Gros Morne National Park

Day 17: 27.07.09Today is the end of three relatively full days of travel. It’s certainly somewhat of a relief to be able to set up the van secure in the knowledge that we dont have repack for three days. After leaving Port Aux Basque this morning, we set off up the highway in search of milk so that we could have breakfast. Our search however, was fruitless necessitating a stop at a roadhouse for a late and rather large breakfast. Pushing on up to Cornerbrook on the TCH1 (Trans Canada Highway), we stopped for groceries and a visit to the bank.

Noticing subtle but scenic changes in the landscape, we passed into Gros Morne national Park early in the afternoon. This park is one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the famous Viking Trail. Our trusty Montana wove in and around some spectacular mountain ranges past scenic lakes and waterways. In spite of the overcast and drizzly conditions, the scenery was spectacular. It has been said that this area is one of those rare places on the planet that transcends any superlatives. From the ragged mountain ranges rising hundreds of meters into the air to the narrow fiords, I can see that this is so.

Tomorrow we look forward to discovering some of this unique area for ourselves. We have also reserved a seat on the Western Brook Pond Tour for Wednesday.

Day 18: 28.07.09Does it ever do anything but rain in Canada? After yet another tumultuous and stormy night we awoke to pouring rain, thunder and lightning – a great deterrent to getting out of bed. We console ourselves that we are relatively dry in our trusty van and decide to make the most of the day as offered to us.

The Gros Morne Discovery Centre is located near Woody Point, about 35 minutes drive from here and we made for this as soon as we were ready. This proved to be quite interesting, firstly, because there was a cruise ship in Bonne Bay and secondly because we learn much about the geology and history of the area. Apparently the geology of the park reinforces the theory of plate tectonics and continental drift!

Heading back to Rocky Harbour, we decided it’s time for lunch and sample genuine moose burgers followed by bakeapple cheesecake for lunch. After this, we decide to visit the lighthouse at Lobster Cove. Underneath in the old residence was a museum and it provided some insight into life in the area in days gone by. The kids became a little bored and the boys preferred to construct Inukshuks from some rocks out the front whilst Em collected and ate wild strawberries and dewberries growing in abundance in and around the area.

The evening was quiet. Thank goodness for IPODS and other electronic devices. The kids dont seem to be missing television at all!