June 21-22, Rocky Harbor and Gros Morne National Park

We are making our way back down the Northern Peninsula. To the right are the Long Range Mountains and on the left is the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Labrador Straits. Another absolutely beautiful drive down Route 430 along the Straits of Belle Isle, we hooked up at camp and then drove over to Rocky Harbor.

This is a view of the town of Norris Pointe. We saw a film at the Gros Morne Visitors Center which explained how the shifting of the tectonic plates and glacial movement has created one of the most intriguing natural landscapes on the continent.

The Bonne Bay boat tour we take today is a 2 1/2 hr. ride around the bay and into the St. Lawrence. I learned that, 420 to 570 million years ago, the rocks of Gros Morne (means large montain) were part of an ancient ocean. When two continents collided, these rocks were pushed up to become part of the Appalachian Mountains. This spectacular landscape and the geological dynamics qualified the area as a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO.

I got to see a little Minky whale and a pirate (who looked a lot like a member of our crew).

Here's Joe, watching out for pirates!

I shot about 40 pictures during this boat ride, but have included only a few. Most of them speak for themselves.

The village is being lovingly restored to its original charm.

The lobster fishing in this area has suffered a sharp decline. A fisherman may set out 250 traps and catch only about 15 lobsters. Hard to make a living that way. Some depend heavily on the tourist business, but that lasts only about 4 months.






This is an Anglican Church.

Below is an example of what a fisherman's house really looked like in this village.

The mountain in the background is called a tabletop. Easy to see how it got its name. Due to the composition of the rock, no vegitation will grow.





It does, however, serve as an excellent platform for snow and this fellow "hates" snow.

Our tour ended with some foot tapping, hand clapping Newfoundland music. This was another magical day. Tomorrow we head for the ferry back to Nova Scotia.

I will miss this place.