Arrived in Fortune July 31st

Today we left St. John's and drove down onto the Burin Peninsula which is between Fortune Bay and Placentia Bay. We followed highway 210 down to the town of Fortune on the west coast. Highways 210 and 220 form a touring loop known as the Heritage Run. We managed to see a few things on the section we drove today.

Below is shot near Sandy Harbour River at an interpretive view park containing many boulders which were left behind from the ice age when the glaciers began to melt.

Susan is beside one looking at the Inuksuk on top.

There were lots of wild flowers everywhere we went, many that I hadn't seen before.

Just past Boat Harbour we stopped to see this old fisherman's house at a place called Livyers Lot.

Then we went to this building next door for lunch. We all had a bowl of chicken soup made with salt beef. It was tasty enough but neither tantalizing nor terrifying to the taste buds. It was comfort food and most welcome on this foggy, rainy day.

This is a view in the dining room of the tea house. This was also an old house which has been restored.

There was a nice view from the dining room window but the window was pretty also.

These are the seed cones on an Elder bush. They grow everywhere here and the moose are said to like them. The leaf we crushed smelled fresh and didn't have a bitter taste and the seed cone was crunchy and tasted a bit like a crab apple although not as tart.

We arrived at Fortune mid-afternoon and located the ferry office where we picked up our tickets for tomorrow. Then we went to our suite which happens to be the entire top floor of the red building below. We are near the waterfront but don't have much of a view because the fish plant runs along the shore in front.

Nearby was this Interpretation Center which focused on fossils and rock from the area.

One of the boats in dry dock.

Another boat which appeared to have gotten a new back end.

Walking out behind the marine buildings we came to Horse Brook Trail, a nature trail with tons of wild flowers.

We walked to the other end on a trail beside a marshy area near the waters edge.

It was quite foggy but beautiful.

We saw great patches of wild roses in bloom.

Also other interesting and beautiful flowers.

Joanne and Susan on the path.

We had supper in the little tea house which is conveniently right beside our B & B, and then went to visit the George and Mary Lake Heritage House.

It had been restored back to its original state without power or water.

It was a lovely day in spite of the rain and now we are preparing for the trip to St Pierre tomorrow.

St John's July 30

We went out to Cape Spear this morning as soon as the sun decided to poke through. It is only a 20 minuit drive from St John's. We wern't there very long and the fog rolled in again but there was no rain and the sun came and went all day.

Cape Spear is the most easterly point in North America. There were an unusual number of whales in the Harbour and Joanne spent her time watching them splash and blow.

Susan and I went shopping and looked around the site. I picked up the Sou'wester I had been wanting every time I ran across one.

This is a working lighthouse. The old one was open for tours.

From Cape Spear we headed off to find Quidi (say "kitty") Vidi on the other side of St John's. We took a side trip and caught this view it from across the narrows. Then we continued on up to Fort Amherst on the point.

Near Quidi Vidi was this grouping of buildings between the hills but still on ocean water.

A view of St John's from across the narrows.

Another view.

Heading up to Fort Amherst, across the narrows from St John's.

Joanne in front of the Fort Amherst lighthouse.

Looking down on Fort Amherst from Signal Hill on the other side of the narrows.

Looking at Cabot Tower on Signal Hill from across the narrows at Fort Amherst.

Cabot Tower up close. You can walk through it and visit a gift store in the bottom.

The sea gull didn't seem to mind me sharing his rock.

Driving along the other side of the harbour we came upon another boat Joanne recognized from the north. This one is in dry dock.

Last stop of the day was at the Geo centre but we were too late to visit it. We saw some stuff in the gift shop and a rock display outside. I think it would have been interesting.

Here Joanne is peeking through an opening in a cement wall.

We were driving home on Duckworth Street when Joanne spied a restaurant down this tiny street.

The Duke of Duckworth is well known for good bar grub so we decided to have supper here.

Tonight we pack up and prepare to head to Fortune tomorrow.

St. Johns July 29

Well, apparently we made it to St. Johns last night. I just stopped the last post rather suddenly and I can only blame these two girls for creating too many distractions.

Today we decided to hit the downtown because it was foggy and drizzly. Although we have Joanne's van we took a cab to avoid having to park and started walking along the harbour.

Joanne was surprised to see a boat she recognised from Iqualuit. She worked for Fisheries and Oceans Canada up there and was responsible for getting this boat its fishing licence in the past.

That is the courthouse at the end of the street.

There are a few street scenes that are typical of the style here. They are painted in lively jelly bean colors and look perky even on a grey day.

A nice apartment building.

This is the old Masonic temple.

The Masonic emblem on the gate.

The Anglican Cathedral of John the Baptist.

It is a beautiful church.

Rear view.

Inside the cathedral.

Flower of the day.

Well, that was a fun day. We managed to include some shopping also. Now we are hoping to get some sun tomorrow so we can go see some tourist sights.