Western Brook Wonders

Western Brook is the name given to a magnificent fiord like body of water in Gros Morne National Park.  It is a tourist must do while visiting Gros Morne.  Occasionally they have to cancel the trip due to poor weather; however the forecast seemed encouraging and  two boats were fully loaded and ready for spectacular scenery and photographic opportunities.

Soon after leaving  the dock we realized that our day might not  be splendid sunshine and fine photos.  That being said it is always interesting to get dramatic photos when the weather is changing.

The further in to the journey and the darker the skies became.

This photo shows the other boat that was following us.  It gives you a better idea of how large these cliffs  really are.

Gratefully being sailors we had prepared for wet and cold weather....including long undies which were gratefully appreciated by the time the trip was over.

Once again you can see the sheer size of this body of water and its surrounding rock.

In between the showers we were able to see some other colours than gray.

By the time our boat was on its way back to the dock everyone was huddled and desperately trying to stay warm and as dry as they possibly could.  Unfortunately the boat had limited shelter so the hardy stayed above decks and saw what Western Brook looked like in sleet, fog and driving rain.
Once back in eLVie we found just what we needed to thaw us out....hot chocolate and a wee shot of rum.

eLVie's Gets A Tow

This is what happens when your eyes are on ice bergs and not on the road.  We learned that Newfoundlanders will try just about anything to help a person out.  This fellow actuallly thought he could pull eLVvie out of the ditch with his four wheeler.  eLVie moved but not enough.  Just when we thought it was time to call Good Sam along came another willing Newfoundlander and this time with a big truck.

This time eLVie made it to the road just as the tow rope broke.  We were very grateful for the help and eLVie was no worse for wear.

This is the siren ice berg that had lured us off the road and subsequently in to the ditch!!??

The Vikings were the first people to arrive in Newfoundland about 1000 years ago.  L'Anse Aux Meadows is a World Heritage Site and is situated north of St. Anthony at the northernmost part of the province.

I can't imagine crossing an ice filled ocean in a boat like this?  It is thought that the Vikings sailed down from Iceland looking for new lands.   

Some of our boon docking stops along the north west coast.

The Provincial and National Campgrounds that we stayed in were all but empty and we could have our pick of ocean view sites.

These formations were called thrombolites and were living creatures millions of years ago.