Laurie Snider
Notes from the Nest
It was about 12:30 p.m, one late May day, when the little silver dart we were flying in started its decent through the heavy, cloud cover and gently rolled down the runway at the Deer Lake Regional Airport. This marked the beginning, of what was to be a grand adventure for Randy and I on the Rock. Our planned itinerary would have us traversing the western aspect of the island of Newfoundland and up into the great northern peninsula.
The trip was planned to mark our recent milestone anniversary of 30 years of marriage. For a few weeks prior to leaving the trip was in doubt, as I struggled to control pain and mobility issues from an auto-immune disease which sometimes limits my possibilities. Thanks to the wonder drug Prednisone, I was able to set things onto a better course again and off we set, ready to explore a part of our country entirely new to both of us. We both heaved as sigh of relief as the plane touched down.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the eastern side, the Avalon Peninsula, on two previous occasions which I found extremely delightful. Randy had spent an hour once on a lay-over in the airport in St. John’s, a pretty short visit, so our travels this time would be fresh, new and exciting and an intriguing opportunity to scout them out together.
We stationed ourselves at a charming little bed and breakfast called The Country Wildflower Inn, in Rocky Harbour, so we would be central to many locations we hoped to visit. Our hosts Rob and Lisa couldn’t have been sweeter and more accommodating, even staying up late one night worrying about us on the roads when we rolled in close to midnight.
What fun we had exploring the area. If you enjoy mountains with their majestic, magnificent, sometimes mind-blowing views, then Gros Morne National Park is the place for you. Up and down we went, rounding curves, driving roads that wound along the base then rose steeply, offering panoramic views of shrubs and trees and mountain tops still sporting a healthy coating of snow. Below the winding waters of Bonne Bay snaked along the valley, dotted in the distance with the picturesque towns of Norris Point and Woody Point, both places that were well worth visiting.
No wonder Gros Morne has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. With its unique geographical features and beyond breathtaking scenery, it truly must be seen to be appreciated for all the wonder that it is. Between the beguiling little towns of Woody Point and Trout River, lay the Tablelands. This is an incredibly interesting and impressive landscape which looks similar to a barren desert, where rock from the earth’s mantle was forced up to the surface several hundred million years ago.
A trip to Gros Morne wouldn’t be complete without a boat-trip to Western Brook Pond. This is the place where those out of this world iconic shots were taken that make you want to visit Newfoundland. It features the fresh-water inland fjord, which was carved by glaciers during the last ice-age. It was a 45-minute walk in, then back out, which left me with a feeling of accomplishment.
We spent the second half of our tour traveling to the tip of the Northern Peninsula, where we stayed at The Crow’s Nest Inn, in St. Anthony’s. Lott and Christina were every bit as hospitable as our first hosts. Everything you’ve ever heard about the friendliness, warmth and affability of the people of Newfoundland is true. It was heartwarming when Randy and I would frequently be addressed, “What can I get for you my love?”
We lightened our hearts and filled our cups, drinking in one striking seascape after another. Many an afternoon found us beach combing for heart-shaped rocks for my collection or beach glass, on the rocky shores of Raleigh, Ship, Onion or Cooke’s coves. Patrolling the Viking Settlement, at L’Anse aux Meadows was another must-do.
In addition to captivating scenery and the most affable, welcoming people on earth, Newfoundland has an abundance of wildlife. If we weren’t already in-love with the province, then this really sealed the deal.