Day 12-Gander to St John’s NFL- June 12-13

 

Woke to a foggy morning and waited at McDonalds until the mist lifted didn’t want to injure a moose Don gets in all the pics……GO PRO through the dirty windshield.

The ride was uneventful until we hit the narrow section from Come By Chance to Chapel Arm…..here the winds played havoc with the bikes.

The night before, I had contacted my Executive Assistant….Denise out in BC…….an ex pat of St John’s for help in finding a place to stay. Now there are a number of Hotels but 200 to 300 a night……tenting campgrounds scarce. Denise, contacted her brother and sister in law who came to our assistance and offered their cottage to us for  about Wednesday and Thursday. The residence is located 35 minutes west of St John’s.

Arriving in St John’s at the docks

Boy, was I shocked at the changes. I was last here with my spouse 26 years ago. Most of the old buildings like the Hudson Bay Store from ions ago where replaced or being replaced by BIG CITY TYPE DEVELOPMENT…good foe the economy but sad to see that special Ambience that was lost. Still  plenty to see…..Nfd landers still like the colours, yellow.blue.red and variations thereof, but it is giving way to newer construction and style changes. Hybernia Oil and new Mining activity must be creating a financial boom as numerous new subdivisions and homes being replaced all through the Peninsula of St John’s from Pouch Cove to Holyrood. This we observed with a tour and narrative from our host Don……then our self tour this am.

It was important or so I thought that Don get to see Signal Hill the site of the 1st Trans Atlantic Wireless signal sent across the Ocean…….kids this was before the internet as you know it…..          I had to climb those stairs to get that pic out the window…… Don, be careful….you don’t need to go any further East……..Heather needs you….its a long way to the water….This is Cape Spear with the new and old light house.

Lost in Quidi Viddi….a cove village on the edge of St John’s……we were attempting to find our hosts who reside in Logy Bay only about 10 minutes from here when you know your way…lol…but Don being Don when the young lass who gave us directions suggested we visit Linda’s pub…….Looked like Don had a thirst on so into this bar we went……now the story is that this bar about 40 years old whish resides in a house that claims to be over 200 years old may be inhabited by spirits….well the only spirit that Don and I were looking for was of the alcoholic type and we settled for a local brew Quidi Viddi # 92 along with a couple steaming bowls of soap…seafood chowder and wild turkey. Don’s happy hour…… some pics of Quidi Harbour such a pre tty spot…….yup that brew was for real Don……

Next stop was the home of Carol and Don where we would pick up the key to the Cabin…

Carol and Don suggested we spend the night at their home rather than drive back out to the cabin…..hostesses who took us into their home as though we where family…so generous. Carol served us tea and baked goods as we talked about ourselves and our journey…. Don thought we should get some education on the area and took us on a journey through out St John’s and the surrounding villages….now this was a narrated tour which would help our self guided tour for today…..weather unfortunately altered our plans and re did the north section rather than the south…..we were concerned that the weather would worsen and make it difficult to get to Labrador in our allotted time so we missed out on the stay at the Cabin though we stopped by for a photo op……Carol had gotten up early wanting to make us breakfast but I declined….I find it difficult to intrude almost unannounced into someone else’s space but I can assure you the kindness and generosity was real…….sincerely appreciated and we both look forward to hosting you and your family in the future……Don…..its 15 minutes to 12 midnight is that game over yet….I still don’t know who won…….

As it is late, I will update today’s trip hopefully tomorrow night, We are now in Gander…..tomorrow we will be around Gros Morne National Park…..the area which is Carol’s childhood home.       

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