Travel Newfoundland: Avalon Peninsula
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Our destination today is Terra Nova National Park, on the east coast of Newfoundland. We were very surprised by the fees charged: $ 5.00 per adult per day for a further $ 21.00 per day camping without utilities (electricity was 5.00 dollars more per night). The area has forests of trees to reach the sea are many hiking trails, mostly between four and ten kilometers.
We went to the Marine Interpretation Centre. A guard explains different aquatic animals that are in contact tank: stars, scallops, crabs, barnacles number, etc was very informative. They also have tanks on them with local species: cod, CAPLAIN, etc.
Monday, July 21, 2003
He took part in the paths of today to see the wildlife and landscape that Terra Nova has to offer. We saw three plovers, gulls, a whiskey Jack (Jay-gray), and squirrels, which are not native to Newfoundland. We saw traces and feces of elk and bear tracks, but no elk or a bear.
After a day of walking, it was early to bed.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Taken to San Juan, capital of Newfoundland. We're parked Pitty Park in St. Johns. It is located near the Memorial.
Until 1948 the island was an independent country. On July 22, 1948, voted or not part of Canada. The first vote has been elusive. After some negotiations with the Canadian government and the necessary concessions, people voted for the Confederation tight margins. Many Newfoundlanders, even today, many expected that the Confederation has not happened. Other options had become a member of the United States or to remain independent.
In caused a decrease in the Canal (French for stick) Provincial Park. They put us in the overflow section, which is perfect for us because the area is wide. There is no electricity or water, except for boiled available in a provincial park. We are therefore pleased to pay $ 13.00 Canadian per night. We are near the lake that has spat the water temperature of bath water. There are hiking trails. This leads falls into a picturesque swimming is allowed but not recommended. Another leads to the ruins of the city of La Mancha. After Confederation in 1949, the premises had the opportunity to settle in a big city, because it was too expensive for the maintenance of roads and other services such as electricity deals. Most of the rejections. After a violent storm hit the region in the 1960s, the city had been destroyed and people have moved anyway. The foundations of buildings yet this ancient fishing village prosperous. Similar stories exist for many fishing villages on the island. When the fish were killed by the dredging, life expectancy the fishermen of Newfoundland was also terminal. Many have chosen to abandon the old methods, which originally had brought their families abundant in this island, and moved to big cities for less work.
Friday, July 25, 2003
Today we went whale watching. We found that Gatherall Bay Bulls charge of $ 50.00 per person, but someone recommended bird sea or ocean adventure Torres Baulin East, near the park for only $ 20.00 per person for a trip an hour. We decided to check and see what they offer. We met Jerry, the owner-operator of seabirds, who had just returned from a trip to the Big Island, the sanctuary of the puffin. He said he had seen about six humpbacks shipping. When we left our little group of four has grown to more than twenty people. There was ample room for all on board. Three Islands Witless Bay Ecological Reserve include: Large, green, and Oasis. Grande is the most important and sets up the east coast of Baulin. The first bird was reported the Fulmar, a rarity since only twenty pairs on the island. Then there were the puffins bit touching the water, waving around as fast as hummingbirds, colorful peaks contrasting with black and white bodies. Also in abundance are terns, or Murr in Newfoundland, and kittiwakes, a member of the smallest families Gaviota, which has plunged the tips of the wings in a bottle of ink. Mostly birds. Outside of large dams.
Everyone in the boat was scanning the horizon as it Mon directed Finally someone yelled, "Thar blows, to starboard. Judgement on hunting, we went and it was our first humpback whale, with a dip in a gesture caudal fin. Overall, we saw a dozen whales. The number could be more or less. It is very difficult to identify unless you get pictures. We have a couple tail fin, which often have identification marks. Some of the whales were still vocalizing us. Everyone on board has acted as eight years, David, full of excitement and fear of the beautiful people. Sometimes they had less than five feet away from the whale. Somehow, I think that was due as much fun as we were, as porpoises in Charleston, South Carolina port. Our journey by sea was more than an hour, or even not started returning to the Big Island or Pier.
We returned on the side of lee of the island and saw the nest of the sites Kittlwakes with adults and infants. We've been through many caves, a cave of the skull, so called because it looked like one, and natural arches carved into the rock by water and wind. The trip lasted almost two hours. Everyone was on their money, plus some.
After a sandwich fast we went to twenty minute drive from Ferryland. We wanted to see the colony of Avalon and other interesting sites. We are back to Shamrock Festival Ferryland morning. When we arrived, were still building the site. Colony of Avalon is there also. We join a guided tour, which had just begun, just outside the visitor center. Jennifer Carter was our guide. If she did not know the answer to our questions, which has been in constant communication with someone who does.
