NL Caravan 2016

[MyronL]

It was 1974. We debarked at Port aux Basques and took Canadian #1 north to Deer Lake where we must have turned onto route 430 going up the coast to probably Rocky Harbor where I think these pictures were taken.

Oh, you Kodachrome, you king of the maritimes, you coastal prince of the Canadian outer banks, still fresh and bright after all these years...

[starbrightsteve]

Ah, Rocky Harbour! Get fish and lobster and head north to camp at Green Point and cook your dinner on a fire overlooking the ocean. Campgrounds almost empty but you may need to shovel snow depending on your choice of campsites.

[honda03842]

Myron,
We go to the same place for Lobster Rocky Harbour.
.

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[Mitzi Agnew-Giles]

Didn't have time or a camper for 2016's trip but I am definitely interested in 2017! Looking at a September pickup date for my Lilsnoozy!
Just have to make sure my tug is in good enough shape for a 2 month trip! (And that the 3 yard kitties know how to use a litter box snd won't fuss at my House kitties )

[honda03842]

Verizon phone service. Every year we get a rider for our phone service in Canada and we did this year. The rider worked in NB but does not work in NL. I called verizon global support and they said they provide no coverage in NL except for St. John's. I dropped the coverage. My T-Mobile works fine.

[honda03842]

First Campground Grand Codroy

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[honda03842]

Hiking Codroy Valley Provincial

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[honda03842]

The headland in the first picture is near the new Viking dig.

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[honda03842]

A marvelous hiking day with most of the Caravan members today. Our first hike was historical and the longest along the Harvey Trail. A family that rescued almost 200 people from sinking ships on the south coast.

Our second was out to the Rose Blanche lighthouse, the only granite lighthouse on the east coast. Amazingly local residents learned Stone cutting, cut the stones and rebuilt the lighthouse. Though not open this month they kindly let us in the lighthouse and opened the museum for us... Newfoudland sweet.

We than proceeded hiked out Brachois Falls. This waterfall comes down from the table land mountains to feed a small Lake.

First picture the group on the Harvey Trail, second Ginny and Norm, third the lighthouse and fourth the falls.

All the newcomers are amazed by the beauty of Newfoundland.

We also stopped for lunch where we had Moose soup, pea and dumpling soup, fish cakes and pork buns and of course fries with Gravy and hamburger... Newbies all.


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[honda03842]

One of our caravan members forgot his 6 inch level. Today while at E.C. Gale, a wonderful country store, he asked the owner if he had any six inch levels. The owner said I have one in my tool box and gave it to Bill, saying I never use it. Bill was willing to pay but the owner would not have any of it. Newfie Magic.

(If you're in NL you have to go to Gale's store.)

We went out to lunch today after a tour around. An older man said to me would you like to hear some great music and invited us 20 miles up the road to a music Jam from 3-7 on Sunday...bring your dancing shoes was the invitation...just out of the blue.

Lastly I write a little newsletter of our travels. Some of you have asked me to email a copy. If you have not received it drop me a line with your personal email address via PM.

8182

[theresa p]

We are so happy to hear that your group is enjoying themselves! Both you and Ginny have so much knowledge of "all things Newf", plus such a genuine love for the Rock.

Are you going to get the gang to kiss the cod????

Keep the updates coming.
Theresa and Dennis

[honda03842]

Here's another example of NL kindness. The Campground provides free firewood. One of the group members decided to have a campfire with little success. I could see our next site neighbors had a roaring fire. I jokingly went next door to join them.

They explained that the Campground wood needed seasoning and they went to their mother's house for wood. They gave me a few logs to take back to our site where we got the fire going.

I saw the neighbors pickup truck leave, it returned about 15 minutes later. They had gone to their mother's house to get more wood for us. They spent a 1/2 hour chatting with us.

By the way the mother had 7 cords in her cellar and 7 more outside.

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[honda03842]

For those considering replicating a Caravan...

We started our with 23 rigs and we're now at 5 rigs, picking up another tomorrow. There are definitely benefits to a smaller group, maybe uniquely in NL due to campground size.

