(Note: there were 2 posts earlier this week. Check them out, one is really for the birds...)
After going ga-ga for the gannets we took the (always pot-holed, rough, and mostly bad) roads towards St. John's. One stop was Carbonear, a typical outport town that has seen better times. That's our motel between the masts. But the airstrip here is famous for both Amelia Earhart's takeoff solo across the Atlantic, and Charles Lindbergh landing here reconnoitering his famous flight. Also along the way was Brigus, the home of Robert Bartlett's heroic attempts to reach the North Pole. We stayed in this historic B&B in 1998 but the village is now overrun and overpriced.
The highway saltwater scenery is continuous and serene. Ironically, the first stop arriving in St. John's is fresh water lake Quidi Vidi. Quite a contrast to see rowers powering by the prison. As usual, history is thick here --- including a U.S. WWII base and early curling on the winter ice.
At the waterfront is a poignant tribute to Canadian hero/icon Terry Fox. In 1985 he dipped his artificial leg in the sea and began the Marathon of Hope, running/hopping a marathon a day to raise millions for cancer research. He inspires still. But we couldn't dip our toe in tribute --- the cove where it all started quietly is now wharfed and fenced. Couldn't there be a little bowl of ocean??
Then up to Signal Hill, the dominating lookout over the city. Panoramic views of a working Atlantic harbour. History galore, such as Marconi's first trans-Atlantic radio reception. And lots of pageantry recalling the battles for this controlling site. Re-enactors portray the formal military strategy of the time.
It's a must to have fi 'n chi ("fish and chips" to the locals) amid the pubs and bars of George Street, which we did the first night. But returning last night the street was closed off and priced off, supposedly for pre-Canada Day party. Rip-off. So back up to signal Hill for a sunset selfie. Good idea, because this morning's sunrise event (5:07 am) was called off due to rain. We're in our room at the dorm of Memorial University (find Pat in the overhead walkway) waiting for tonight's celebration.
But most of all, today is CANADA DAY. It happens to be 150 years since Confederation, but every day is special. I kiss the ground --- so fortunate to be in this blessed, welcoming, embracing, impossibly wonderful country. HAPPY CANADA DAY!
After going ga-ga for the gannets we took the (always pot-holed, rough, and mostly bad) roads towards St. John's. One stop was Carbonear, a typical outport town that has seen better times. That's our motel between the masts. But the airstrip here is famous for both Amelia Earhart's takeoff solo across the Atlantic, and Charles Lindbergh landing here reconnoitering his famous flight. Also along the way was Brigus, the home of Robert Bartlett's heroic attempts to reach the North Pole. We stayed in this historic B&B in 1998 but the village is now overrun and overpriced.
The highway saltwater scenery is continuous and serene. Ironically, the first stop arriving in St. John's is fresh water lake Quidi Vidi. Quite a contrast to see rowers powering by the prison. As usual, history is thick here --- including a U.S. WWII base and early curling on the winter ice.
At the waterfront is a poignant tribute to Canadian hero/icon Terry Fox. In 1985 he dipped his artificial leg in the sea and began the Marathon of Hope, running/hopping a marathon a day to raise millions for cancer research. He inspires still. But we couldn't dip our toe in tribute --- the cove where it all started quietly is now wharfed and fenced. Couldn't there be a little bowl of ocean??
Then up to Signal Hill, the dominating lookout over the city. Panoramic views of a working Atlantic harbour. History galore, such as Marconi's first trans-Atlantic radio reception. And lots of pageantry recalling the battles for this controlling site. Re-enactors portray the formal military strategy of the time.
It's a must to have fi 'n chi ("fish and chips" to the locals) amid the pubs and bars of George Street, which we did the first night. But returning last night the street was closed off and priced off, supposedly for pre-Canada Day party. Rip-off. So back up to signal Hill for a sunset selfie. Good idea, because this morning's sunrise event (5:07 am) was called off due to rain. We're in our room at the dorm of Memorial University (find Pat in the overhead walkway) waiting for tonight's celebration.
But most of all, today is CANADA DAY. It happens to be 150 years since Confederation, but every day is special. I kiss the ground --- so fortunate to be in this blessed, welcoming, embracing, impossibly wonderful country. HAPPY CANADA DAY!
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