Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Canada, Gros Morne National Park, 8/13 & 14/12

Canada, Gros Morne National Park, 8/13 & 14/12: On the Road Again Monday Aug. 13. Happy birthday wishes to our dear daughter-in-law, Yvonne. Best wishes for many, many more.


It was rainy and foggy. We stopped at Gros Morne National Park Visitor Center to get excellent advice of what to see.


After getting our campsite and lunch we toured Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. It wasn't this sunny. Someone gave the guide the photo.


The tour guide Is holding a dried cod. Europeans desire for cod brought settlers to the area. John Cartier landed at eastern Newfoundland in 1534.


Though it's raining the scenery is huge and majestic....huge forests, mountains, waterfalls, bays, lakes and so much more.


The road down to Green Point. We went on an exceptional fossil hike led by an outstanding guide. This is an UNESCO site. Fossils here are 30 million years old. If you were to stretch your arms out (make a "t") one finger tip is the beginning of the earth, wrist of the other hand is time of these rocks. Dinosaur time where a ring would be on a finger. Our time, fingernail!


Photo in the visitor center of the walk we went on. The walk is at low tide.


(Again visiter center photo) We walked along the shore next into the wall of rocks. AND climbed part way up near the Bay to look for fossils. Afterwards we were amazed what conditions we hiked through. On the rocks near the Bay it was rainy and very, very gusty. But we were so enticed by the leader and so glad we did it.

We are staying at Gros Morne RV/Campground in Rocky Harbour. Gravel lot but it's been so rainy, don't want mud. Nice showers and laundry so we could wash and dry our drenched jeans. Wore our rain ponchos but we didn't wear rain pants. Fantastic day traveling with Dick & Barbara, Tom & Linda and Denny & Sharon.

On the Road Again Tuesday Aug. 14


Tablelands ranger led hike.


The soil has iron, magnesium, chromium, manganese, nickel and other minerals. The minerals make the soil poisonous so very little grows here.


A little moss plant grows in a mound. Keeps its decaying leaves to grow on. As we hiked to a higher elevation growing conditions were even harsher.


But because there was a stream, pitcher plants were growing.


We took samples of what was in the "pitcher."


Interesting what was floating in the "pitcher." Bug poop. Google pitcher plant and learn the real story of how they process food.


It was an amazing and educational 2 1/2 hour hike.


The walk back only took 1/2 hour. It was misty part of the time, but no rain.


Visited the Discovery Centre.


See these signs along the road. Haven't seen a moose and when we do hope it's not too close to our RV.


Hiked in the woods with Tom and Linda.


Thick vegetation.


Southeast Brook Falls was spectacular.


But 200 meters past these falls we could see mist. There must be another falls that is even falling deeper because it is creating a strong mist.


Mushrooms growing on a moss covered decaying log.


Talked to a Quebec guy who was eating these berries. He said the name of the berries in French. Don't know the name in English, nor could spell it in French. Do you know what they are?


Gros Morne mountain. Big, flat sad mountain is what today's nature hike leader told us it means. (Could be referring to he fog that is often around it.) Another meaning is large mountain standing alone.

We 4 musketeers couples, as I call us, walked to a local bar for supper to have fish and chips....Newfoundland fish! It was very fresh, delicate and yummy. Also enjoyed 4 pitchers of beer....there are 8 of us!
Location:Gros Morne National Park, NFLD

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