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9/10/2007
I spent the morning at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum. Kind of interesting and I think I got some good pictures. Also went to the Tourist Center/Chamber of Commerce to get some maps. Interesting that many places appear to have free internet service for customer use. You never see that in the States. Still no sign of my luggage…called to check on it but got someone in India who was just reading a script. I hate that! Stopped at a dollar store to buy this notebook and picked up a Mars bar. It’s just a Milky Way in a different wrapper, go figure. Resisted the urge to buy a Big Turk…can always get one later. Think now I will run by the airport to see if that yields better results.
Well, no luggage yet, but it may be on its way. It’s hard to be upset with the Air Canada people because they are so nice. I had a very pleasant conversation with them about things to do while I’m in Newfoundland. Seems there is a possibility I will see some bear and moose…how cool is that? Now I’m going to grab some lunch and then head to the Silent Witness Memorial (a memorial for the troops and crew who lost their lives in the worst air disaster ever on Canadian soil). Hopefully, after that, my luggage will be here.
Well...things are not going smoothly. My luggage has disappeared without a trace. I am giving up and heading to St Alban's...if they find my luggage; it will be sent to me.
Yay! My luggage was found and I will get it in the morning. Newfoundland is so beautiful, all pine trees and water. The only annoying thing is that the roads have no shoulder, so there is no way to pull over and take pictures.
St Alban’s is really beautiful in a picturesque bay kind of way. People here are so friendly. Just spent a bit of time with Claude, the bartender at the Pub Lounge, and had a great conversation. He even gave me my 2nd beer free. Came back to the Inn and, even though the restaurant was closed, they made me a sandwich and fries that were delicious. I love this place.
OMG! I just saw something you never see in the States anymore. A car pulled up to the local gas station and an attendant actually came out to pump the gas…amazing! The thing you really notice in St Alban’s at night is how dark and quiet it is. I don’t think I have experienced quiet like this since I was in the mountains at Virginia Tech. It is so wonderful.
I went back to the Pub for a couple more beers and a little video poker. Had fun and enjoyed the Molson Canadian.
9/11/2007
Darn it! I got up this morning and no sign of my luggage. I’m gonna have to buy clothes if it doesn’t show up soon…I’m sick of wearing the same thing.
I just had an excellent breakfast at the Inn. Now I think I will do some more exploring and get some pictures.
Finished exploring and came back to the Inn to find that my bag still wasn’t here. Decided to walk up the road to Riff’s to buy a shirt…really tired of the one I am wearing. Came back to the Inn, changed into my new shirt and got lunch. Of course, now that I had broken down and bought a shirt, my bag decided to show up. Oh well, I’m just glad to have it. I meandered down the road and stopped for a beer and a chat with Claude. He told me that St Alban’s is known for raising beautiful girls. Tonight is ladies dart night, but Claude thinks all the hot girls are off to school…but their moms will be there. Since I am here tonight, I guess I won’t want to miss it. Went down to the library to check my email…looks like the world is surviving without me. This is such an incredibly peaceful place, I am doing just fine without the world as well. Think now I will go for a little drive around.
Drove around a bit and got some good pictures. Stopped and finally got that Big Turk bar…mm-mm. Came back to the Inn and planned the next part of my journey. I like it here but it is getting to be time to move on. Before that happens though, I am going to check out ladies dart night at the Pub.
9/12/2007
Wow! Ladies dart night kicked my butt. Of course, that could have something to do with the two shots of Screech that I drank. I bought one just to see what all the fuss was about and Claude threw in the second one for free. He said that two was my limit though…and it’s a good thing. The ladies of the aforementioned dart night didn’t really trust me at first because of my camera (guess they don’t get too many tourists here), but by the end of the night, we were all fast friends. I even met the mayor and got invited to her husband’s 50th birthday party in November. She asked me to stop by her office in the morning because she liked some of the pictures I had taken of the town and wanted to get copies. It seems that she is not just the mayor, but also works at the Coast of Bays Arts & Exploration Centre. I’m definitely feeling fuzzy this morning (thanks Screech) but it is time to move on.