Colony of Avalon is an active center of the archaeological community over four hectares created by George Calvert, aka Lord Baltimore in 1621. Located on the banks of a naturally protected port, the colony prospered throughout the 17th century, cod fishing is the primary sector. Thousands of objects have been found at the site, some even dating back to the tribes and Beotuck 16th century, Basque, Portuguese, French and English fishermen in season. The Colony of Avalon, however, the streets were paved drains, washed two times daily by high tides, forges, wells, tanks in the port doors, fences, a mansion, and many other buildings. Excavations are still in course, with new artifacts found by day. The day we were there, they found a piece of glass and a piece of gold.
Lord Baltimore has left the solution Sir David Kirke and went on to found the colony of Maryland. Kirke is as well to the construction of the colony, was tried and convicted in England, probably misuse of funds should have gone to the crown. Women took her by another twenty years. Most people have never heard of this thriving institution that is earlier to Plymouth Rock. St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and at Jamestown in 1607.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
I was on a path to the ruins of the City of La Mancha. The city began in 1840 and built on the slope of a steep hill, at least fifteen feet above the shore. Living there has been quite difficult, because everything was up and down the steep slope. Although it was nearly a mile from the nearest road, the city prospered. When the confederation with Canada was held in 1949, the government wanted to move from the city so that appropriate services are provided. They refused. But his decision was overturned during a storm destroyed the city. It was a holy storm, because the city was so high the water's edge. Only the foundations remain, some with basements, the cables of a suspension bridge crossing the river, and the house of a doctor in ruins across the river and forest.
We saw a humpback whale frolicking in the bay. On returning home, I found a backbone of the old stone and gave it to Jordan, a ten year old boy who took the trip with us. Herlidan Tanya was our naturalist guide. Later she brought to our photos of the trailer of the city as it once was.
Monday, July 28, 2003
Irish is a good day fresh loop Ireland visit: cloudy rainy and windy. Our first stop was at Ferryland in the museum. We heard about World Cup war graves. Young people who have been to the museum did not know but had heard stories of submarines in the region. We were told the Germans brought the body bags of sand and local residents have services for them and were then buried in their cemeteries. We were told that was possible due to the solitude of the local lighthouse, now in the fog, it would be a good place to dump the body. They could not confirm history, however. We have asked the old graveyard. We found him. As you can see in the picture, it was entirely uneducated, many headstones were broken and unreadable. If the story is true or legend, it is still a great story.
Renew Crossing, where the Mayflower stopped for supplies, while on the road to Plymouth Rock. Then out of the Portugal Cove South. The landscape is very open at this time, a place to see herds of caribou, which number in the thousands. On reaching the center Portugal Cove South, in the fog. We were told by young girls in the center that the fog had lifted and was totally out of Nice. During the past week, could see across the road. Portugal Cove South has 158 days of fog per year, almost half the time. When asked why they were so happy, he said it was because of the confluence of the Labrador, the Gulf of Mexico and the flow of San Lorenzo. In the visitor center on display in the Titanic and the fossil record. The flagship Cape Race men were the first to hear the SOS of the Titanic in 1912 failed. The mobile and the old house was demolished nine years later. Thus, some artifacts were buried. On the road to Cape Point Race is wrong, a treasure trove of fossils 575 million years old. Because the cod industry in the area was destroyed, local citizens have become self-appointed guardians of travel offers and lead fossil poachers. Today was not a day for optimal look, because become a shift in the North Atlantic. When young women wondering what was available in the region to stop here, said: "Nothing." were two students from San Juan with a specialization in social work and physical therapy at home and only for the summer.
Off we went to Trepassey. Trepassey was the point take-off for transatlantic voyage in 1928 Amelia Earhart. We were in a rain storm. We took refuge in a restaurant, had lunch and watched the storm. On the way to San Shotts see caribou. They were hidden behind the fog all. Caribou did not see the whole trip. We were told that the numbers have been greatly reduced due to illness. There is very little left on the Avalon Peninsula.
We proceeded to the west of Ireland in a loop. The Shroud of Brigadoon show closed with a beautiful landscape with Kelly Green small farms that dot the hill. We broke into the song, glad to see the other seventy miles from the Loop Irish.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
We went to Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America. Although it is an island of Newfoundland, is still considered part of the North American continent. Just as the North Cape in Norway, it is not an island, is considered the northernmost part of Europe. In addition to a 1835 headlamp one of the oldest of Newfoundland, Cape is the establishment of slots built by the U.S. and Canadian armies during World War II ways to protect the port of San Juan Nazi submarines. Although we have seen minke whales breaking the surface. They were very far from obtaining the images. But it was exciting.
