Gros Morne
I left the Codroy Valley on my way to Gros Morne. So many people had told me I had to visit the fjords that I modified my plans to take it all in. I had a long trip ahead of me.
Moose Alert
I was warned by several people about moose on the road and how dangerous it is. I’ve seen two moose many years ago and have heard of them in Connecticut and Vermont but have never seen them. As you drive, you see warning signs along the way telling you to “Be Moose Alert”, indicating the areas where moose are common and in some places, the number of moose related accidents over the past two years on that stretch of highway.
A car with a trailer passed me, and suddenly, two moose jumped over the guardrail at the same time and partially collided. When they saw me, they immediately turned back. I remember one person told me if you are driving after dark, never drive over 70 kph (45 mph). Driving after dark can be a real problem, with the potholes, moose and other animals, and the intense darkness, it’s sometimes difficult to really see.
I stopped to fill up on gas at a Circle-K/Irving gas station in Deer Park, NL and made a reservation at Lomond River Lodge in Birchy Head, NL. The campground is situated on the side of a mountain above a rapidly running river. I checked in around 6:30 pm and had the site setup in 45 minutes. It didn’t seem like heavy rains were imminent.
I needed some groceries and no one knew of any store near by. I drove down the mountain hoping to find something. I came to the small town of Bonne Bay, NL with a group of shops (the downtown area). There were two stores that sold a limited array of grocery items. I bought a pear, beer, laundry detergent, and eggs.
As I left, I noticed the sun hitting the mountains in the background. This only lasted a few minutes.
I thought it would be interesting to explore the shops down the street. As I got closer, I could hear live folk music coming from The Merchant Warehouse. A woman was singing Newfoundlander folk songs and people were shouting the lyrics with her. This was a place I wanted to visit. I sat and ordered a small mixed salad and a local beer.
As I left, walking back to my car a woman approached me and asked if I would “grab their photo.” This really happens everyday here to me.
It was dark now and I was slowly driving back to the campsite. Others were driving noticeably slower as well.