the boat trip in Gros Morne if you can. It was lovely! I hate to say it, but Twillingate was not my favorite because there were tour buses there, and no icebergs. It could be completely different when you get there, but if it turns out to be too crowded, consider cutting your time short and try for Fogo Island if there is time, which felt more remote and had fewer tourists. I really loved the Bonavista peninsula! Lots of whales just off shore. That, along with the pull off just down the road from Elliston, are the two places I stealth camped in pull-outs and listened to the whale spouts just below. And the beer and pizza at Bonavista Social Club was (to me, anyway,) worth the drive! (I was pretty sick of cod and potatoes by that time!) And of course, the puffins in Elliston if they are there now! The 9/11 museum in Gander was moving, if you like that sort of thing. No "No Overnight Camping" signs back then, except in the National Parks. Curious to hear what you find now, five years later...Enjoy some cool breezes for me! We are heading to 105 by Saturday!

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    3. Thanks for the information! As of right now we are not going to St. Anthony, we just did not have time to go all the way up there. I know a few other things you listed were on our agenda but a few weren't. We thought 2 weeks here would be enough but who knew there was so much to see!

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    4. Yeah, St Anthony was a long haul. But then it was the only place left that still had ice when I was there, so I had to go! (Turns out I saw more when I got to Labrador.) It's a big province with an abundance of beauty. I was there two months and couldn't make it all the way around. I WILL go back one day! Meanwhile, I will live vicariously through you two! Enjoy!

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    5. I almost wish we had more time here. I would have liked to see Labrador as well! Great call on your part taking as much time as you did.

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  7. We love Gros Morne. I hope the rain stops for you!

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    1. Thanks for the information on the area! It has been too rainy to do any significant hikes. We have our fingers crossed tomorrow will work out but it is not looking good.

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  8. Glad to read you are enjoying Atlantic Canada.
    The weather has been totally different this year.
    Since Barb got the Fish Finder for a gift looks like you might be getting a new Cooking Apron.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your adventure.

    It's about time.

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    1. If she heard you say that about the cooking apron she just might get one in my size! More likely she would buy herself a new fishing pole!

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  9. We were sent to Newfoundland in 69-70 were there a year in Argentia right on the water husband n Navy , a air traffic controller . Remember the boat ride with 2 children 4mos and 4 years 2 dogs truck withoverhead camper . Small streams all over with trout , nearest city was 95 miles one highway in country no where to shop or eat nearby only Navy PX . Pretty isolated but caribou came up in back yard Beautiful as ever

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    1. What an awesome memory! Although you probably could not enjoy it as much as you would have liked with your hands full with two small children. There are signs for caribou on the roadways but we have yet to see one in person.

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  10. Looks like fun! Can’t wait until we arrive! We got our raincoats!

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  11. Hah, Father's Day sounds like an opportunity for Barb to get one back on you for her birthday present!
    I love touring around with you and seeing all these spots that I will never have an opportunity to visit - thankyou :)

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    1. She must have not found anything she wanted yet as there was no gift either way. I am sure she is plotting her revenge for the perfect moment!

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  12. Did Barb get you a new accordion for Father’s Day? Speaking of which; I’ll bet there is some great live music in Newfoundland!

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    1. She will probably wait until she finds the perfect gift as Father's Day has come and gone and she did not get anything. So far we have not found any music but the next leg of our trip will take us into bigger town so we may find some there!

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  13. I think Barb got you a GPS to all your favorite, I mean her favorite, Breweries. Something you can put right next to your, I mean her, Garmin 93 SV Fish Finder.

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    1. That is very possible, I know she has a couple more breweries planned for this week!

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous country!! Poor Dakota ... at least she crossed it. I would be carrying my lab Caitlan ... she hated things like that. I'm betting Barb has a special surprise for you ... new accordion sheet music!!!

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    1. Dakota is becoming a lot braver the more she is exposed to. She is even becoming more comfortable with strangers.

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  15. Have fun in New Foundland! The half hour time zone brings back a fun memory, years ago I had to travel to Australia for work (yes, I know, hard work, poor me, LOL), anyway, we were going to Adelaide Australia and as we were sitting in the Melbourne airport lounge waiting for our connecting flight, one Australian traveller commented, "half an hour and half a century behind"! Evidently the town of Adelaide was considered a sleepy backwater kind of place.

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    1. Interesting, I have never heard of anyplace being a 1/2 hour different until we came here.

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  16. We never made it to Newfoundland. Something about a 40 ft MH and a ferry didn't make me comfortable. Glad you had a smooth arrival. Looks like you are off to a great start despite the wet weather. Dakota was so cute walking across the bridge. But she made it and Zoey was there to congratulate her. Love seeing the dogs on the trails. I sure hope bought herself a nice Father's Day gift. She deserves it...haha!

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  17. There were 18 wheelers on the ferry as well. Lots of them, but I am sure they cost a lot more to get over than our rig! Now that think of it, most everything we see are cabovers or smaller class C's.

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  18. There’s a town on the east coast of NL called Brigus. Our friends named their golden retriever after it. Beauty place right on the coast and they have a renovation show called Rock Solid Builds out of there. Not sure if you have that on the list??
    Dave & Leslie

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    1. As of right now, no. We'll check it out, sounds like an interesting town. Haven't heard of Rock Solid Builders either, will check them out as well!

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  19. ooooh wow, such beautiful country and picturesque landscapes!! the ferry did look quite comfortable, i have never been on a comfortable ferry like that. i think you have gotten advice from/are talking about marie from island musings, she is a wonderful blogging friend. i would really love to travel like this, see the world...you are very lucky to be doing this!!

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    1. That is the same Marie, we were lucky enough to find her blog a month or two before going to PEI. She gave us some great insight to the island and what to see!

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  20. i just read your bio, i always wondered if you had a "home" and i see you do. what a fun adventure are on!!!

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    1. One of the goals of our travels was to find out next home. We visited a lot of beautiful states and areas but the Black Hills or South Dakota won our hearts and is the place we now call home!

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    2. reading this a second time, focusing on different parts, berry hill pond is gorgeous!!

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  21. Wow the color of the water is gorgeous! That was a long ride for the pups with no potty break. Weird time zone rule. I’m so glad Barb is checking in her beer choices. Now I don’t have to hear Steve wonder what you two are drinking! 😄

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    1. I can picture him now, not being able to work, eat or barely function as he mutters "I wonder what Jim and Barb are drinking today".

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  22. Enjoying so much your Newfoundland trip. In August 2016, my husband and I did a one month trip in our class C to eastern Canada. We also took the ferry to Newfoundland and were only going to spend four days but stayed a week. We also stayed at Berry Hill Campground on site #60!!! (I keep a journal when we travel😀😀). At that time, the sites only had water but we knew electric was planned. Enjoy your time there. We’d still love to go back and the next time we want to go to Labrador.

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    1. Our two weeks are not nearly enough. If we come back here we will plan more time and go to Labrador as well.

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  23. We need to go back and do Newfoundland, smaller camper for us though. We need to get as good as you two in finding good spots to land for the night

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    1. There are a ton of places for camper vans, cab overs and even small trailers. We have been finding most of our spots on iOverlander.

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