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We continue to dodge rain but are so enjoying the ride. Long stretches of barren forest, mountains, and rivers. Oh and lots of black flies! We’ve been riding on the Transcan Highway with some good long hills but with reasonable grades and a wonderful tailwind.
We left the Transcan and started on 430 North, the Viking Trail just after Deer Lake and had our first bout of headwind. Stopped at a Tim Horton’s and met our first bike tourist in NF. A young Italian living in Toronto and heading for St John’s. He’s been on the road for 8 weeks and had a lot of the cold snowy weather we missed. He’s ready to get home!
And just on the 430 we had to stop at the Insectarium! What a great place! A display of developing chrysalises and emergent butterflies and a butterfly pavilion. They had a room with insects and butterflies from NF and around the world. Some live displays with a chance to hold the more docile and flightless insects. And of course on the third floor a number of Tarantulas! But after the diversion it was time to press on. With the late start, the insectarium,
and a stop at a hardware store for duct tape, (just starting a longish trip and my shoe decides to begin disintegration) we stopped early in the tiny settlement of Wiltondale. A comfortable cabin and our first time having Capelin. Not my favorite fish, but OK.
A beautiful morning of sun and clouds and developing cirrus. This would be our entry day into Gross Morne National Park. We were stealing our selves for a hard day after the locals had warned us that road is called ‘the struggle’! A strong cup of coffee and we started into it. No tail wind now, just up. It was hard, and it was long, but maybe after our climbs in Norway, not the beating we expected. Very Nice campgraound in the Park at Rocky Harbor. We made it a short day and settled in while we watched the cloud cover thicken. The weather report was mixed for the next day and we wondered if we should plan on a second day at the campground. The next morning we were awakened at about 6 am by heavy rain, bright flashes of lightning, and booming thunder. The stormed passed and all was quiet by
8. Hmmm, we breakfasted and watched the sky. Bright behind us, dark in front. What to do, we ride of course! Picked up some last minute groceries and off we went. A classic day!!! The cloud descended and it began to drizzle. But a beautiful ride as we left the mountains and rode along the coast. Almost flat and with that wonderful tailwind, the cold and wet was almost bearable. About the time we started to flag we saw a sign for a cafe. A tiny place on an isolated stretch of coast. After a break we headed back out. At first the rain almost stopped but then it started picking up and the trucks were sending up quite a spray. Once again luck was with us and we pulled into Cow Head village and the Shallow Bay Motel and Cabins. A very busy place but we managed to get a room! So nice to get a hot shower, do laundry, and not be fighting black flies!
We’re 2 or 3 days from St Barbe and the ferry to Labrador, but the weather continues mixed. At least we’re not having trouble finding groceries and places to camp or stay,
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Jessica
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Sounds like a great trip! Love the moose sign. Love you, jess