At the suggestion of a rider we met Friday, we rode south toward Corner Brook on the TransCanada Highway past Deer Lake, then west on Rt 450, which follows the trail of explorer Capt. James Cook. The roads were a little choppy once off the TCH but the sights were worth it. It was sunny and clear at about 85F. All the towns and villages were clearly working towns built at the shoreline. There were vacation cabins, too, but you can clearly see the difference. The road ran out at Lark Harbor where we stopped for a bite at a nice little place called Myrtle’s On The Bay. On the way back we noticed the entrance to “Blow Me Down Provincial Park.” Really.
On the way back north, we diverted to the Tablelands in Gros Morne Park. They come by their name honestly because these huge hills are flat as a table on top. As I may have mentioned before, this geological feature is made of earth’s mantle that was beneath the ocean floor when two tectonic plates collided about 460 million years ago. (The mantle is super hot material beneath the crust.) This event continued the formation of this part of the Appalachian Mountain Chain by pushing mantle and immense quantities of sea bed up. The mantle at Tablelands was then gradually exposed by the procession of glaciers over the next millions of years. It’s fascinating and a bit overwhelming to see evidence of processes at work over such a long time span. Lots to think about.
While at Tablelands, we encountered Jessica and Francois again as they prepared to hike. Their vehicle is a 1992 Chevy Conversion Van that belonged to someone’s father and has been restored. It provides them with inexpensive, mobile accommodations and it’s in great shape. Remember when you’d see these everywhere? Now they’re rare as hen’s teeth but they have one!
All told, we covered 260 fun miles today. Back at our room, we’re getting set for tomorrow’s ride to Port Aux Basque where we will pick up the ferry to Nova Scotia on Monday. It will be nice to ride towards home, but sad to leave this wonderful island.
Have a good night.
ps Connie takes the majority of her photos from the back of the bike. Hence there are lots of roads featured here.
Wandering Retirees 