He returned to the city and across the city. We stopped Moo Moo ice cream a favorite of the 88 flavors of hard ice cream packaging. After the cones, we went to the Basilica of San Juan, which the diocese keeps its records. We were told the historian that over Pelley clan settled in communities in England. San Juan was the closest port to Ireland. San Juan, traveled to Halifax and Boston. Many Catholics Irish Protestants settled in cities because the Catholic Church has not been well established in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The research was is now listed. Him send you more information on those who are interested in their genealogy.
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Today, we went to the Killick Coast. A stones Killick is a long ankle locked in soft wood sticks tied with the Crusaders basically tap into the seabed.
Along the way are the cities with names as Torbay, where the British came to take on San Juan Francés.
In addition, Flat Rock, where the cod was placed in the rocks to dry flat. The Pope John Paul II was there to bless the fleet. It also houses a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, which is visited by many pilgrims.
More is available Pouch (pronounced pooch) of the Bay, founded before 1611, which was the first documented date. Although permanent housing have been imposed by the Crown in the 17th and 18th centuries, or the Royal Navy, pirates or venture into the dangerous waters of the harbor. Thus, the city grows.
It then took another route through San Francisco Point a gravel road with just enough for passage. At the end of the road is a heliport and a beacon to warn mariners of the rocks. For the Northern Peninsula are Baccalieu and Baccalieu. The view is impressive.
The Sierra Club also have to think also, because we are a group of hikers Tour of the track from the coast this lunch on the pavement.
Finally, the section on Portugal Cove ferry terminal on the island Bell. Bell Island is famous for its iron mines, ranging under the sea during the Second World War, the German government has urged local boat captains man of her submarines, because they knew that the waters of the region. Newfoundland, at the same time was an independent country. One of the ferries recently had a collision with a Russian trawler in confined waters, putting out of the Commission. The government does not know whether to continue or reward to the captain of the ferry. We had lunch at the Cove Beach Café, part of a B & B with the same name. The potatoes were excellent, a large basket of wedges.
Performs loop Shore, including Placentia, the French original of the capital. We take the dirt road by a gravel road. The Fradsham have a summer house on this road, called Misty Mountain. No one was home. We left a note. The trail passes through a gorge that cuts the sixty foot waterfall in the hills, a show nice. We parked the range where the regatta held in July Plasencia, on the one hand, the Triple Crown of Newfoundland.
We visited the city of Placentia in 1662 to protect all French interests in North America. Castle Hill overlooking the town is a National Historic Site. He managed to protect the city against invasion but the blockade. The land was not conducive to agriculture and gradually factions condemned the colony. The French later built the fortifications of Louisbourg NS, leaving Placentia Colombia.
Also in archaeological Plasencia other passes the port base. An excavation is in Fort Louis, a military post, and Fort Frederick, the harbor entrance. The first visit and you can see in the work processes. It is less accessible, but a better quality of the objects discovered is. Can be seen in the treatment center archaeological sites in the city.
Led to the ecological requirements of Santa Maria de la Reserve, which is strictly for the birds: pelicans
On the way back to Piacenza we stopped at several towns along the route. The first was Saint Bride, whose population doubled in 1941, when Americans have up a listener base to the German ships in the region. Over 400 soldiers stayed during the war years. They were able to transmit messages to the U.S. naval base Argentia thirty miles north. Military medical personnel was also in charge of his people since they had no other medical care available.
Then we stopped at Gooseberry Cove, a small black sand beach cove. It is very quiet, watching the waves on the sand. The sand is unusual in Newfoundland, since most are rocky beaches. Some rocks scattered on the beach, but most had been sprayed on the sand by the action of currents.
Our next step was to Ship Cove, a man who had the stone breakwater. In the barrier of people built mounds. Add my own collection. Meanwhile, Maggie woody float to work in his sculpture.
Start at Plaisance and a stop at the Archaeological Center. They had to find a silver, slightly smaller than a dime cents, with a cross inscribed on one side. The opposite side is more difficult to read. The lady also show a copper coin, discovered recently, with three flowers on one side Leis.
From the O'Reilly House, built in the beginning of the century by the local magistrate. It has been renovated with donated items. The house also features exhibitions on the relocation of many communities in Placentia Bay. The stories are very sad. All cities were fishing villages, independent. While there were no fish, there was work. When fishing is prohibited for them, their lifestyle was deleted. This is reminiscent of the destruction of the buffalo and resettlement Amerindians.
About the Author
John and Maggie Pelley are Geriatric Gypsies. Both of us are retired from the rat race of working. We are full-time RVers, who ran away from home. We began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons. No more shoveling snow in Chicago. We have discovered volunteering with the National Park System. During our travels we have found that each town has a story to tell: some are more interesting than others. Both of us enjoy good listening music as we go. John has a CD he has recorded of Native American flure music. We have learned that RVing has a learning curve. We want to pass on some advice the help others avoid this trecherous curve. Life is an adventure. We are living it to the utmost.
James & The Giant Peach
