Category: Canada

Day 27

We arrived in Charlottetown in quite intense rain. Joanna interogated rangers at the Visitor Center and we stopped at Water Prince Corner Shop for early dinner. Great seafood:  island mussles and lobster roll. Rain slowed down enough for a walk around the neighbourhood. We crossed the island to the north side and took a spot at Cavendish campground in PEI National Park: closest to the beach and next to shelter to stay under roof if heavy rain returned. Campground was partially closed with just some campers. The hurricane was still a couple of days away.

Day 28

Weather improved, time to visit all corners of Prince Edward Island National Park: Cavendish Beach, MacNeills Brook Beach, North Rustico Beach, Brackley Beach, Covehead Harbour Lighthouse,  Cavendish Cliffs, back to Cavendish Beach, Dunelands and Oceanview Lookoff. Green Gables Heritage Place was already closed, so we just walked Haunted Woods Trail where we met nobody,  but lonely fox making its rounds.  It walked within a couple of feet without even acknowledging our presence. The hurricane was still 24 hours away, but weather was changing: red evening sky below low dark clouds, wind gusts and rushing waves. We moved to a different camping spot at Cavendish, perhaps 100m further inland, like it would make any difference.

Day 29

Morning visit to Green Gables Heritage Place, Montgomery Park and Cavendish Cemetery (Cavendish is Avonlea in books about Anne). Late lunch at Carr’s Oyster Bar (recommended) in Stanley Bridge. Finally found the right place to try fresh local oysters (Piotr could not refuse tasting two). Followed by baked oysters and steamed clams.

Drove all the way to Thunder Cove Beach only to discover it was closed for visitors, just looked around. Took diferent local roads to go back. Weather was cleary getting more active: wind gusts, fast moving clouds, passing rains. We were looking for a place to overnight and Joanna found Dreamweavers Cottages and Vacation Homes (recommended) in North Rustico. Fully equipped cottage (kitchen, laundry etc) and very nice host. We parked away from trees and listened to wind gusts becoming stronger. Remnants of the hurricane (just wind and rain)  passed over our heads at night.

Day 24

We did sleep quite a bit on ferry, but were not fully rested. The day started with clouds and passing rains as we were driving west and then north toward Cape Breton Highlands National Park. But first, breakfast plus coffee at Chanterelle Inn & Cottages. The weather was not encouraging when we arrived at Ingonish Visitor Centre. Rain was breaking at times allowing for decent walks at Middle Head Trail and Ingonish Beach in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Very good sighting of several pilot whale pods from the tip of the peninsula.

After brief detour to South Harbour, we finished the day in Pleasant Bay. The rain was quite heavy at times, driving was slow and tiring. After extended debate we ended-up in local motel rather than camping at one of the day-time parking lots (a.k.a. National Park campgrounds). We were quite disappointed as we were driving on famous Cabot Trail and weather refused to cooperate all day – this was the  only time it happened during our entire trip.

Day 25

Sunny day with passing clouds. Confirmed at Whale Interpretative Center in Pleasant Bay that what we saw the day before were really pilot whales. Checked-out models of different whales at the beach. We spent the rest of the day on Skyline Trail, Bog Trail and Le Buttereau Trail. Skyline is very popular with many visitors, but offers great vistas, examples of local habitats and moose influence.

Talked with ranger about bog habitat and how plants (e.g. normally larger tamarack) respond to harsh environment, growing smaller and looking (?) half-dead. Hot/cold, windy, wet, acidic bog environment dominated by sphagnum mosses.

Cabot Trail (road) is very scenic winding south-west along Gulf of St Lawrence coast.  At Buttereau we were learning about Acadians and their settlement. Did not meet a black bear seen walking on the trail,  but once we saw tree full of aromatic, ripe apples we knew why it was there. Settled for the night at Cheticamp Campground (sites too close to one another with no trees, Cape Breton campgrounds are not like we are used to in National Parks).

Day 26

We liked morning hike on Salmon (fishing) Pools Road Trail,  10 km (return) along Cheticamp River, just from the end of Cheticamp campground. Few people, very quiet. Probably busy during fishing season. The river is coloured orange/brown by tanins, quite vivid when iluminated by sun and looked at an angle, then black-dark where water is deep (pools). Contrasting with surrounding greenery. Download Piotr’s GPX file

We then stopped for a short walk on Gypsum Mine Trail (near Cheticamp) and quick swim (Joanna) in the pool. Inspected small chips of gypsum minerals (selenite and perhaps alabaster) scattered around. Joanna visited Saint Peter’s Church. We arrived late at Whycocomagh Provincial Park. Acadian meat pie from local bakery for dinner after dark.

Day 27

First half of the day passed uneventfully, just driving and looking around, stopping to see Canso Causeway and Bridge connecting Cape Breton Island to Nova Scotia peninsula. Monotony settled-in after 4 weeks of travel. We were following weather forecasts and path of hurricane Lee as it was moving in the same direction as us: Prince Edward Island. It was expected to loose most of its energy and rain. We decided to ignore anxiety and continue as planned. By midday we were in Caribou boarding ferry to Prince Edward Island.

