Thursday/Friday September 8 & 9 – Iceberg and Caribou!

"No drone Zone" waiting area

Today was a travel day on the Viking Trail as we headed south, expecting to see some nice coastal villages again and hopefully Labrador.  Though it was overcast and chilly, some pleasant surprises were in store for us!  A brief stop was made at the St. Anthony Airport, which is 25km from the city with virtually nothing in between.  They have two scheduled flights daily, routed St. John, St. Anthony, on to Goose Bay Labrador then return.  No aircraft at the airport, but they had a cute waiting area for buses and a sign marking it as a “no drone zone!”

Becky's Iceberg with Labrador in the distance

 Along the coast, Becky spotted an Iceberg in the far distance coming down the strait!  Took quite a few photos, but distance was just too far to get a clear shot.  Exciting for us, though, as we had been told the season was over!  The fog and haze in the distance also lifted for a period of time, and it was great to see Labrador in the distance some 30 miles away.  It was fun picking out landmarks and finding them on the map.

Log piles at Sandy's Cove

 These “photo op” interludes also gave us the opportunity to drive through (on rough roads of course!) little coastal towns like Sandy Cove, Flower’s Cove, and Shoal Cove.  The Flower’s Cove stop was particularly interesting, as they had a deserted lighthouse and a nearby large deserted home. In the background one could clearly see a lighthouse on the Labrador Coast.  A gourmet lunch was enjoyed looking at that view from the RV!

Flower's Cove deserted lighthouse and house

Lighthouse closeup-note Labrador lighthouse in background!

A Palaeoeskimo living quarters

 After checking in at Port au Choix RV Park, on a gravel beach overlooking Ingomachoix Bay, the manager suggested we go to the Port au Choix National Historic Site, which closes for the season tomorrow.  Like most of the Park system offices, the Rangers are friendly, personable and very helpful.  There was a 12-minute introductory film, and we were astounded to It learn that Beochuk’s were not the first indigenous people on Newfoundland.  The Maritime Archaic Indians from the artic had been there 3000 years ago, and a fantastic burial site with over 112 skeletons had been excavated with elaborate collections of “stuff” with the different bodies. Then 2000 years ago, the Palaeoeskimos who also came from the arctic had occupied the island for several hundred years.  Most of the info was contained on charts, photos and trinket cases, but the main attraction was a recreation of an actual dwelling of the latter group.

Port Riche Lighthouse

                                                Additionally, our campground manager had suggested we drive there because of the scenic Point Riche lighthouse, along with a herd of Caribou and several bull moose living there.  Saw one moose from a distance, but to see the Caribou we had to drive to another location and hike a mile into the park.  We did, and they were there-beautiful creatures!

The Caribou herd at Point Riche

The French Oven

                                                                                                                                                                              Final stop was on another cove, where French bread ovens had been sent to feed the French fishermen in the 18^th century.  Fresh bread is made daily for tourists, but  we were too late!  

Another roadside phenomenon all over the island are the gardens of root vegetables that people have planted.  Like the woodpiles discussed earlier, nobody except the owners ever messes with these privately owned and cared for gardens.

 Friday was a travel & catch up day; we drove almost point to point back to Gros Morne, but this time stayed at the KOA there-much nicer than last week’s stay in Rocky Harbor..  Did some shopping on the way,  in our site by 1pm, spent the rest of the day (raining pretty hard) reading, doing internet, weekly wash, etc.  Down days are good!