From the East to the West of Canada, Cape Spear, Saint Johns, Signal Hill

Blown away at Cape Spear

As I said will finish the trip later, and now is later. I'll continue from where I left off a month or so ago on our first day in Saint Johns, at Flat Rock, Newfoundland.

Our 2nd day in Saint Johns we took a look around the city at sights close to Saint Johns. First on our list was Cape Spear. We had heard that Cape Spear was the furthest east we could go in Canada and furthest east in North America, so we had to see what it was like.

Cape Spear is quite away's from the city, and on a winding road. When we got to the parking lot we met a couple that were riding motor cycles, and they asked, BC? as they read our plates, and yep we are. The conversation starts, and they say they want to go west to BC, and when we tell them of our journeys, they say yep, they want to do the same. Interesting how many people want to do as we are doing.

What a day we had, the wind was gusting to 70km's from the west, almost blowing us off this rock, we had a hard time just standing, forget about walking. Construction was taking place for a new, bigger, better place that would be the designated spot to stand and take the picture, so we walked toward the rocks.

Polly and Bosco getting Blown away at Cape Spear

Some of the info about how important Cape Spear is.

We made our way to what looked like the furthest on this point where many others had walked to check it out, and on the way we met a couple from Kelowna, BC. Wow that was cool. As we talked somehow we got talking about where we lived, and where they had been, and the place where our cabin is Canoe Pass, was somewhere they had been, and they knew people there we knew, and Toquart Bay came up, and they had been coming to the island for holidays for many years.... WOW, we were on the other side of Canada, furthest away from the furthest west we could be and meet someone and have a conversation about the other side of the country. This just blew us away, and the wind kept blowing too... We had a short conversation, and I got a picture so we could show people we knew there picture. Was a real surprise to us, and really made us feel like we are all connected, even if on the other side of the continent...

Furthest point east in North America

Couple we met from Kelowna

Wind on the water

Bosco in the winds

Looking out to see as the light keeper would

Polly and I in chairs we have seen all over the east

Round inside of the old lighthouse

Through the lighthouse window to the sea

After the moment, we said our good by's and off we went continuing our look around, we got close to the edge, but was so windy we went back, and up to the light house, and got a good look around up there. Met some more people, some from USA, some from Taiwan, and others, Polly always says I just meet people as I walk out the door. I like people, and is interesting to get to know them. I remember my niece said to me once, "I Know I talk too much, but I like to talk" right out of the blue, and then she went right back talking...
That stuck with me, and I guess I do that too. I do stop and let others talk, and I do listen, and on this trip I have learned much, but never did I think we would learn about Canoe Pass here at Cape Spear.

Kids running all around the parking

As we returned to our truck, there was a bus full of kids about to ascend the hill, good timing to get on with our exploring Saint Johns. We make our way back to the city, and find a place to park where we can leave Bosco in the truck, in a covered parkade. Now we make our way into the heart of the city. We walk down the main street a block off the harbour, and check out the shops, and look for a place for lunch. We find a nice pub Polly had been told of, Yellow Belly Brewery, and settle in for lunch. was center of the down town, and was less windy in town than at the Cape.

What we saw from Water street

After lunch we wandered around the down town, and looked at the old buildings, and store fronts, was an interesting place, much history here. I couldn't help but look at the ships between the buildings, they were huge, and just a block off the down town, this was awesome to see. we walked down, and looked around the main street, and walked back to the truck on the street where the ships were tied up, was hot out now and we wanted to get back to the truck, but the ships did get us to stop and take a look as we passed.

We made our way to the next stop at the Terry Fox Memorial, at the north end of the down town, we parked and took a look, and we didn't know exactly terry foxes foot would have been put in the water, as the area was all fenced now, and nowhere could you get close to the water. Th Memorial was smaller than I had thought it would be, and just not as spectacular. What was there was well done, just hmm, not as we thought it might be. We looked it over good, and spent a little time reading and thinking what he accomplished, was quite a feat, for someone with the big C.

