BANG Explores Newfoundland - Day 2

Well we all had a decent amount of sleep last night.  We had a nice breakfast at the hotel before we started our trek towards Rocky Harbour.  Once Lola was awake, we had to search the hotel for B and N who were enjoying their coffee in the lobby.

The view from breakfast

After breakfast, we packed our bags and loaded up the Equinox - B was pretty excited to drive and give AA the "day off" (which was appreciated).  The drive from Corner Brook to our first stop (Bonne Bay) was a quick 1 hr 30 mins drive, starting with some rain then overcast skies before getting to the Discovery Centre with some partly cloudy skies.

Ready for our hike

A quick pit stop in the Centre and the crew was ready to go on the 5 kms round trip hike along the Lookout Hike.  The weather was perfect - 18 deg C to start with some cloudy patches; all that was missing was a breeze.  AA and B were definitely in need of some air movement to help with their sweatiness.

The trail wasn't too busy.  The BANG crew passed a group of three shortly into the ascent and then passed 5 or 6 groups who were making their descent.  There was one group of two (local) ladies who passed them shortly before the peak.

The views going up were pretty good but at the peak it was spectacular.

"That is where we are going"

At the top

Someone needed to dry their shirt

Lola's Lunch

At the top, a small picnic lunch of pepperoni, crackers, cheese (for those who could eat it), bananas (for those who would eat it) and water was had.  And a good thing too because the walk down, although only 40 mins as opposed to the 75 mins up, was long enough to give some hikers shaky legs due to working muscles that aren't normally worked.

Back at the Discovery Centre, a couple of patches and post cards were purchased before loading into the Equinox for a 1 hr drive to Rocky Harbour and the cabin.

The drive was routine - Lola telling B to be patient when the Equinox in front of us neglected to pass the bicyclists who were biking in front of us; N catching a few zzz's on the drive and AA tacking in the scenery.

Upon arrival at Rocky Harbour, the group tried to find the cabin, driving up Main St N before realizing that they were supposed to be on Main St S - no fault of the Navigator, Lola, as the GPS did not give an option of N or S for Main Street... at least that is what she is saying.

The cabin was eventually found and AA checked them in.  While walking out of the convenience store/office, he quickly cited a purchase that seems fairly justified - a Christmas tree ornament with a puffin paddling a kayak with Christmas presents on it.

Once the car was unloaded, AA, Lola, B and N went for a short walk near the cabin which is water front.  They saw some rocks, water, a family who used to live in Thompson and where Jets fans, some seashells, a man with his pet dog (Chihuahua), some lobster claws, some fish skeletons, some small fish and one jelly fish.

B taking in the sights from our cabin

After the short walk, it was unanimously decided that everyone's feet needed a rest.  And some drinks were needed before supper at Fishermans Landing - a 2 mins drive.  After everyone finished their drinks (AA being the last), they piled into the SUV and made the short trek to the restaurant, only to get behind a party of 9 looking to eat.  Luckily, the party decided that they wanted to try and go elsewhere so BANG was able to get a seat right away.

Dinner was delicious.  Lola had her first lobster.  AA and N both had Cod and B had salmon. 

During the time from when they arrived to when they left, the weather had turned - at the end the fog started to roll in and the temperature dropped about 5 deg C.

After supper, the search was on for some breakfast food for the next day.  And coffee - BAN all need their morning coffee to become sociable (well at least AA and N do).  The search was not very successful, coffee was found but not food.  So, it was off to two more stores before some breakfast could be sourced before going to the Kitchen Party.

The Party was good - a local artist singing and playing some songs and telling some stories and jokes at the Anchor Pub.  He eventually got everyone up playing some instruments and dancing to separate songs before BANG decided to call it a night and head back to to the cabin.

Tomorrow we are making our way north towards and then east on the peninsula to Englee to meet up with one of B's friends who is here visiting his parents.  Hopefully the weather is good enough to be able to go for a boat ride before making our way further north towards L'Anse Aux Meadows and our next cabin.

Well, pictures finally finished uploading, time to finish this blog and get some sleep.

AA.

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.