Newfoundland 2015

[browalt]

Need some advice on how early we can cross to Newfoundland. I see some parks open in mid May. Does anyone have experience to say being there then is OK. Slightly worried about this year given all the weather and snow. Looking for advice. Trying to plan a trip from Louisiana in a motorhome with tow. Need to be back home mid July. Thanks for any advice.

[trailerbikecamp]

Don't forget this. The scenery is incredible.

Newfoundland

There is a line in the song Fogo, Twilingate, Morton's Harbour all around the circle. While in Fogo it's only few minutes to Joe Batts Arm in the song below. I or got to mention that the hill behind the Fogo community centre was once considered one of the four corners of the earth. This was when the world was flat, and if you went to far you would fall off. Also at the community field at Joe Batts Arm community field there is an imprint in one of the beaches that is called a witch's footprint.

More music

Also don't forget The Rooms in St. John's. Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. There is also the flight museum in Gander and the Silent Witness Memorial.

Take a weekend and go to Woody Island. This is close to the way Newfoundland used to be before Canada joined Newfoundland in Confederation. Here is a link to there website.

Woody island

[Tracus]

As of January 2015, Newfoundland and Labrador's unemployment is the 2nd highest in Canada (Behind Nunavut) at 11.4%. Although this is a drop from 12.9% in December of 2014, it's still pretty high. (Note! The Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency lists the unadjusted unemployment rate at 13.5%.) However, my point was not to downplay Newfoundland in any way, shape or form, but to give a true sense of my admiration for those who live there.

Chris

[Little_Kopit]

Tracus wrote:

To say the economy of Newfoundland is depressed, is an understatement, but the people are as kind-hearted as they get. If you don't believe me, take a look at what happened to all the passengers stranded in Gander when all trans-Atlantic flights were required to land on 9/11/2001. The dialect may take some getting used to, but it won't take long to get the hang of it.
Chris

Former Premier Danny Williams managed to get a deal with the Canadian Federal government, which makes Newfoundland and Labrador a HAVE province when the price of oil is up. Former co-workers have concerns about provincial budgets this year, but things are not as stated above.

:C

[Tracus]

Quickest way to NFLD is the ferry from North Sydney, NS to Port Aux Basque. The last time I did this it was a night crossing so you arrive early in the morning. Not too bad, but finding a place to sleep on board may be an issue. A few pointers:

1. Just north of Port Aux Basques is Bee Hive Mountain and the Wreck House Pass. There should be a sign warning about high winds. It is not a joke. In 1976, I found myself being pushed across the left hand land and onto the left hand shoulder. I was driving a car and won't imagine the effect of that wind on a high profile RV.

2. Very few people drive at night because of moose. If you look at the moose guards on the front of 18-wheelers, they look like extras from the Road Warrior movies.

3. Until you get to Corner Brook there may not be much in the way of service stations. Because of high fuel costs, fill up before you leave NS.

4. Gross Morne is a fantastic National Park. Take time and do the Western Brook Pond boat tour. It's a fresh water fjord; think of a boat tour through the Yosemite Valley.

5. Further north is L'Anse Aux Meadows and the site of the Viking settlement.

6. Cross the province and spend some time in Saint John's. There is a great campground right inside the city limits, C.A. Pippy RV Park. Head up to the tower where Marconi did his radio transmission. Look down in the harbor where so many convoys headed out for Europe during WWII.

7. From Saint John's you have the option of backtracking to Port Aux Basques or head south and take the longer ferry from Argentia to North Sydney.

Yes, I have a soft spot for Newfoundland. Quaint villages clinging to rocky, seaside cliffs, fishing nets hung to dry on highway guardrails, icebergs off the coast and yes, whale watching. Our favorite tour was from a carpenter who put down his tools, stopped work and took us out in his powered dory to see humpback whales.

To say the economy of Newfoundland is depressed, is an understatement, but the people are as kind-hearted as they get. If you don't believe me, take a look at what happened to all the passengers stranded in Gander when all trans-Atlantic flights were required to land on 9/11/2001. The dialect may take some getting used to, but it won't take long to get the hang of it.

Finally, just about every village and town will have some sort of festival while you're there, but sure you get to attend one.

Best wishes on your sojourn.
Chris

[trailerbikecamp]

The ferry to Port Aux Basques on the south west coast runs all year. Like others have said you can boondock until the parks open in May, usually on May long weekend.

It's recommended that you book the parks, since they fill up quickly. Also book the ferry trip across. The trip to the east side of the island (Argentia) only runs May to Sept and is a 14hr trip. The run to Port Aux Basques is about 8hrs. During the summer tourist season the boats can also be busy.

What do you like to see when travelling? There is lots to see here from history to festivals. There is also fishing, scenic site seeing whale watching.

[VTLee]

We went last year the last two weeks in May and the First two in June. The Grand Codroy RV park is a great place to stay after the ferry ride over. We had some snowy trails in May but it was pretty much gone by June except for the northern peninsula. Check out the Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival at Gros Morne it is usually the third week of May. The icebergs should be arriving about the same time you are. It is a little early for the whales. Newfoundland is superb.

[answerswillvary]

Moved to RVing in Canada

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

Our trip in 2013 we arived early June and deparded mid September. All the RV parks were open but we had difficcult times on the weekend as they are all book up or filled with seasonal campers. We found few pace to boondock as most of the gravel pits we were advised to use are now block and you could not access them. We used Walmarts when we could find them. But out of eight years of fulltiming Newfoundland is one of our best trips right up there with Alaska.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[Little_Kopit]

Having lived in Newfoundland for 24.5 years, left 2008.

Gros Morne National Park has all year cg at Green Point. & one can boondock.

Well remember RobandDi rushing up to the Northern Peninsula May 18 (well, teens anyway) being afraid that the icebergs would melt. (http://www.icebergfinder.com/) Heck that site doesn't track icebergs at all until May 1.

Speaking of ice http://weather.gc.ca/mainmenu/marine_menu_e.html ice reports. You want: Atlantic - all 3, St. Lawrence, Sea Ice--Eastern. Most important I think is ice in the Strait of Belle Isle, that between Labrador and Newfoundland. & pay attention to any kinds of fishing activity at that time of the year. Or, if there is ice in the Strait of Belle Isle the west of Newfoundland will have a cool spring.

& yes, I expect that will happen this year. That's not to say you can't have a good time in such weather. Heck, few if any no-seeums or black flies.

Meanwhile, the trad. Newfoundland view: Buddywasisname, The Gravel Pits

:B

[Tripalot]

One of our trips to Newfoundland was in early June. We were interested in hiking and many of the trails were not open yet because of snow. We were still able to do other things and often the best iceburgs are seen early in the summer.