Journey To The Ferry

Leaving Bonavista we made three short stops before reaching the ferry to head home. The first was the town of Grand Falls-Windsor where we decided to use the next 3 days to get caught up on housekeeping, shopping, and maybe a little sightseeing. Grand Falls-Windsor (GFW) was incorporated in 1991 when the two former towns amalgamated. GFW is located on the TransCanada Highway in the middle of Newfoundland. Therefore from here you can virtually go any direction. After being here a couple of days the housekeeping is done, shopping is all looked after so that leaves sightseeing. Well there’s not a lot of sightseeing opportunities here. GFW has a salmon interpretation center which is much like the one in Torrent River. The Exploits River is the largest river in Newfoundland. Again fly fishing is the only type of fishing allowed. Atlantic salmon is now in season but on the Exploits you are only allowed to keep 5 for the whole season.

The Exploits River

Grand Falls

Note the sign...its 25-30 feet above the river right now

Atlantic salmon are attracted to the fishway because of the
churning water supplied by underground piping

We left Grand Falls-Windsor and drove to Deer Lake where we stayed for 2 nights. We were unsure as to what to do since all the housekeeping has been done…for now. Quickly realizing that Gros Morne National Park was just up the road and so is our favorite seafood market, away we go. This time we took the cooler for the lobster and cod. They might have some they might not I never know what is in season. 

This time we chose The Tablelands 4 km trail to hike. The Tablelands mountain range was formed when two continents (Africa & North America) collided 500 million years ago. The mantle which usually lies below the ocean was thrust upward to the earths surface. Peridotite rock that usually lies 12 km underground is present everywhere here. During the last ice age, glaciers carved the shape of the mountains and many of the canyons along the trail.

The Tablelands Mountain Range

Which way home?

That water was cold

  

Winterhouse Brook Canyon...its the end of July and yes that is 
snow in them there hills

Yellowish coloured rock is Peridotite

Gros Morne Mountain
in the background

Taking in the sunshine
and view

Our final stop on the island was in the town of Doyles at the Grand Codroy Campground. The campground history is much like the rest of Newfoundland unique. In 1966 10 acres of land was donated by the Downey family to the province for the development of a provincial park. Cost $1.00. However, in 1997 the Newfoundland government downsized their parks system so the family was able to purchase the land back. Today the park has been upgraded to include all amenities. Since it is not far from the ferry they tend to cater to those coming and going from Newfoundland. 

Our site...lots of space

We decided to do a little sightseeing but shortly after we left the campsite the weather deteriorated very fast.

Cape Anguille Lighthouse

Cape Anguille Inn

On the way back we found the Codroy Fish Plant and wondered if they sold fresh fish to the public. I know we just bought some but I figured that you can't have toooooo much fresh fish. So we stopped and got more lobster and cod. The prices were amazing. This time we forgot the cooler but its just a short drive back to the rig. 

After we dropped the lobster and cod off I was getting real hungry. A small place just down the road was recommended Hynes Chicken Villa so away we go. Susan asked what I was having and I though it was pretty much a no brainer. If I have to leave this island I want my last meal here to be cod of course so we both ordered pan-fried cod. It was the best cod we had on the island. With our bellies full and know where to be we head back to the rig for an afternoon beverage.

Enjoying the afternoon with a beverage

It just happens that a caravan of 27 rigs was pulling into the campground as we were enjoying our beverage. That proved to be our entertainment for the day. Later we found out they are on the island for 8 days. What can you see in 8 days? We just spent 5 weeks here and didn't see half of the island. People just don't realize how big this place really is.