Leaving Gros Morne
The Lomond River Lodge campground is very quiet compared to many other sites I’ve stayed at recently. It was very chilly on the mountain last night. I was up at 7:00 am and there wasn’t much else happening in the campground. I use SleepCycle, an app, to wake me in the morning. It tracks the percent of restful sleep I get at night and lately I’ve been around 75% range. Last night I was at 92%. The sound of the churning river below me in the gorge was meditative, which probably contributed to the deep sleep night.
It is extremely peaceful at this time of the morning with some low hanging clouds diffusing a soft amber light. I don’t hear any birds, although they do visit the fringes of the camp site. They don’t seem to be trying to grab any morsels.
Met a guy from Nantucket at the campground. He and his buddy come Newfoundland every year to camp and tour the island. He suggested that I shouldn’t miss the Bonavista region. He said it was beautiful and the people are so friendly. I told him I would consider taking a side trip.
Gros Mourne
As I drive, I often see woman running or walking along the road in the middle of nowhere. I never see men out exercising. There seems to be no homes or side roads anywhere in the area where I see them.
I had been told by so many people I need to go see the Fjords of Gros Mourne. On my way to Gros Mourne I stopped to take photos of the waterways. As normally happens around here, someone comes over and asks me to take their photo. Today I met Amy and Brad. Amy was from Stephenville nearby and Brad also grew up nearby. We chatted and swatted flies. They told me to go to the Treasure Box in Rocky Harbour and try the toutons.
The Treasure Box in Rocky Harbour
A touton is a doughy type of pancake. Heavier and smaller than a pancake. I had a cup of coffee as well. It’s hard to describe this place. It’s part niknak shop, restaurant and supplies store. It seems to be the only place to get a coffee in town. There’s a laundromat 100 m from the store, and an area museum. I spent some time here because they had cell coverage.
I decided today I would travel and get closer to St. Johns. It is Labor Day weekend in Canada and the roads were a little more congested than yesterday.
The Fjords in Gros Morne
The big attraction for the area is the boat tours of the fjords. I was late getting tickets and everything was booked. The views of the area are still spectacular. I kept pulling over to just look or take some photos. Very Sad face!!
Overnight In Gander
I booked a tent site in Gander and went to Ruthie’s for dinner. This was a very popular local dinner, and I squeaked in at the very last minute. I order the salmon dinner and a local ale. I was the last to leave the restaurant with all the chairs stacked on tables, except for one. The waitstaff were all having a beer.
It seems, at least in this part of Canada that you can’t give your card to someone to pay your bill. You must take it to the cashier and insert the card yourself, tap or use Apple Pay.
It’s been difficult finding a place to post because of the lack of Cell and Wi-Fi service. At the campsite, I have neither.