Tag: Gros Morne

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Edgie

I am now an official ‘Edgie’ – meaning I have completed the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism‘s Edge of the Wedge Course. This was truly the best and most enlightening course I’ve ever taken – it was all about how to enhance the experience of our guests and our community in the process. We’re new to the tourism industry; I came to this with an empty tool box and am leaving with a full one.

We wrapped up last night with a performance by Anchors Aweigh (quite literally one of the best Newfoundland bands I’ve ever heard), and a kitchen party that lasted til 4Am – how ‘Newfoundland’ is that? (Although in full disclosure, I only last til 2:30, since I have a long drive ahead of me today, back to the east coast – can’t wait to put what I’ve learned into practice).

And by the way, here’s my new band, The Tuckamore or Less, on our first performance! Big thanks to GMIST for such an awesome couple of days!

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Hooking Rugs (Molly) Made Easy

And the learning continues in Gros Morne thanks to the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism and, today, Molly Made Fibre Art Studio. Molly Made is a great, local business success story, and if you’re in Woody Point or the Gros Morne area, you can for free go to the studio and learn how to hook rugs, and take a kit home (and you can also order the kits online if you’re interested).

Local experience can enhance a tourists’ stay, so yesterday, as you can see, we ‘experienced’ hooking rugs, a Newfoundland tradition. Great in concept, and everyone in the class with a greater attention span than me really learned something! It was really fun, and followed by soup and sandwiches (moose and chicken and pea) provided by the Anglican Church vestry.

If you’re in Woody Point or the Gros Morne area, I highly recommend Molly Made – so you can learn to hook rugs, too!

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An Epiphany a Day

I’m on the west coast for the next few days attending a course given by the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism. Today was the first full day of activities and already I’ve been blow away – so many epiphanies in so little time! I’m learning how to give guests an experience, not just a room. It is not just about taking business and commodification but about creating value and helping our guests to feel part of something – ‘Ah Ha’ moments all around.

Being an entrepreneur by nature, my mind was opened today to the many, many ways we can incorporate the wonder of the people we have met and the places we have been on the Baccalieu Trail to give our guests special memories they can carry with them always and share with their friends – and we’ll find ourselves and our community enriched in the process. A win-win if ever there was one!

I can’t wait for the next two days and what they will deliver. Then it is back to WWW (the Wonderful World of Whiteway) to put together a plan of implementation.

Bringing out our inner children, playing with sea creatures at the marine centre. This is a sea mouse.

Shed party (a Newfoundland tradition) with Daniel Payne, a real treat. This guy is an awesome entertainer – please check him out!

Locals cook us moose stew and seafood chowder ….. and a most wonderful dinner with the chef incorporating us into the meal!

And all the while surrounded by such lovely vistas. What a spot!

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On the Road Again

As I mentioned a few days ago, yesterday I hit the road, heading to Gros Morne for a four-day course given by the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism.  This was my first road trip in awhile. My last one was a doozy – driving with the Berry (Laurelyn) south to Florida, west to California, up the coast to British Columbia, then back across the country. So comparatively, yesterday’s trip was a piece of cake, and travellers to Newfoundland should know that while the threat of moose is to be taken seriously, driving our stretch of the TCH is pretty easy and offers some great views.

I love being on the road, with my thoughts running as varied as the scenery. Driving along, sipping coffee, listening to music and sometimes just the sounds of the road – what a great way to spend the day! And since I am now a bonafied blogger, I took some shots along the way. I’m always excited when the mountains first start to peak up when driving west in Newfoundland.

My chariot awaits!

If you’ve done any driving in Newfoundland, chances are you’re familiar with this big guy!

Long way to go!

Where it all began (my birthplace).

See? Wide open road – I told you it’s a great place to drive!

And there’s that view.

Welcome to Gros Morne (and yes, I did pull over to take all these pics!).

662km later, I reach my destination. Looking forward to an informative few days with a great group of people!

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Gros Morne Bound

Tomorrow I head to Gros Morne, on the west coast of the island. I’ll be attending a course given by the Gros Morne Institute of Sustainable Tourism – we want to learn how to give our guests an experience, not just a room.

It’s a bit of a drive to Rocky Harbour, but thankfully I’ve got good friends in Gander, Grand Falls and Corner Brook – and I think my drop-ins just might correspond with meal times (cheap bastard or smart one?).

Unfortunately, I have to leave the Berry (Laurelyn) at home – it’s a four day course and she doesn’t have the time now – but lucky for me, soon I’ll be in the land you see below, and staying at the Fisherman’s Landing Inn. I’m new to the tourism industry, and with conferences like these, turns out we’re spoiled in this province!