BANG Explore Newfoundland - Day 1

It was sure an early morning (we did this flight not that long ago to go to Toronto with the twinkies and MBMell).  AA was pretty excited when he realized we were on the Mickey Mouse plane!  Too bad it was a little dark to take a good photo of it. The approach into Toronto was a little smoother than the last time, and no one wanted to barf this time.  The flight most of us had a least a cat nap, and Lola finished Cars 3 that she started on her way home from TO last month.

can you see Mickey?

Arriving in TO we had a 40 minutes between flights... just enough time to follow a group of people rushing to the same gate.  It was a decent speed walk from B to C gates.  Little did lola know we were following Aaron Pritchett, and his crew (blair recognized him on the flight from Winnipeg to TO). We sat on the tarmac for a really long time before leaving Toronto, so we didn't really need to rush.  Their was a maintenance issue, resulting in the plane not flying at normal cruising altitude of 35000 ft, we flew at 25,000ft, which resulted in a longer time to get to Deer Lake, and a little more turbulence.

The flight was a little rocky in the landing, but we all survived.  Walking off the plane, we headed to rent our car and get our luggage.  Blair quickly wanted the red equinox rather than the ford edge, it is a baby version of Nadine's vehicle.

First site of land, the new found type!

snow

looking for wild life as we decent

the beautiful views from the window of the plane

Turning around on the runway to taxi to the Terminal

We have arrived!

We headed to get some food in Deer Lake, as Lola and the rest of the crew were starving.  That is a long time with no meal.  We went to Jungle Jim's, where we all enjoyed our meals.  Nadine had a chicken wrap, blair and AA had breakfast, while Lola had a chicken stir-fry.  Once completed lunch at 3:00 pm local time we headed down the Trans Canada Highway to Corner Brook.  We checked into the hotel, changed our shoes and headed on an adventure.

We first went to Captain James Cook National Historic Site.  Winding up through a residential area, we thought the GPS was taking us for a longer ride than we thought, but turns out it wasn't, it really was in a random location.  Get to the parking lot where there were only 3 spots, 2 were taken, while the other one was handicapped.  As if it only has 3 parking spots... later we noticed there was a larger parking lot as you entered the site (silly us). We did a little hike, read about his amazing surveying skills, and navigated a ship (made of rocks).  The views are pretty impressive.

Lola's favorite photo of the day!

Back in the car, AA took us for a ride along the waters edge.  We enjoyed the chatter about the boats, the lumber at the pulp and paper mill, and many other random things.  We ended at Bartlett's Point Park, where we missed the turn for the parking lot (or so we thought), turning around, and entering into service vehicle only, where we circled the paved pedestrian path, and then exited.  We drove to where the actual parking lot is, down by the Marina.  We walked down to the water, looking at all the different types of rocks and sea glass.  We then headed up the hill to the park that we had driven through with the vehicle, going down a trail to the waters edge again.  It felt good to stretch the legs, after sitting on planes and in the car for so many hours today.

Headed to Sobey's to get some snacks and picnic lunch for tomorrow, then stopped for some beer and Screech at the "Liqour Store", and then headed back to the hotel to get some supper. The Lookout restaurant attached to the hotel, was excellent.  Well mine was good.  I picked the salmon, with baked potato and Carrots, Lola's kind of meal.  Blair had to try the Cod Tongue... he was less impressed.  He said it was like eating rubber bands...  AA had stir-fry following mine at lunch, and Nadine had stuffed chicken breast.  After we headed back to the room for a night cap, and then time for bed.  We were up pretty early.  I don't know how Blair can put his head on the pillow and instantly be snoring.  But he did, I am still typing away, and he is snoring. 

Oh forgot to mention that AA woke up with a nasty head cold on Friday, so he is still suffering through it, but he is a champ!  Lots of nose blowing and cough cough cough, but still enjoying his time.

Time for bed, as we need to rest up for a day of driving, hiking and likely some eating!

Night, Lola.