Labrador

We boarded the ferry at St. Barbe and headed on a trip to Labrador for the day. We landed in Blanc Sablon, Quebec and headed up the coast of Labrador as far as Red Bay. Although we didn't have much time till our return ferry (about 4 hours) we were determined to see as much as possible.

The town of L'Anse au Clair is the gateway to the Straits and southern Labrador. It is the beginning of the Trans Labrador Highway. It has a restored 100 year old church which houses the Gateway to Labrador Visitor Centre.

The Point Armour Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada. It was built in 1855 and stands 109 feet tall. It is still acitve and helps aid navigation through the sometimes treacherous Strait of Bell Isle.

This ancient burial ground in L'Anse Amour was built by the Maritime Archaie people and marks the grave of a child about 12 years old who died about 7500 years ago.

This picture was taken near L'Anse au Loup.

We were amazed by the stark beauty of the landscape. From pools of water dotting the land far above sea level, to the huge boulders scattered in fields which were covered in a spongy tundra-like vegitation.

The town of Red Bay was first used as an outpost by the Basque whalers in the 1500's and today marks the end of the paved highway in Labrador. After taking a few pictures, admiring the scenery and mailing my postcards we head back to catch the ferry to St. Barbe.

This is a section of beach just outside of Blanc Sablon, Quebec.

Waiting for the ferry to take us back to St. Barbe, Newfoundland. It has been a busy but very rewarding day.

Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

Western Brook Pond

We hiked out to Western Brook Pond which is said to be one of the purest lakes in the world. The massive cliffs of Westen Brook Pond were formed as glaciers carved through this massive block of granite.

The Wreck of the S.S. Ethie

On December 11 1919 the SS Ethie ran aground during "the worst strom ever". She was driven by steam and sail but was no match for the high winds and raging sea. Her 92 passengers and crew escaped with their lives, including a baby that was sent ashore in a mailbag.

The rusty "bones" that you see are all that remains of the SS Ethie.

Lobster Cove Lighthouse

Until the late 1800's there was no lighthouse at lobster head. Each resident of Rocky Harbour dontated a pint of oil per week to keep a light burning in the window of a local house.

In 1897 the prefrabricated cast iron sections of this light tower were hauled from St. John's.

Norris Point Nfld

This view is of Norris Point in Gros Morne National Park.

We are currently staying at a KOA in Norris Point and enjoying the excellent views. There is a `Moose Trail` that goes around a small lake and Molly has had lots of fun exploring it. So far the only moose I have seen has been Molly but I am still hopeful. We plan on staying here for at least one more day before we head north to St. Barbe.

Newfoundland September 11 2010

Since leaving Tofino BC we have had a magnificient summer travelling across the country visiting with friends and family seeing some fantastic sights and lazing on the beach for longer than we had planned. We have definately had a summer to remember and although most of my pictures are trapped on my old computer I will remember them in my mind till I can get one of my smart children to release them for me.

After a six hour ferry ride we docked in Port-aux-Basque Newfoundland.
It was truly amazing to see, rock rising directly out of the ocean and a handfull of hardy souls who had bravely built their homes, who knows how many years ago, on this beautiful but severe coast. We unloaded from the ferry and in wind that made it hard to stand upright travelled up the coast about 20 km where we stopped for the night.

Tofino, Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim Park.....April 12 - 15

We explored Ucluelet and the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse where we found the entrance to the Wild Pacific Trail which we decided was too advanced for us.

We visited the rainforest trail in the Pacific Rim Park as well as the beautiful Long Beach. While at Long Beach we were lucky enough to be able to watch the surfers ride the waves.

While in Tofino, BC we stayed at the Bella Pacifica RV resort and it was truly beautiful. This is the view we had from our campsite and it was a short walk to the beach which as you can see was expansive.

We were lucky enough to have three sunny warm days in which we explored Tofino.

Tofino, Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim Park.....April 12 - 15

Campbell River Wind Day

We are lucky enough to be camped at Driftwood by the Sea RV Park that looks out over Discovery Passage (the stretch of water between Campbell River and Quadra Island) The water is usually calm as you can see in the first two pictures. We are having high winds last night and today so David, Molly and I went to take some pictures of what the passage looks like today. I'm afraid the pictures don't do it justice though it is really a sight. We have both always loved the wild sea and today we are enjoying it.