It's a wet morning. It rained last night, but it's not enough to clean my car.
My morning starts at Tim Morton’s for coffee and a bathroom to wash up.
I get to the ferry terminal at 9:00, as you need to arrive at least two hours before boarding.
I pack a bag with a few essentials and food for the seven-hour boat ride since any access to my van is prohibited.
It's quite impressive how many vehicles can be loaded on the ferry. Honestly, I am impressed.
Back in January, when I made my reservation, I still had the option to choose a seat in front of a window. I am on deck 9 at the back of the ferry. (you don't have to reserve a seat)
It's such a gloomy rainy day that all I can see is a few of the waves surrounding the ferry. It's mystical, especially when the whistle blows into the thin air.
In the last two hours, the skies have cleared a bit, but not enough for a walk on the deck, and the wind is too strong to make it pleasant.
I spend most of my time reading or writing on my notes app. Even though there is supposed to be WiFi, there really isn't. I close my eyes for a while as the gentle rocking of the boat is relaxing.
As we reach land, Newfoundland welcomes me with its wild landscape. My heart beats with excitement.
You might wonder why I use the word fear so often lately. Well, that's what I feel. For me, embarking on an adventure in Newfoundland feels like going beyond my comfort zone. I hope I am not biting off more than I can chew.
I remind myself that this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit this place, and I better make the most of it, whatever my experience will be. It's another exercise in accepting things as they are.
By seven pm, I am off the ferry. Even though there are another two hours of daylight, I don't want to venture too far that late in the evening. I constantly hear that I shouldn't drive during the night in Newfoundland. It's too dangerous with the moose crossing the road.
In the last few months, I've added boondocking places to my Google Maps folder. It is known that boondocking is available everywhere in Newfoundland.
I saved a location twenty minutes away, which should be good. It will also give me enough time if that location is not suitable for any reason. I have another option, another thirty minutes further.
My destination is Cape Ray Lighthouse. As I reach the end of the road where the lighthouse stands, a big Super C RV takes most of the road. I park to the side, but I am not that level. Sleeping crooked is definitely not ideal.
I park and walk on the rocky shore. It's cold, windy, and a bit drizzling, so it's a short walk just to breathe in the fresh air of Newfoundland.
When I return from my walk, the lady in the Super C is waving at me from the window. I wave back, and she comes out to say hello.
Before you know it, I am parked behind the RV. A few minutes later, I am enjoying a hot cup of tea in a warm space, enjoying a lovely conversation with Linda and Evert from Manitoba.
As the sun goes down, the wind picks up. I heard about the legend of the wind in Newfoundland. She is blowing strong!
Except for the blistering wind, it's a quiet night until 4:30 am, when the fog whistle jolts me from my sleep. I am able to fall back to sleep until 6:30 am, when the fog whistle sears the sleep out of me. All I can do is laugh about the situation.
So many people describe Newfoundland as wild. Honestly, there's no better word. It's simply pristine, vast wilderness.
It is so broad, that all you can feel is being tiny and, at the same time, mighty and empowered by the raw beauty around you.
I wish I could stop more often to take pictures of the landscape. But there are not a lot of places to stop, and I need to keep my eyes on the road, as there are many potholes to maneuver around.
My travel plan is to circle the island from the west to the east.
I have camping reservations at two Gros Morne National Park campsites in four days. In the meantime, I plan to explore the Cape St. George Bay Area and Lark Harbour.
As I travel on Route 460 to Boutte du Cap Park, I see a sign for hidden falls. In a split-second decision, I turn a sharp left onto the dirt road.
Holy cow, this is a perfect postcard picture. The falls are flowing into the most beautiful landscape. A must-stop!
I laugh when Google Maps tells me I am on the fastest route. That's the only route to the park. There's nothing else, only one road.
I pass many small villages. I love the simplicity of living here. It reminds me of Prince Edward Island. One village even has a traffic light, which makes me stop and see to my left a YMCA. Perfect, it's shower time for two dollars, and I am clean.
Boutte du Cap Park is a small park with stunning sheer rock rising from the bay's blue, clear water. I also notice that it could be a very good place to park for the night if I were here at the end of my day.
I continue along Route 460, driving and enjoying the scenery. I have a few spots in mind for boondocking tonight, so I am driving in that direction to check them out.
I am almost 3/4 of the way to circle the Bay of St. George, but my three options didn't satisfy my request for a stunning view like I saw in Boutte du Cap Park. It's time to turn around. Yes, I am adding mileage and wasting more gas, but Boutte du Cap Park is worth the effort.
So, my view tonight is the Gulf of St. Lawrence blue water.
The picnic table is perfect for laying my yoga mat and stretching my body. Since I can't stand in my van, I need to make sure my body is flexible and strong.
Good morning, glorious day! I open the side door to let in a new day's beauty and smell.
I am enjoying a slow morning, staring into the blue sea, wishing to spot a whale, but this is too early in the season. I am here to chase the iceberg. Here and there, seals come up to the surface to wish me a good morning and a good day.
By nine, I am on the trail to hike the La Marches Des Miettes trail. After a mile, I turn around as the hike enters the low trees and does not go along the ridge to give me the blue color I wish to enjoy.
Time to move...
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