Day 21.

The day started with great and sunny view from our room, good breakfast and talk with our host about whale watching. And we are on 7 km high cliff (Boutte du Cap) walk with beautiful views. Watching a few diving gannets, but no whales. Download Piotr’s GPX file

We spent all afternoon driving along the north side of Cape St George (Rte 463 then 460 and 490). Stopped for lunch at Tea By The Sea restaurant. Next stop: Long Point. Parked our car in Blue Beach at the end of the World of easily drivable gravel road. Joanna walked all the way to the very tip of narrow rock bar with sea on both sides, and we scrolled back to our car through grassy peninsula coloured with Alpine Asters. We did not see a person on our walk. Picked-up groceries in Stephenville, home to a former US Air Force base and international airport. We filled-up tank in Stephenville Crossing and shortly after crossing Hwy 1 started looking for a side road to camp as we were driving on Rte 480 toward Burgeo. Stopped at small turn-around on gravel forest road away from “main” road, nice.

Day 22.

The day started with surprise visit by local moose hunters at our campsite (first day of season). Continued south on Rte 480. There was a ferry loading cars at the end of the road in Burgeo. We asked if there was space for us and in no time we were seaborne for Ramea, mysterious behind dense fog. Completly unplanned, spontaneus decission. The island is small – we visited all corners in half a day. Walking slowly on Ramea walking trail (boardwalk) in quite dense fog most of the time, magical. No expansive vistas or whales, but quiet and relaxing. Talked to the man on duty at the lighthouse (fog horn instead of light that day) and had lunch at Eastern Outfitters. We took the ferry back and ended the day at Sandbank Provincial Park campground (only a few visitors there). It was one of the most memorable days of our trip.

Day 23.

We spent the first half of the day walking on endless beaches and  wetlands of Sandbank Provincial Park, very peaceful. In the afternoon we were back on Rte 480 and then Hwy 1 to Port aux Basques to catch 7-hour over-night ferry to New Sydney, Nova Scotia. This time we watched time and ticket availability to make sure we do not miss it. We bought reserved, more comfortable seats on the upper deck (9th level) to catch some sleep. Tried to find  a place to eat dinner  driving narrow streats of Port aux Basques all the way to the tip of the peninsula and Channel Head Lighthouse across water. No luck – settled for food at ferry terminal.

Day 16.

Quick action and Joanna secured two tickets (lucky for us last minute cancellation) for boat tour of West Brook Pond as we were driving to Gros Morne National Park.  We arrived just in time for short, lazy walk from parking lot to boat dock (on return we took different trail). Good opportunity to observe boreal ecosystem along the trail. West Brook Pond is ex-fjord, now cut off from the sea due to lower sea level. The boat was packed. Guides were good. It was relaxing and informative experience.

In the afternoon we spent some time at Green Point, wandering on stony beach, investigating rocks, deposits and fossils from 500 MYA Cambrian-Ordovician boundary exposed in cliff and on shore,  somewhere between almost vertical layers. We still had some time left for short walk to Gull Pond near Berry Hill Campground where we settled for two nights.

«« Scroll to view more rocks and fosills »»

☞ Larger-size photos in nature gallery

Day 17.

Plan for the day is clear: summit Gros Morne. 17-km loop (we walked 19 km with extra viewpoints etc.),  750m elevation gain and decent scramble on the way up (The Gully). We knew it was steep but, it execeeded our expectation. We left our car at the trailhead parking lot and started walking on good, well marked trail. Not too many hikers that day. Weather perfect.    Download GPX file

Yes,  we struggled a bit in The Gully, but once on top we did ok and descent was easy. No rush. We were rewarded by great views, especially on the other side of the summit. Distant views were quite hazy. No way we could not remember Ben Nevis hike in Scotland and final scramble on  that famous pile of stones with panoramic 360° view from top. We spent all day on the mountain before retreating, quite tired,  to Berry Hill Campground.

Day 18.

“Rest day” as we were still feeling The Gully in our legs. We are transferring to Trout River (campground) driving with stops on the way at Woody Cove, Woody Point and Discovery Centre. Many good views across water surrounded by green hills.  At the end of the day we walked to Trout River Little Pond (next to campground) and short Estern Point Trail along cliff above Trout River village for sunset. Finished the day with scalops and seafood chowder dinner at Seaside Restaurant.

Day 19.

We started the day by walking to Green Gardens and exploring the shoreline, followed by short walk on Tablelands Trail.  The day was about rocks derived from the Earth upper mantle deep underneath ocean crest, thrown all over the place.  Peridotite: light rusty to dark orange on the surface, dark green inside, and metamorphosed to serpentinite, heavy and rich in iron. And volcanic rocks (basalts) on the coast.  Download Piotr’s GPX file

«« Scroll to view more rocks »»

☞ Larger-size photos in nature gallery

Joanna was a bit disappointed and thought it would be more interesting to spend entire day exploring Tablelands rather than hiking Gros Morne (although it was good hike too and apparenly with best views). Lack of prep work showed this time, we did not know that “no trail” route to the top of Tablelands was well shown on a map and almost a trail. We found some time to investigate small plants growing between rocks. Ended the day at Lomond Campground, Piotr setting up our camper and tending camp fire, Joanna cooking. Another great 19 km walking day.

