Aug 2008

Today was one of the REALLY GOOD days. We started with a bus ride at 9:00am out to a little fishing village. But fishing has become a pleasure thing rather than a business, as they now grow mussels. We toured the harbor on a boat around the mussel farm. Our tour guide for the day was Reg Hemeon. Great knowledge of local history and the mussel farm, Plus a wonderful story teller. After the boat tour, we had lunch (they call it dinner) at Reg's B&B. We had Seafood Chowder & sandwiches. THEN WE HAD THE CEREMONY. WE WERE INDUCTED INTO THE NEWFOUNDLAND SOCIETY. WE ARE UN-OFFICIAL CITIZENS OF NEWFOUNDLAND. Myron had to stand with one foot on a rock and the other in a tub of Sea water. Then we had an intelligence test, after that the ceremonial toast with SKREECH, which is their local Rum.
Bus ride back to town. We then toured the SeaPlane museum which was right where we were parked. At 6:15pm we walked up the street a few blocks to the BOTWOOD 50 PLUS CLUB. The local Seniors group made us a Buffet Supper, ALL HOMEMADE DISHES. We had MOOSE IN GRAVY, VEGETABLES & FRUIT from the local area. Several of the dishes were specialties of the area.
We had intertainment by a Local singer and it was a GREAT day with the temp. in the 80's.

Bus pickup at 9:30 am for City tour and then out to Cape Spear, NF. We tour Cape Spear Light house and the grounds. We are now standing on the furtherest East Point of North America. When we look to the Sea, we are watching 6 whales role and dive just off shore.
Back on the bus and head back towards town to signal Hill. THE SPOT MARCONI HEARD THE FIRST GLOBEL TRANSMISSION OF A TELEGRAPH FROM EUROPE.

26 Jul Sat. day 55
This run is to Gander, NL. CENTER OF THE EARTH FOR AVIATION FOR DECADES. The airfield there was built in 1936. Aircraft from North America to Europe had to stop here for fuel. This City almost doubled in size on 9/11/01, when 43 Jumbo Jets converged here with 6700 passengers, because of terrorist attack in N.Y.C and D.C. The city at the time had a population of 8500 people.

27 Jul Sun. day 56
Drive to Botwood. Population about 3600. Started as a Seaplane base for early aviaton.
During WW2 it was the center for all Sea Plane activity for the North Atlantic. Today it has a papermill and fishing. today it hit 90degrees and we have had 3 days in the high 80's.

Travel to Stillwater and Nimrod RV Park. Had to make it thru Halifax-- thank goodness for Sunday morning and no traffic. Stopped at Heritage Village. There are 15 buildings all made up for the forties/fifties nostalgia. All kinds of of old stuff sitting everywhere, Brings back a lot of memories. Had lunch there in the (Cook Shack). Served on enamal ware, were vegetable soup, beans, fresh baked bread. Molasses for the beans. Dessert was ginger-bread with Rhubarb sauce. A big thunderstorm just as we got there soaked us . Nimrod RV park set on a very nice little lake.

(FINALLY ABLE TO CATCH UP, SO BARE WITH US)

21 jULY mON. DAY 50
Drive to Harris and Sidney. Stopping in Baedeck, NS to visit Alexander Graham Bell museum. Discovered how many things he was involved with besides the Telephone.
Amazing man way ahead of his time.

22 July Tu. day 51
Bus tour around Cape Betton Park. Following the Cabot Trail. Explored by Cabot in 1497 then settled by Scots. Gaelic culture abounds the area. Celtic University is there to teach the old language and ways. This evening we had the meeting for the Ferry trip to Newfoundland.

23 Jul Wed. day 52
THE LONGEST DAY. Up at 4am for a 5am departure. 22 mile drive to the Ferry dock.
In line about 2 hrs. before loading. The Ferry is about 540 ft. in length, will hold 370 cars and 70 tracter trailers. We can't stay in the coach so we are assigned a cabin. It's 260 miles and takes 17 hrs. so we don't get into Argentia, Newfoundland until 2am on the 24th of July (thur)

24 Jul Thur. day 53
After getting to bed at 3:30am We are all up and leave Argentia for St. John's at 11:00am
Very pretty drive--gorgeous lakes--lots of rocks. Arr. at the RV park at 3:00 get on a bus at 4:30 for a ride out to a little cove and another boat ride---- But this time to see Whales and Puffins. Saw 2 Whales up close and personal. Then an Island full of Puffins (Cute Birds) Back to the dock after about 1Hr.30min of cruising, then had a wonderful tasty Cod Au gratin dinner.