Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Newfoundland, Trout River and a bit of Gros Morne Park)

July 5th: My travel companion was restless this morning, so we took a short drive to the Discovery Centre, at the edge of Gros Morne National Park near Woody Point, Newfoundland. 

The Tablelands Gros Morne National Park

The Discovery Centre has a fascinating display of the geological history of Newfoundland. When I was about 15 years old, I had plans to be a geologist. (One of my teenage dreams in a long line of potential ist-careers, including a paleontologist, archeologist, or marine biologist.) I still pick up interesting rocks wherever I go and take them home. Typically, a year or so later, I look at the rock and wonder where the hell I found that one. I really should label them.

About the time we left the Discovery Centre, the fog lifted, and I decided to continue on for another 17 kilometers to the oceanside fishing community of Trout River. 

Trout River, Newfoundland

This community lists around 500 year-round residents plus a summertime influx of tourists staying in the handful of cottages and B&Bs. 

The Seaside Restaurant in Trout River has a good reputation for delicious seafood. Open for lunch and dinner, I was too early for either. We turned around and headed back to our cozy cottage at Woody Point.

Essentials! Firewood and fishing equipment

Trout River, Newfoundland

Common signs in Newfoundland

I didn't realize until this afternoon how much goes on in the tiny community of Woody Point. Check out this live music event from the July 1st long weekend.

Live Music @ the Merchant Warehouse Retro Cafe & Wine Bar

https://fb.watch/lBnZQWRFgR/

 

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Woody Point Newfoundland)

July 4th: Sparky and  I are in Woody Point, Newfoundland, for three days. It is a sleepy little hamlet of about 300 residents on Bonne Bay, inside the boundaries of the Gros Morne National Park, and it has a very active arts community.

Internet photo Heritage Theatre at Woody Pt

This weekend, July 7th and 8th, is the Comedy Festival. Host Steve Patterson is bringing four wicked comics to the Woody Point Heritage Theatre: Ali Hassan, Ivan Decker, Elvira Kurt, and Bree Parsons. Unfortunately, I will be in Springdale, Newfoundland, by then. 

Then, August 15th to 20th, is the Writers at Woody Point festival. The literary festival began in 2004 and, each year, it has been a sold-out success.

The event will once again be hosted by CBC Radio’s Shelagh Rogers of “The Next Chapter," a show about Canadian writing and writers.

Shuttling passengers to Norris Point

If you want a bit of fresh air but aren't into strenuous hiking in Gros Morne National Park, BonTours will shuttle you across to Norris Point on a boat, to join their boat tour of the inlet and park shoreline.

Or, if you are into outdoorsy activities, the park offers a fabulous assortment of trails and camping sites.

I love that the French name Gros Morne translates to big gloomy place. When you see the fog rolling in and the clouds sliding down the steep mountains, you can understand why it was called Gros Morne.

Most of the funky old buildings on the Woody Point waterfront date from after 1922, when a devastating fire ripped through the downtown. The wind quickly carried the flames across the Bay to Norris Point. In all, 58 buildings were destroyed. The lighthouse, built in 1919, survived the fire.

It's an interesting place to hang out for a few days. I have discovered that a full day of driving in rain and fog takes a lot of energy, and I appreciate a day to relax, rest, and read. 

Cheers, Lynda and The Sparkinator 

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Port aux Basques to Woody Point)

July 3rd: The coastline of Newfoundland is 17,542 kilometers or 10,900 miles long! 

Woody Point, Newfoundland

I have spent the last two months driving across North America and have logged 13,050 km or 8,109 miles, but in comparison, I haven't come close to circumnavigating the coastline of Canada's 10th province. 

Did they teach us this stuff in school? I have no recollection of learning much about Newfoundland, other than it was governed by Britain and didn't join the Dominion of Canada until 1949.

And growing up we heard a variety of 'Newfie' jokes because they 'talked funny.'

https://www.vice.com/en/article/avjxj5/10-newfie-jokes

Mountain range just past Port aux Basques

A Newfie walks into a lumber yard and says, "I's building an 'ouse bye' and needs me some a dat der too be far." The clerk says, "You mean a 2 by 4?"  The Newfie answers, "Yes, bye', dat's da stuff." The clerk asks, "Well, how long do you need it?" The Newfie responds, "Well bye', I's buildin an 'ouse wit it so I's gonna need it for a while." 

So far, I've met hard-working, friendly, kind, funny, cheerful people who are happy to stop and chat and give directions or suggestions. I've been called, sweetheart, honey, darling, and sweetie a dozen times by men and women, and I have only been here 24 hours. People wave as I drive past, or when I'm walking Sparky. 

Same location as the previous photo

Today Sparky and I traveled from Port aux Basques to Woody Point, on Bonne Bay, inside the Gros Morne National Park. On the way we stopped for a visit with folks whom I've chatted with several times via Facebook, about our shared passion, Isla Mujeres Mexico. 

Bernardine and Stewart Cochrane have lived and worked in Newfoundland all their married life. They love their town, Pasadena, and their province. We shared a yummy lunch made by Bernardine and had a fun visit, talking about life on Isla Mujeres and life on Newfoundland. 

I'm loving this place!

Cheers, Lynda and The Sparkinator

On the #431 road towards Woody Point

Woody Point Public Library 

Colorful garbage containers

Fishboat on Bonne Bay waiting to offload catch