Day 20.

Joanna decided to walk in the morning to Stanleyville, abandoned logging village, Piotr  packed the camp and we were leaving Gros Morne. We stopped in Deer Lake to pick-up some supplies and talk to rangers at Visitor Center. Grabbed quick lunch from Off The Hook Fish & Chips food truck (fresh and good). With a tip from the rangers we found Gros Morne Coffee Roasters (recommended). Great place to buy good coffee and try some fresh brew, and talk.

It was decission time where to go next. Decided to visit Cape St George and next day continue south-east across the island to Burgeo and Sandbanks Provincial Park. We are leaving eastern part of Newfoundland for a future visit.

The rest of the afternoon was just driving, good part of it on Trans Canada Hwy 1. Rather uneventful. We stopped at The Gravels (Port au Port) and then followed Rte 460 along south coast all the way to the tip of Cape St George. We decided to stay at  Inn at the Cape rather than camp at Boutte du Cap Park. The Inn was the best guesthouse of our entire trip (recommended). Very comfortable, well organized (laundry room, home made breakfast) and great hosts. The campground has great (tempting) location though. We made a run for the Boutte viewpoint to catch sunset. Serious clouds, but big rain never materialized.

Day 13 (afternoon).

The ferry ride from Blanc-Sablon to Saint Barbe was short and quite comfortable. By the time we arrived wind was strong and our boat waited for a while for quieter moment to dock. Despite wind,  rain and cold we walked (in rain pants and ponchos) short Marjorie Bridge & Thrombolites Walking Trail at Flowers Cove, located some 20 km from St Barbe. We then continued in light rain on Rte 430 until sunset. We found a decent spot on little pond (gravel pit) just past Eddies Cove. No weather for cooking dinner, just quick snacks and hope for sunny morning coffee.

That also meant new task: photographing rocks and fossils, starting with thrombolites.

«« Scroll to view more photos »»

☞ Larger-size photos in nature gallery

Day 14.

Sunny weather returns. We are heading east and then north-east to L’Anse aux Meadows to learn what Vikings were doing there. North part of Newfoundland has some of the remoteness we felt in Newfoundland and Labrador. First stop at Dark Tickle shop in St Lunaire. Too early –  no coffee served yet (10:30 am ?). We watched bakeapple (cloudberry) preserves being made “home-style” (we bought a small jar). An hour later we were at the archeological site (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – the only firmly confirmed Norse settlement in North America, also occupied earlier by indigenous people. We joined good guided  tour, visited “Viking Settlement” exhibition and park museum, finished by walking short loop along the coast and through meadows.

In the afternoon we drove back the same way we came and then north-west to Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve near Raleigh to look for rare plants among rock barrens. With substantial lunch on the way at The Daily Catch restaurant (recommended) in St Lunaire-Griquet – probably best seafood of the enitre trip. Simple but great freshness and taste: cod gratin, seafood chowder and black mussles. Good french bread to go. Good location right on the coast (Rte 436).

We arrived at the Reserve not really knowing what to expect – we first parked at the entrance only to learn we can explore it by car so we drove to the end of the gravel road. It is open, barren land on top of high, rocky cliff with waves breaking below. Sun was already low, but gray clouds moving in pushed it even lower and wind was howling. Quite a scenery. We looked around for a while, Joanna investigated interesting pockets of vegetation.

It was already getting dark when we started making our way south. By the time we arrived at Main Brook Park campground the office was already closed, but the owner who lives nearby came to check us in, and was kind to wait while we took quick shower. Great!
End of very long day.

Day 15.

We now continue driving on Rte 432 west across the island and then on Rte 430 south along Gulf of St Lawrence coast line. Just before  Eddies Cove West we turned on local road towards the coast  and parked for a break on gravel lot used to store lobster traps. Piotr had time for driver’s nap, Joanna investigated fossils on the rocky shore. Port au Choix was next, first to get some bread baked in french oven typical for this part of the country (too early for live demonstartion though), followed by visit to Phillip’s garden for a walk and finally Pointe Riche lighthouse. We also stopped at French Rooms Cultural Center. No luck spotting whales, but we watched small (resident) caribou herd grazing near the lighthouse (surprisingly tourists did not approach the animals to take selfies). We managed short dash on Limestone Barrens trail, fried seafood dinner at Point Riche restaurant and quick look at fishing port in Port au Choix. It was time to go. Driving along the coast near water as the sun was setting down was very pleasant, but no time for breaks.

We tried to find camping spot off Rte 430. Two recommendations on iOverlander (one was already packed the other was in small park where local people go for walks with their dogs) and a couple of side-dirt-roads with no luck. At least we saw black bear with two cubs while away from main road. It was already dark, almost 9 pm, when we decided to move on and go to Arches Provincial Park – parking lot there was our fall-back plan. 3 other cars were asleep already when we arrived. We took a spot closest to shore. It was nice place to be as we discovered in the morning. And just 10 miles from Gros Morne National Park.
Another long day.