Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Cape Spear, on the edge of Canada)

Sparky at Cape Spear, NL

 July 18th: Cape Spear, the eastern edge of Canada, is located just a short drive from St. John's, Newfoundland. Sparky and I visited there, and he posed for a photo! 

Cape Spear, Newfoundland, photo Kevin Williams

Cape Spear looking toward St. John's harbour

Marker for the East Coast Trail

And for my hiking and trekking friends. The East Coast Trail is a wilderness pathway that passes through more than 30 communities in Newfoundland, for a distance of 336 kilometres, or 209 miles. National Geographic named it one of the best adventure destinations in 2012. 

Old-time police car in Black Head, Newfoundland

Then we roamed around the St. John's harbour entrance that was once protected by the now defunct Fort Amherst.

Entrance to St. John's harbour

Houses on the Signal Hill side of the harbour

After dinner, I took the Fuzz-butt for an evening stroll along the summertime-only pedestrian mall located just two blocks from our hotel. The restaurants on Water Street were busy, but I was in bed and asleep far too early to hear the live music playing in various venues on nearby George Street. 

Water Street St John's, NL 

We had an early morning departure because we were travelling from St. John's to the southern tip of the Burin Peninsula, a six-hour drive. 

Cheers, Lynda and Sir Fuzz-butt

 

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Signal Hill & Witless Bay NL)

A few more houses on Jelly Bean Row

July 17th: The afternoon edition.

Yesterday was a busy day. We wandered Jelly Bean Row in St. John's, Newfoundland, early in the morning. I snapped dozens of photographs of the colourful houses while Sparky read and answered numerous pee-mails. 

Signal Hill St. John's NL

Then, just before lunch, I drove the short distance to Signal Hill, which overlooks the narrow entrance to St. John's harbour. Signal Hill has been a key part of Newfoundland's military and communications history.

The Battle of Signal Hill took place on the morning of September 15, 1762, between the French and British.

It was the final battle of the Seven Years’ War in North America, which secured Great Britain as the dominant European power.

The Battery on Signal Hill NL

On December 12th, 1901, Signal Hill was at the centre of a major international breakthrough.

Using an antenna suspended from a kite, Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal, the letter ‘S’ in Morse code.

Marconi’s breakthrough, which was part of an ongoing rivalry with many inventors, led to a new age in communication technology. Marconi was also an entrepreneur, businessman, and founder of The Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company.

The Battery on Signal Hill, St. John's, NL

History aside, I enjoyed hiking the pathways. My travel partner wasn't thrilled. He was hot and overheated by the time we returned to our car.

The weather has become hot and humid over the last couple of days. I'll have to keep a close eye on my little old man.

Later in the afternoon, I drove to Witless Bay, to see if I could find the famous Atlantic Puffins! Well, they are there, happily inhabiting the Witless Bay Ecological Preserve, a series of small islands only accessible via a licensed boat tour.

That's the one downside to having a pooch with me. I can't easily do tours.

Cheers, Lynda and The Sparkinator

Witless Bay Ecological Preserve - out there!

Witless Bay Newfoundland

Too hot for Sparky

View from Signal Hill - Jelly Bean Row

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Jelly Bean Row St. John's Newfoundland)

Jelly Bean Row, St. John's, NL

July 17th: Early this morning, Sparky and I wandered around the famous Jelly Bean Row district in St. John's, Newfoundland. Jelly Bean Row isn't just one street; it's a collection of several streets covering a large area of the historic waterfront.

While he read and answered numerous pee-mails, I snapped photos of as many of the colourful buildings as possible. I will be posting more in the next day or two.

Newfoundland was claimed for the English in 1497 by John Cabot, working on behalf of the British Crown. But according to a sign in a local park, it was formally claimed again in 1583, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in the area that became St. John's. He intended it to be little more than a replenishing base for fishermen and hunters, so there was no permanent European presence.

Officially claimed by the British in 1583

My big question is how, or when, did the moose arrive in Newfoundland? It's too far for the animals to swim from the mainland. 

Central Newfoundland is the remains of an ocean floor that lay between North America and Africa about 500 million years ago. 

The island's west coast is part of the ancient margin of North America. 

The East Coast was once part of southwestern Europe or North Africa, so the animals wouldn't have occurred here naturally. 

Well, thanks to the internet I have my answer:

In 1904, four moose were introduced to the Newfoundland community of Howley as part of a government initiative. 

It was hoped the animals would be a good source of meat for those working in the then-booming mining and forestry industries, as well as hopefully attract sport-hunters to visit the island. 

Cheers, and Happy Monday, Lynda and The Sparkinator

Jelly Bean Row St. John's, NL

View from my hotel room in St. John's, NL

Jelly Bean Row St. John's, NL