Newfoundland Trip - Day 7

Ferry (named "Caribou") dropped me off in North Sydney around 0030. Started to drive back towards Halifax, but got tired. A gas station attendant let me sleep in their parking lot from 0230 to 0630. In the morning, started driving down the coast - great views. Arrived in Halifax just in time (1200) - was able to watch marching soldiers at the citadel. Explored the city for a little while. Started to sprinkle later, so drove back to New Brunswick. I wanted to get on the ferry for Prince Edward Island in the morning, but there was no line for the evening crossing tonight. Had some trouble with my credit card today - I think I hit my limit. Luckily, they use an old system and still gave me tickets for the ferry fare... Found a campsite right when I got over to PEI - Cumberland Cove Campground.

Newfoundland Trip - Day 6

Had a good sleep last night. Spent a lot of the day in this beautiful park. Gros Morne seems to be a little like Scandinavia - the lakes are long and narrow, stuck in the middle of tall mountain valleys. I would say they look like fjiords - but I don't know. Hiked a bunch and ate food I brought. Stayed until around 1400. Later, visited a little park called Port-aux-Choix - a Native American site that told the story of the original inhabitants of Newfoundland (I guess the Scraelings of Norse mythology...). It was interesting. Visited Grand Codroy Provincial Park. Luckily, I got back to Port-aux-Basques in time for the ferry - there were big lines going back to Nova Scotia... Boarded at 1930 for ride over - dozed...

Newfoundland Trip - Day 5

When I got up, the weather was great - sunny and not as cold as yesterday. From my campground, I could see out into the ocean. There are huge icebergs everywhere! My camp neighbors took some good pictures of me... Over to Lanse-aux-Meadows later - site of the purported 1000 AD landing of the Vikings (Leif Ericson?). Very interesting museum and recreation of the sod homes... Just this place was worth the drive! Spent several hours walking around the park and taking in the cool summer air. I looked over towards Labrador - had there been a bridge or ferry right then, I would have gone over. Don't think too many roads are paved over on that side, though... Left in the early afternoon and drove back towards Port-aux-Basques. Visited Grose Morne again. Found a good campsite in Rocky Harbor.

Newfoundland Trip - Day 4

Ferry dropped me off in Port-aux-Choix around 0900 - good timing (thank God for the little sleep I actually got on the way over!). Nice day - sunny and cool. Drove up the west coast of the island. Stopped a few times for food and gas. There aren't any men around at all! I talked to some of the gas station girls - they said all the men leave Newfoundland for work in other parts of Canada and the US. Enjoyed scenery at Gros Morne National Park. Arrived at Pistolet Bay Provincial Park in evening. Found a good campground and took advantage of their rec-room. Went to bed early - tired!!!

Newfoundland Trip - Day 3

Woke up early - it is very rainy. Left after getting camping gear dried off as much as possible. Drove over to Port Hawkesbury. Crossing the causeway, saw a van that looked like Gerard's - couldn't be... (???). Continued along the western side of Cape Breton and enjoyed some sun in the afternoon. Found some great coastal rock formations for climbing. Met some nice people. Around sunset, camped near Cape Breton-Newfoundland ferry. After getting camp set-up, drove down to pier to inquire about crossing times. The ticket agent told me that I should get in line tonight to make sure I can get across by tomorrow morning. If I waited, he said the line would be huge... Went back to campground and convinced the manager to give me a refund. Headed back to the line and paid for my turn on the Ferry. It left in the middle of the night. Once car was on the boat, caught some shuteye in a row of seats...

Newfoundland Trip - Day 2

Left campsite in the morning. Unbelievable image of low tide versus the high I'd seen before! Picked up US-1 and drove all the way up the coast to the crossing to Canada. Got searched at border. Drove over towards St. John, New Brunswick. Visited the Bay of Fundy - everything I expected! Tides are amazing - found a little harbor where you could actually watch the boats rising and falling during the day. Explored the Park a little and then drove over to Nova Scotia. Camped just before dark near the town of Truro. I noted the names of towns are like those on Cape Cod - my dad says it's because the Loyalists left Massachusetts after the American Revolution and settled here. I heard that Gerard is out here somewhere. I'll try to catch up with him in Cape Breton tomorrow... Found a good campsite before dark.

Newfoundland Trip - Day 1

Left this morning after making one last check at the post office for any mail. This will be my last time calling Dennis home! Got a couple of letters and headed out of town by 1000. Took MA-3 up to Boston and got through city without much trouble (good day to drive north...). Made it into Maine by 1300. Picked up a hitchhiker late in the day. She was on a vacation of her own - hitching across Maine. Camped on Cobscook Bay (Cobscook Bay State Park).

[Wareham, MA] (USA)

[date uncertain - route uncertain - Dad went with me on my delivery route]

Coventry, CT (USA)

[date uncertain - drove Matt (and friends) to "Crossroads" camp in Coventry, Connecticut - (took US-44 there) through west side of Providence - he wanted me to spend the night but I needed to go home - drove back via Willimantic and US-6]