In the morning I unhooked B and headed back to Port aux Basque, stopping at the visitor center to get some info. Roberta was so helpful, pointing out what I absolutely had to do, recommending sites and routes and restaurants. A cod lunch at Seaside Restaurant in the tiny fishing village of Margaree was great. I continued eastward on coastal Route 470 passing more fishing villages, many lakes and streams until I arrived at Rose Blanche. The granite lighthouse there is so picturesque, my phone camera fails doing it justice, as I’m sure will be the case throughout this adventure.
Returning to Codroy Valley I meandered it’s few roads, beaches, farms, and river. Back at camp, I pulled out the map and guidebook and started to plot my course north and east. Having decided to stay as long as I needed to to more fully enjoy the island and culture, I found myself planning to spend the next week just on the west side of the rock (as the locals sometimes call it). I rescheduled a campsite reservation and made a couple new ones to carry me through the upcoming Labour Day holiday weekend. With the map now in front of me and with recommendations of locals and other travelers, I was starting to wonder whether I’d be ready to leave the island when the last ferry of the season makes its crossing September 22. Due to the season-ending schedule of the Argentia/North Sydney ferry, I had to either leave by the 15th or on the next boat, a week later. I’ve got some driving, site seeing and route planning to do.
Needing to move on from my favorite campground, I hooked up and headed out for the couple hour drive to Kippens, where I’d drop the trailer and then make the 100 mile circle tour of the Port au Port Peninsula, aka the French Ancestors Route. It was a rainycloudyfoggy day but still a nice drive. I envied the people living on the shoreline with gorgeous views to Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Glad I didn’t bypass this little side trip. I wrapped up the day with a quick provisioning stop at Coleman’s grocery store in Stephenville and a Rickards Red ale at The Bar & Grill. Back at camp, I took advantage of a rare fast & reliable internet connection to catch up on email, upload pictures & videos, write this post, and do some trip research. The brisk wind was clearing out the clouds. Tomorrow promised to be sunny and cool!
Video from the Lighthouse Point
So in the morning, I’m off to Gros Morne National Park, a few hours away. Can’t wait! Yes, there’s something about this land.