Crossing the barrens and other moments
Some quick impressions from a long weekend on the Rock:
- There are so many lakes that the toponomists need help. On a short stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, you encounter “Triangular Pond”, “Little Triangle Pond”, “Big Triangle Pond” and “Three Corner Pond”.
- Don’t assume that flirting is a provincial pastime, based on the frequency that people refer to you as “Dear” or “Darling”.
- If it’s foggy here, just drive over there.
- If you need gas, buy it at the first opportunity. Once outside the larger centers, finding a station is hit or miss. We almost missed…
The Avalon Penisula is lobed, like a hand performing a gang sign. Today, our visit involved the area called the “Irish Loop”. A map, for your reference.
The time zone change is still playing tricks with our meal habits, so we ended up negotiating for a wonderful breakfast at lunch time. Thankfully, the staff at the Claddagh Inn were open to non-traditional meal hours. For that alone, they merit their 4 star rating.
The St. Shott’s Barrens are all that, and more. I’ve seen Walmart parking lots with more trees. No, the caribou weren’t in plain sight, but that is the story of my life.
I cannot resist a museum dedicated to marine radio, so Cape Race was worth the long (very long) drive over bad (very bad) road. How long? No wonder radio was invented. Seriously, the museum guide claims that she makes the trip in 30 minutes; not sure I want to ride along.
The chance to visit a puffin colony shouldn’t be missed, but sometimes you won’t see very much at all. The next image shows the yellow stakes marking the pathway out to a sheer cliff. Once there… nothing to see (fog 1, birdwatchers 0). Yes, there was a certain aspect of danger.
In several communities, there are walls to hold back the sea (high winds).
But at the end of the day, you discover (belatedly) places like Ferryland. We hiked up to the lighthouse, took a lot of pictures and then went to the north edge of the village where we sat in a restaurant watching whales breach just below the window.
