Suz and Dan Daze

Gros Morne (Berry Hill) Newfoundland

Simply magical is the only way we can describe Newfoundland as the people are friendly and welcoming and the island is unspoiled and pristine.. The Bay of St Lawrence contains some of the cleanest ocean waters in the world and West Brook Pond, arguably, has the cleanest fresh water in the entire world.

We traveled from North Sidney, Nova Scotia to Port Aux Basque, Newfoundland, via a 6 hour ferry crossing (the alternate ferry takes 14 hours) through beautiful waters where whales and dolphins played and accompanied our very large ferry. Keep in mind, Newfoundland is an island and everything which travels to the island is via ferry (food, gasoline, and other consumable and finished products). The ferry had 5 decks and carried cars, 18 wheelers, campers, and RVs.

North Sidney Ferry Terminal

Dan on the upper deck as we were departing

B&B, Codroy Valley. Spent Newfoundland arrival night and departure night here.

View from the back porch of the B&B. The water is tidal and the mountains leave you feeling like you're home..

You'll note we began by stating Newfoundland was "magical". As such, you will fine three separate posts covering our time in Newfoundland. This post titled Gros Morne Berry Hill, followed by L'Anse Aux Meadows (Viking Settlement and St Anthony's) and Gros Morne Trout River. We spent two full weeks on this island and toured the west coast as the east coast was a full 8 - 10 hours drive across the island (with nothing in between) and would have resulted in a 14 hour ferry ride to the mainland. In hindsight, we should have spent an extra week but...

Gros Morne is part of the Parks Canada system and is a very large national park with two distinct sections. The north (Berry Hill) and the south (Trout River).

Berry Hill camp site

The following pictures take us to the Tablelands, a world heritage site with a unique and "one of a kind" geological site. The Tablelands are the golden set of mountains with the flat top (go figure..) The rock is from the earth's mantle and very little, if anything, grows in the environment. In the same valley, you can also find mountains from the Appalachian mountain range, the same range which runs from Georgia, into Eastern Canada, through Newfoundland and into Ireland.

It's like you're in another world... And, NASA utilizes this area to test equipment NASA takes to Mars.

The people of Newfoundland have historically lived off the ocean and fishing. The following series are of a fishing home where three brothers, their three wives and four children spent the summer season. The red barn was used for supplies and a workshop. The little white structure housed the extended family for 6 months a year..

What's a home without a reading room. And yes, the wind blows.

The view down the coast from the front porch.

The house had three bedrooms, a pantry/entry room and a common area. Each couple had their own room and the four children slept in the common area.

Pantry/entry room. Note: my mom had this very same washing machine...

The common area and our Park Interpreter.

Part of the "WOW" of Newfoundland.

So from the ocean to the mountains, a view of the fjord where West Brook Pond is located. Pictures of West Brook Pond to follow in a later post.

Common along the coast are stone pillars. The following two pictures are "The Arches".

The Arches

View of Rocky Harbor from Lobster Cove Lighthouse.

Lobster Cove Lighthouse.

Much of our time at Berry Hill was spent hiking. The Gros Morne hike could be either a 4 hour or an 8 hour round trip. Dan would have been happy to go for the 8 hours but not me. As such, the following is the view of Gros Morne from our turn-around-point. If you did choose to continue, the trail was "one way" forward due to loose rocks and significant elevation change. Once you started up, there was no safe way to turn back..

Turn-around-point view.

And look what we had the fortunate opportunity to witness... Yes, mom and her baby playing in the water.

Enough water time, it's off to an alternate bog.

Turn-around-point view of the Bay of St Lawrence.

The Tablelands off in the distance.

Dan watching the moose and her calf.

Again, Tablelands off in the distance.

When you're not on a schedule, you can change your plans and enjoy some of the local culture. The following are a few pictures from a "return to Newfoundland" event at Lobster Cove.

Gros Morne Mountain in the background.

Nice turnout for the event.

Cake, coffee & tea served by Parks Canada personnel to all in attendance. Very yummy cake baked by The Chocolate Moose, a local bakery. Note: Every little town had a bakery where you could purchase fresh breads and such every day... No sliced bread in Newfoundland.