The days take care of themselves.  

We do not have to do much planning to find excitement.

My new friend and lobster trap grifter.

June 5 - Port Au Choix

When Karen and I first decided to go to Port Au Choix, it was on the recommendation of John and Gerry.  Little did we know that it would be such a gem of a place.  There is a lighthouse, there is history of the Palaeo-Eskimos, there are marinas, harbours, and wild life.  We were so taken with this little place we decided to spend two nights rather than just one.

I started my morning by walking Morgan, having a latte, and then updating my blog.  We then grabbed our camera gear and decided that we would start at one end and work our way to the the other.  The other was another little place called Port Saunders where we heard there was a great fish and chip truck.  

Our first stop was Phillip’s Garden Trail.  We pulled into the parking lot and I 

Phillip’s Garden, Port Au Choix

am not sure how it happened but I found myself talking to a local fella that looked 8’ tall.  I asked him about the garbage bins at the end of the driveways.  They are mostly the same shape.  He said that someone must have built one and now every one is doing it.  I laughed because I felt there had to be a more exciting story to the trash bins.  Then I had asked him about the lobster traps stored on vacant pieces of property along the highway.  He said it was probably just extra traps being stored there.  Seemed weird to me and Karen to have traps so far from the ocean but hey…. Then we got talking about the wooden lobster traps.  They are not used anymore because they have gone to wire and net.  So I asked, “What are they doing with the old wooden traps?”

Port Au Choix ocean campground.

He said they were going to burn them in August for the coming home week. Burn them???!!!  I asked if I could buy one.  He said I could take one.  I asked if the ones across the street were his and he said no but he knew the guy who owned them and he gave me permission to take one.  I did.  It’s stuffed into the back of my truck and I will bring it home to Comox.  

We walked Phillip’s Garden Trail and saw incredible terrain, the tiniest flowers wanting to bloom, a fox, and some wire sculptures.  Being by the ocean was wonderful.  Even Morgan loved her time there.  We were there for three hours between walking and stuffing a lobster trap into the back of my 

It’s amazing what you can find in stores in NL.

truck.

Back at the parking lot we decided to walk down the road to find the painted rocks, and the live aquarium.  Naturally we got chatting to a fella who told us he use to fish out of Port Hardy. 

Oh, and remember I mentioned the kind fisherman who gave us lobster and he thought that on Sunday he would be hungover.  We came across him taking his trash to the end of his driveway.  We thanked him again for the lobster and asked how he was feeling.  He was not doing so good.  Hahahaha

Notice the Newfoundlander dog?

I mentioned I was hungry so we decided that we would head to Port Saunders to the food truck for fish and chips.  We took the road closest to the water and oh my goodness did we see some gems of old building and docks.  Of course we stopped to take pictures.  Sadly, the food truck was closed on Sunday but what we saw next had us both in awe.  

In the local boat yard I noticed a number of boats on the hard.  A fella was leaving the yard in his truck so I flagged him down to ask why so many boats out of the water.  We were told that they are shrimp boats and will be 

Port Au Choix lighthouse.

in the water in about a week.  Some were also getting the bottoms taken care of.  

I love boat yards and I was so impressed with the size of these boats.  They were magnificent, in my view.  

We had two things to fit into our evening.  The sunset and the live music at the lounge.  We needed to put some thought into accomplishing the two.  

First we went back to the trailer to eat because the food truck was closed.  Then we checked to see how late the music was playing, next we headed to the lighthouse to 

Lone photographer waiting for the whales.

check out what was there.  Next we took Morgan home.  Next we went for a beer and listened to the local live performers (a band with no name hahahaha), and next we headed back to the lighthouse to catch the sunset.  

While walking the beach, at the lighthouse with Morgan, we spied minke whales feeding just off shore.  A couple times one came up mouth first as if feeding.  Mostly we  watched them surface over and over as they swam past us.  

The sunset was fabulous.  No words needed.  The picture says it all.  While 

Just add beverages and wait for the sun to set.

heading out of the parking lot I suggested we keep an eye out for moose because it was dusk.  No sooner had I said that and we spied three caribou grazing on the lighthouse grass.  Could the day get any better.  I think not.  

June 6 - Port Au Choix to Rocky Harbour. 

Before heading out this morning we went shopping at Foodland, topped up the fuel, and looked for postcards.  I struck out on the postcard hunt.  

Best sunset yet!

Today was going to be a short drive, only 190 kms or so.  Did you remember a while back when I said that just because a road is paved doesn’t mean it is smooth.  Well, let me tell you how lumpy and bumpy this road was.  The speed limit was 90 and I barely did 70.  Thank goodness there is very little traffic.

We stopped at Arches Provincial Park.  It was much more captivating than we imagined.  Perhaps it was also because we had some blue sky and sunshine.  I could have stayed there all 

Snail fossils at Port Au Choix.

afternoon in the sun and watching Morgan play.  It was also a fun place to take pictures.  

Driving to Rocky Harbour we had to go through Gros Morne (Big Hill) National Park and we drove along the coast.  The word beautiful does not do the scenery justice. 

We checked into Gros Morne RV park and loved the spot so decided to stay three nights.  It also helps that we will have nice weather for doing some hiking.  

Arches Provincial Park.

I also found a repair shop that can retorque my truck tires and check my trailer tires.  Repair facilities of any sort are rare.  Also to get a propane tank filled I have to drop it of at 16:00 when the propane filler guy is working.  Not 15:00, not 17:00 but 16:00.  

The other beautiful think about this campground is that the laundry is near.  We got all our laundry rounded up and got it done very quickly.  The 

Inseparable

shower was also great.  Showers in Newfoundland, so far, are free.  I had a long hot shower.  

Karen was in touch with Chris and Kelly.  We made arrangements to meet them for coffee tomorrow.  They are heading south and we likely will not see them again.  

I was pooped, Karen was pooped.  We turned in very much looking forward to bed.  

June 7 - Rocky Harbour and Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne Park

Walking to Gros Morne tour dock.

A few days ago, because we knew we were coming here, Karen booked us on the fjord tour boat at Western Brook Pond.  Today is the day!!

First we had coffee with Chris and Kelly.  Then we looked for a spot to give Morgan a good run because she would have a few hours on her own this afternoon.  Karen pointed out the route to a walk on a hilltop.  It was beautiful and great for Morgan to play fetch and be free.  We pooped her out in no time.  Fetch is a great game for her.  I just wish she would learn to 

The fjord at Western Brook Pond

fetch.  I have tried and tried and tried.  Hahahaha

From the parking lot, we had a 3 km walk to the boat dock.  I will be honest here.  I could not believe how many people they put on the boat.  We were assured that the life boat would hold all of us should anything happen.  

Guess who is dressed for a cold boat tour.

We chose a sunny and and thankfully the sun did shine because the wind was chilly.  Karen and I were pretty much the last two to board the boat and we took standing room at the stern of the upper deck.  We were happy.  Us shorties could see quite fine.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.  It was like stepping into Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs.  It was like driving through the Rockies.  The lake is about 550 ft deep and tallest mountain is over 2,330 ft.  It is a fascinating lake and worth googling if you are interested.  

Morgan was happy to see us.  We played before dinner and she, Karen and I are ready for bed.  

Wishing you all sunshine to warm and soothe your soul. Wishing you blue 

Sunny but cold at Western Brook Pond.

skies to lift your spirits. And, wishing you laughter to add more wrinkles to your face.  

Some of the photos are courtesy of Karen Glen.