The importance of coming with good tires made it self felt. One member is having tire trouble on the rear axle, just eating the tires. He needs a new set and Canadian tire told him 10-13 days to get what he needs. He may have to limp along for a few days.

Another problem yesterday, a leaking brake line. Unfortunately it's a three day weekend here, Victoria Day, and really no where to get a repair until Tuesday.

Ginny's comments are: RVers are very nice people, it's important to be conscious of every person and engaging to all, though we're showing them NL, we learn a lot from their experiences.

Campground thoughts. We choose Grand Codroy RV Park as our first stop because it's a beautiful park on a river near the ocean. It has wifi and heated bathrooms. A good starting point. The other local park is Cheeseman Provincial Park, also near the ocean. It's nice and has a better price. It's nearer the ferry and if you go there meet Alferd, a great park ranger.

Most of the members, when taking pictures and hiking about bemoan the fact that no picture does justice to NL. Standing at the water fall Connie said, the falls are beautiful but so is every direction I look.

In your life you must come to NL and spend a couple of months. One of the caravan couples came for a month but are now staying two.

[kapat]

My wife and I are part of the NL caravan lead by Norm and Ginny. First, Norm and Ginny are great caravan leaders....friendly, knowledgeable, and easy-going. The other caravan members are just as fun and friendly as well.

Yesterday we hiked to the newly discovered viking site. It was a great hike....beautiful views of cliffs and the ocean...warm sun...cool breezes....and our German Shepherd loved playing in the mud puddles.

When we got back to our car, a lady invited us into her home for a cup of tea. We spent almost 2 hours just chatting and getting to know her and her husband. She provided a plate of raisin biscuits, homemade strawberry jam, and a bowl of watermelon slices. When they found out we had never had moose steak, she pulled a steak from her freezer and insisted we take it home with us. She then brought out a jar of canned moose and a jar of bread and butter pickles for us to have. We asked about Newfoundland music and she gave us 6 CDs with the music we asked about and insisted we take them for our drive through the province. They invited us to stop by and visit again on our way back.

Just another example of "Newfie Magic" as Norm talks about.

[cpaharley2008]

Is Scouter Dave traveling with you guys, he is a charming character.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Is Scouter Dave traveling with you guys, he is a charming character.

Jim,

Scouter Dave is not traveling with us and may not be able to travel with us. He's just not well right now. Though I'm sure he'd like to make it to the music festival.

We certainly hope he's feeling better soon. After the Caravan's over we plan to track him down and give his a few hugs.

[honda03842]

We've left Codroy and are stopped for a couple of days at Gateway to the North. Our final do at Codroy we all went up the road 20km to South Branch to the Community Center for 3 hours of dancing and music, everything from Jiggs to Rock including Elvis and Rock. If you go to these events try not to sit with your friends. The people are innately friendly. One of our Connie's was asked to dance by a 9t5 year old man. Really it was an older crowd but they all danced. A real community center open for music and dancing every Sunday at 3 in the Summer.

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[honda03842]

If you come to Gateway to the North speak with the owner, an extremely interesting person.

As well about 20 minutes south of Gateway is Myers Minerals, we'll worth a stop. They sell and process stones, a very enlightening place. Take their tour.

I started the morning picking fiddle heads. I cooked a few and had a tasting then we all went out and picked.

Always something new.

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[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Jim,

Scouter Dave is not traveling with us and may not be able to travel with us. He's just not well right now. Though I'm sure he'd like to make it to the music festival.

We certainly hope he's feeling better soon. After the Caravan's over we plan to track him down and give his a few hugs.

Hi: honda03842... Give him one for us too!!! We're still watching the "Newfie weather rock" he gave us.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: honda03842... Give him one for us too!!! We're still watching the "Newfie weather rock" he gave us.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Alf,

We move on to Gros Morne in the morning. If we're lucky enough and Dave's well enough we'll see him there.

Today we visited one of Dave's suggested stops, Myers Minerals in Pasadena, NL.

Really an interesting place in an industrial park. A tour of the factory wsa very informative, not to mention the beautiful stones.

Norm