Left St Alban’s and headed north. I did stop by the Centre and got the mayor’s card with her email address to send pictures. She was very nice (and perhaps a bit worse for the late night), gave me a tour and let me watch a short movie on the Coast of Bays. Said my goodbyes and headed on my way. I drove for a while and found that I needed a pit stop, so I took a random exit and ended up in Norris Arm North. It was very pretty, being right on the water and all, but not much there…and no bathroom. Got back on the highway and found that the very next exit was the one I wanted, the one that led to Twillingate. Of course, there were all kinds of places to stop off that exit. Could have saved myself some time and some bladder stress if I had come straight to this exit…but then, I guess I wouldn’t have seen Norris Arm. I used the bathroom at Tim Horton’s and then had lunch there. Gassed up and headed out on the road again. Made a couple of stops for pictures, during one of which I met a nice couple who said not to miss the Twillingate lighthouse. Continued on and finally made it to Twillingate. The town was a typical waterside village…very scenic with a nautical flair. Headed to the lighthouse and was amazed when I got there. It was like the end of the earth…sheer cliffs and then nothing but ocean. I scrambled around on all the trails and took a slew of photos. The sun was out and the weather was gorgeous. I actually needed to shed my jacket due to the warmth. It was a welcome change after cold rain all morning. I stayed in Twillingate for a couple of hours just taking pictures and soaking it in. As the sun sank beautifully below the horizon, I decided it was time for me to move on to my next destination, Salvage (rhymes with rage).
I made it to Gander, about an hour from Salvage, but too tired to go on. Got a room at the Sinbad for the night and will head to Salvage in the morning. So, the Sinbad advertised a business center, which the desk clerk told me was a room with a computer, fax machine, and copier. I went to check my email but found that the computer was gone. The monitor, keyboard, and mouse were all there and the cables were all unplugged and laying on the floor, but no sign of the CPU. Discouraged at this, I went to the bar, but I did not have a drink…not after the extravaganza of ladies dart night last night. Played a little video poker and really cleaned up. I put $20 in and got $48 out…not bad, hunh? Then it was definitely time for bed.
A couple of notes on Canada…or Newfoundland anyway:
1. People walk everywhere. There are always people out walking along the road. I thought maybe they did it in St Alban’s because it is such a small town, but seems to be true everywhere.
2. Bathroom light switches are outside of the bathroom. I have yet to find a light switch in a bathroom. Makes sense I guess, as you never have to walk into a dark room.
3. Housekeeping means efficiency. When I was checking in at the Sinbad, the clerk said all she had was housekeeping. I pictured myself sleeping amidst piles of sheets and towels, but she meant a room with a stove and fridge.
9/13/2007
I slept really well…although I did have some strange dreams. One was a very odd episode of Magnum PI where Higgins ended up in a cage with a woman wearing a blanket. Luckily, I woke up before it got any more bizarre. Now I think it is time to see about breakfast and head to Salvage.
Drove to Salvage and found the hiking trails. I spent several hours going up and down the surrounding hills. I saw some incredible views and captured it all on camera. It was so much fun that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. On the way out of town, I found the beach (Salvage is supposed to be a beach town). I didn’t think it looked like much of a beach, but I took a few pictures and met a nice woman who was enjoying the day reading in the sun. I bade farewell to her and to the beach, and headed toward the town of Trinity.
On the road to Trinity, AOL called me. Seems there was some kind of problem at work. Great! That’s just what I wanted, to talk to work. After struggling to find a signal in the rough hills between Salvage and Trinity, I was able to lend what assistance I could and then continued on to Trinity.
Arrived in Trinity and got a room at one of the B&B’s in town. It was called Bishop White Manor and I was in no less than the Bishop White room itself, which apparently features the bishop’s very own bed. I took a walk around the town to see the sights and found Trinity to be a very quaint, cute little town.
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Unfortunately, it was at that point that I, for some reason I no longer remember, stopped keeping a travel journal. I hope that the few days that I have detailed and the links that I provided have in some way shown what an amazing time I had on this trip...or maybe they have kindled an interest in taking your own trip to Newfoundland. In any case, I hope you enjoyed reading my journal (Lord knows, you must have to make it all the way to here) and may all your journeys be awesome adventures.
