Sunday, August 7, 2016, Rocky Harbor, NL (Gros Morne National Park)
Day 71

Continued the southward trek and stopped at Arches Provincial Park, the parking lot of which was a loop and just big enough for the coach. The natural rock archways created by the tidal action are amazing. With the rough waves smacking them it is a wonder they are still standing. We continued on and checked into Gros Morne RV Campground located in Rocky Harbour, one of the 5 “captured communities” within the Gros Morne National Park. A sunny and summerlike day brought out the shorts for the first time since St. John’s We hiked the coastal trail and the wind was really blowing. We next hiked the Berry Hill Head Pond trail before driving around Norris Point and Rocky Harbour. Dinner was at Fisherman’s Landing Restaurant where I had another moose dinner. Rosemary had cod. The food was very good. Moose is similar to beef but leaner. I am starting to understand why we haven’t seen but one moose in the wild this trip, this even after visiting Roddickton, the self-proclaimed “Moose Capital of the World”. They are all being eaten! After all, this was the intended purpose for introducing moose to Newfoundland. It started with a pair of moose in 1878 and 2 more pairs in 1884. Now they supposedly number over 100,000 and are damaging the forest where they eat the bark off the trees.

Saturday, August 6, 2016, A paved pullout along Highway 430 near Daniel’s Harbour, NL
Day 70

After the long day in Labrador yesterday, we got a late start, departing St. Barbe about 1:00 p.m. Thus, beginning our southward trek towards home for the first time. Visited the Torrent River Nature Park in Hawke’s Bay and walked the boardwalk along the river for 4 km each way. Nice walk but did not see any wildlife. Continued to a pullout just south of Daniel’s Harbour where we stopped for the night. The view from the coach was the mountains to the east and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the west. We were close enough to hear the waves crashing on the shore. A beautiful, quiet spot and the price was right - free! After dinner we walked the Bill Woods Hiking Trail, a 5400 foot boardwalk through boggy wetlands to a very large “pond” surrounded by the Long Mountain Range. We ended the walk in our ponchos as it was a dark, windy and rainy night.