Day 71 Travel St. John’s to Terra Nova National Park

July 29

Travel St. John’s to Terra Nova National Park

Beautiful sunny day, very cool but the shorts are on.  On the highway leaving St. John’s I looked for the people selling their Bakeapple jam but no one was on the side of the road where they were on the way into the city.  We drove through Clarenville up to the Bonavista Peninsula.  Hwy 230A very scenic along the bay.

Hwy 230A Outside of Clarenville

 On the way to Bonavista we detoured slightly to Trinity.  A beautiful little fishing village that was first founded by a Portuguese explorer in 1501 and later claimed in 1583 for England.  Pirates often raided the town in the early 1700’s so to defend themselves the settlers built fortifications remains of which can still be seen along the coast.  St. Paul’s church built in 1892 is an attraction and the town seems to be getting a white wash.  Repairs and painting is going on all around town.  We spotted a store, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate Shop!  Very good.  On the pier we saw some very big jelly fish about 6 feet long with beautiful pink and purple colours.



Trinity

Pulling the RV’s into Trinity was a little scary when the road got narrow but a bus came out so we knew we would be able to get out.  The bay outside of Trinity was full of floats but we weren’t sure what they were for.  Back on the road again we came around a corner and over looking Port Rexton, a little community with a rocky island jutting out into the bay.  Just down the road is Port Union, the only union built town in N America.  We stopped in Eliston to see the Puffins but Eliston is known for their root cellars.  Before electricity root cellars were used to keep food from spoiling in the summer and freezing in the winter.  There are over 100 still in working condition around the hillsides.

Root cellars 

Puffins

 At the end of the road is Bonavist with its famous lighthouse where John Cabot landed in 1497.  The historic Cape Bonavista Lighthouse was built in 1843 and has been restored as it was in the 1870’s.   Another amazing sight when you come around the corner over looking Bonavista.  I would say if you do one out of the way route this would be the one to do.  On the island on the rocks behind the lighthouse were more puffins with their babies growing up and no pesky seagulls trying to get them.

We spent the night in Terra Nova National Park in the Newman Sound campground.  Only 65 sites out of 237 have electricity so of course they are the first ones taken.  Nice campground with trails down to ocean beach.  Would be a nice place to stay longer and explore.

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 493 km 
Weather:  Sunshine with clouds; High: 24 degrees; Lo: 11 degrees
Diesel Price:  139.7
Wildlife:  lots of Puffins and their little ones
Campsite:  Newman Sound in Terra Nova Natl Park - $18.60/night no services
Walking:  7 km