Tag: Newfoundland

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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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Church Sunday: Two Greats in Placentia

Placentia, a little town less than a two-hour drive from our cottages, makes a great day trip for its beautiful scenery and great archaeological history, including the Castle Hill National Historic Site. And since today is Sunday, and my new mission is to highlight Newfoundland churches in my Sunday posts, here are two great ones.

The first is St. Luke’s Catholic Church, whose construction began in 1886. There is currently a campaign to determine the fate of this great building, so please check out their Facebook page. Here are some shots I took a few years ago (that’s my daughter, Emily, in the second pic – she’s a great day trip partner!):

The Anglican church in Placentia, St. Luke’s,  also has its fair share of history. Turns out on my last trip I only got a shot of the graveyard out back – but going through these old pictures makes me think a little trip down ‘south’ might be in the cards this summer!

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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!

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Early Icebergs?

According to The Telegram, some icebergs have already been sighted just north of St. John’s, making for an early start to the season. To which I say: Bring It On! I’ve been anxiously awaiting the summer now that we (and all our guests) have front row seats to all the ocean’s creatures – whales, sea birds, and yes, icebergs.

These pictures are a few years old and taken just outside St. John’s – still very cool, but all I can show you until I take some in Whiteway (stay tuned). That handsome (???) man in the bottom picture is my brother, Ron. He’ll be spending some time visiting us this summer – something else to look forward to.

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Jack Loved Spring; I Love Spring

Spring is sprung
Da grass is riz
I wonder where them boidies iz
Da little boids is on da wing
Ain’t dat absoid
Da little wings is on da boid
By: well-known poet Anonymous

This is a song that my beloved (which is too weak a word to describe how loved and admired he truly was) brother, Jack, used to sing all the time. It is especially poignant now in the first days of Spring. I always liked it. Jack loved the woods and the outdoors and angling for salmon – a true Newfoundlander. This great and natural picture of him is one of my favourites, and one of the ways I like to remember him.

He always was and still is my GPS – only the signal comes from a different satellite these days.

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STJ Day

Although I now hate to leave Whiteway, who can complain about coming back to St. John’s, this ancient city – and hiker’s paradise. I can’t wait til the weather gets a little warmer and we can hit the famous East Coast Trail. These shots are from the Signal Hill area.

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I Float

This picture was taken in St. Pierre and Miquelon, French islands off the coast of southern Newfoundland. My first trip there was only a few years ago (I’ve been back several times), and I couldn’t believe I had been missing out (on all the croissants and red wine!) all these years. It truly is a beautiful place with a great European feel. Anyone with extended time touring the province might want to consider making the extra trip. It takes about an hour on the ferry to get there from Fortune, Newfoundland, which is about a 4 hour drive from our cottages, or you can take an airplane from St. John’s.

Here I am on my first visit, on a day trip to the Ile aux Marins. The tour guide said the translation of “Fluctuat Nec Mergitur” was “I float; I do not sink.” This felt like this could have been my personal motto, so I posed for the shot. Wikipedia has since informed me this phrase is the motto of Paris, and that the direct translation is “He who rises with the wave is not swallowed with it.” Both are profound, and, I hope, a reflection on how I have tried to live my life.

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Church Day: Twillingate’s St. Peter’s Anglican Church

Newfoundland is a road-trippers’ paradise, with countless little towns dotting our bays, all with their own unique history and beautiful landscapes, and, most often, their own churches. And since I have been lucky enough to have visited virtually every corner of this island throughout my life, I thought a Sunday series of church photos showcasing different communities might be interesting (and, make for a light blogging day on the Sabbath for me!).

So I’m starting with St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Twillingate. And nearby, here are some graveyard shots that I think are an excellent example of how Newfoundlanders have quite literally carved our lives into the rocky cliffs. Stunning!

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Paddy’s Day Pleasures: 2 Ways

We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in two distinct ways – not sure which one we enjoyed most. The first was in Whiteway:

On Thursday night, Laurelyn, her daughter, Rebecca, and I celebrated an early St. Patrick’s Day with a Scoff & Scuff at the local rec centre, $5 for all-you-can-eat Jigg’s Dinner (I had two plate-fulls) and $3 a drink (lets just say I had more than one).

We had a few dances, listened to some great live music by local talent, Five Atlantic, and mingled with our new neighbours. And we were home by 9 – with enough time to finish the night off with a movie. A very sane way to spend the evening, indeed – with no hangovers the next morning.

The second Paddy’s Day celebration was in St. John’s this morning:

Here we are enjoying brunch and dancing at Bridie Molloy’s in downtown St. John’s. I hope your celebrations were equally fun and varied! Which of these two appeals most to you? I’d have a hard time choosing!

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First Marshmallow Roast of 2012

Laurelyn’s daughter is in town (or wait, do I need to say, ‘around the bay’ now?) and we’re making the most of it – last night with a bonfire and roasted marshmallows. It was such a calm, beautiful day in Whiteway and the evening was just the same. A great reminder that we don’t need to wait til summer for summertime pleasures – the beach is always there and waiting for you to take advantage, no matter the season. I’m glad that last night we did! Check out some more of our shots: