September 4 to 6, 2012; St-John's NFLD

SEPT  4, Tuesday, St-John’s, Capital of NFLD

We left under sunny sky after dumping our tanks.  We headed for St-John’s on 230 and 230A which was very rough.  We stopped in Clarenville for fuel @ $1.35 (the cheapest so far) and then got on TCH 1 for St-John’s.  One of the things about NFLD is that one is crossing mountains range after mountains ranges hence you always go up and down.  As we neared St-John’s, the landscape changed quite drastically in that it became more a landscape of rocks, low brushes and grasses.  We also FINALLY SAW OUR FIRST MOOSE CROSSING THE HIGHWAY!!!  Unfortunately, our pictures didn’t turn out too good but we at least saw ONE!  As we neared the city, the sky became cloudier and the temperature cooler.  We got off exit 46 and arrived at PIPPY RV PARK around noon.  We paid $41.80/night, tax included, and set up in Lot # 3.  We are here for 4 nights, maybe 5! 
We went into town and drove to the end of TCH 1 so now I can officially claim having driven from one end of this country to the other!  We went into city centre and found the Info Centre and got some directions on places we want to see.  We walked onto George Street where all the pubs and clubs are situated.   We first stopped at an Irish Pub, “O’Reilly”, and discussed their schedule for “Screeching” and they didn’t have any so we went to: “TRAPPER JOHN” where we finally got “SCREECHED” and became “HONORARY NFLD’ers!  Finally, that’s over!  Instead of kissing the lips of a cod though, we got to kiss the rear end of a Puffin.  There were 7 people being “screeched in”.  It was time to go home and wouldn’t you know it, we got right into the centre of ‘RUSH HOUR”.  The streets in St-John’s are definitely not in any order nor straight.  We finally made it back to our Park and had HH.  Our spot is very nice and under trees; actually we are surrounded by trees, a forest within a city!  St-John’s is the Capital of NFLD and also the biggest city holding over 125 thousand citizens.  This also becomes the end of our trip in Newfoundland.  We will explore the area and peninsula but this is the end!

We drove 144 miles (234 Km) in 3 hours at an average 47 MPH.

N  47* 34.898
W 052* 44.002
Alt: 258 ft

 

SEPT  5, Wednesday, ST-John’s, NFLD
The day began cloudy and rainy but soon cleared and then we had a beautiful sunny day!  We took a drive to Signal Hill National Park.  What a site and what a VIEW!  WOW!  We first took a tour of the reception building, watched a short film on the history of St-John’s and its battles between French and English for control of the fishing off shore.  It is also the location of Cabot Tower commemorating 400 years since John Cabot landed in Newfoundland.  Signal Hill is most famous for its first Trans-Atlantic communication  We went inside and up the Cabot Tower and looked over the Atlantic Ocean, the entrance to the Harbour (looked very narrow from here) , the Harbour itself with all the fishing boats, Coast Guard Vessels and a huge Cruise Ship (the longest one ever to enter the Harbour).  We had a great view of the city and its surrounding; one can see for miles all around.  From here, we went to Quidi Vidi which is a small village and home to the famous Quidi Vidi beer factory.  There are numerous tours given  throughout the day but today and tomorrow, it is book solid because of the Cruise Ship, so we couldn’t have a tour.  We stopped for lunch at this funky Pub in the village.  It is hard to describe but it was full of all kinds of trinkets and junk and the menu consisted of chili, fish soup, chicken soup or/and chicken sandwiches.  We had the chili and a couple beers.  While there, they held a “Screeching Ceremony” and instead of kissing a cod, people had to kiss a crow!  COOL!!!  They have been in business for over 20 years and her husband died of cancer.  The owner was very friendly and fun to talk to.  Everyone was called “Love”; neat!  I just LOVE Newfoundland!
We ended our day by going groceries shopping then came home and put everything away.  I have to say here that St-John’s is a nightmare to drive around; for starter, there is NO road in a straight line for any distance or grid line.  They all criss-cross and as an example, to go from our place to Downtown, we have to drive over and around 4 different streets in a very short distance so it really becomes confusing!  Rush hour is a nightmare and just about every street is busy.  Not complaining, just giving you an idea of what it is like.  It may also have to do with the fact that I am tiring of all this driving and sightseeing!?  I am looking forward to being back on the Mainland and seeing Tucker...I miss him!
I have uploaded new pictures in Folder #92, Bonavista Peninsula!

 

SEPT  6, Thursday, Cape Spear, cloudy day!
We had a late start but eventually made our way to Cape Spear.  I entered the address on Miss Daisy and she took us there through town.  Sure glad too as we must have made a half dozen turns before finally arriving on “Cape Spear Drive”.  It was a very nice drive to the Cape and a wonderful walk around the area.  We first walked up to the souvenir building and ended up buying 2 jackets for ourselves.  We then went across the way where there were over a dozen paintings of ALL the Light House around Newfoundland.  A Coast Guard officer was there and  gave us a verbal tour of all the painting; he was full of stories and facts.  As a matter of fact, we spent over a half hour in there with him.  I should mention that to get here, we had to climb stairs to seem to never end!  After the paintings, we went to the OLD Light House but unfortunately, it was all closed up.  There is a NEW LIGHT further down but it is automated.  We then walked down to the most Eastern Point in Canada AND North America ( W 52* 37’ 14”); took lots of pictures, of course!  During the Second World War, Batteries of huge guns were installed here and bunkers which are still here, again, check out the pictures (to be posted soon).
We walked back to the truck and that’s when I remembered about the Geo-Caches I had to find here.  Four to be exact, so back up to the light, over the cliff and along the rock face for our first one where I left a TB and took a TB (Travel Bug for those who don’t know) then down to the second one at the Most Eastern Point; so now I know this place VERY well!  We drove just down the road for the next two.  WOW, geo-caching in Newfoundland!  We drove back to St-John’s and stopped at the Railway museum.  It was very informative and well lay out with lots of history of St-John’s and the Province.  We walked the streets of downtown for a while and had a late, or should I said very late, lunch at “Bridey o’ Molly’s Pub” where I tried Jig beef dinner.  It was very good but salty!  Then we went to the “Terry Fox Monument” where it all started.  We took a few minutes to reminisce then it was on to Walmart for some serious shopping then home.

Well...This is it!  We’ve decided to leave tomorrow for the West Coast and get ready to cross back to the Mainland.  We have enjoyed ourselves and have loved every moment here and throughout the Province.  There is still much to be seen but I think it will have to wait for our next trip here, if ever!