Next was signal hill, which is close to the memorial, just up the hill, but no walking for us, we drove through the detours, as paving was taking place today.

Signal Hill

Saint Johns harbour

Hmmm long way home yet!

Just one of Newfoundlands huge Pot Holes

Signal Hill is at the north side of the mouth of the entrance to Saint Johns Harbour, and a very good harbour it is, big enough for huge ships, and well protected. The wind was still blowing up there, and we got tossed around there too, Bosco was having a time of it in the wind, being pushed around. Quite a view from this vantage point, no wonder it was such an important part of the area. After this last stop we were off to the trailer for a little R&R. Another beauty day learning about this place we live in, Canada.

Our Blog was difficult to keep up.

WOW.... What a trip!

I know I have been lax with the blog posts for quite awhile, but now back to steady reliable internet, and travel will be less now, I will piece the last couple months together as best I can. I apologise to any readers that do not do Facebook, especially Charlie, who has prompted me again, as he wants this next post... Thanks Charlie for the interest that moves me to continue.

As we drove off the Ferry Polly yells "Wahoooo! Back on the Island again!"

We drove along both kinda quiet for awhile, then we started saying how we felt being back, Polly says it felt like a dream, like when we were gone was a dream. She had made this statement a few times during the trip, especially as we got closer to home. I said it felt so different as most all the trip we had the GPS on and were following it. Now no need, it felt kinda lofty to drive with no need for wondering where we would turn next, we know this road well. I felt so cocky driving that nothing could touch us now, driving was a breeze, we were home and it felt good. We talked about how we felt, and a few of the times we had as we drove around the country's. We are closer now than when we left. We learned so much about ourselves, and about each other that we didn't know, and didn't know how to deal with. We both have much respect for each other, as well as love. We have more confidence to make the next jump to where we will go, not sure right now where, but we will go for-sure, all going well in January. We don't always know what the other is thinking, but we often say what the other is thinking, so much so that sometimes we just look at each other and know it...
We completed what we wanted to, and in about the time we planned. Not all went as planned, but we did it, and in life that is something, as many times you plan but never make the first step.

We made it back to the Island Saturday August 12th. Drove to My sister Joy and her husband Dan's house in Qualicum from Duke Point ferry landing. Surprised them with our knock on the door Joy & Dan were so happy to see us, hugs all around. Dan made us coffee, we had a nice visit with them, and a shower (that was so nice) then Joy made us breakfast, Yummy, sure was nice of her. Dan got busy with the fence he was about to build that day, was cool so he wanted to get to it. Joy and Polly went over the maps that Polly has marked the route of where we went all over North America. 33,500 KM to complete our trip from Crofton BC to Port Alberni BC in just over 6 months, February 9th to August 12th. Wow, still hard to believe.

We made our way back toward Port Alberni, as almost all our family lives there, and wanted it to be a surprise. We pulled up over the hump like no problem, and as we came into town we looked forward to some down time without travel. Back to reality kind of, with friends and family around us.

We pull up to Memere's house and Louise Polly's Cousin that lives with Memere, and here daughter Lisa are on there way to the store. Surprise, we will be back they say and we park the trailer, and get inside the house and surprise Memere. She is so Surprised and hugs us and kiss and Polly says she doesn't remember being hugged like that by her Mom. Wow what a good surprise, guess we were missed...

Memere gets a call when we get there.

Louise and Lisa come home and we got hugs there too. First to show was Taylor, our Grand Daughter, she heard we were in town from her Mom as Polly had texted her to say we are here. Hugs from Taylor was nice, yep felt like home now. Catherine called, and we got a talk in. Called Penny and she said Dax was sick, so will see here later this week sometime. Lyn called and would see here and Andrew that night, Polly calls George and her and Dan will come over that night too. Yes and the love goes on as we reacquaint ourselves with our family as the day goes by.

Later as we have the trailer all set in front of Memere's house we go out to dinner just us two, for a quiet dinner by the water at the Starboard Grill at Harbour Quay. Was cool out now, as the weather had changed, rain was coming, and we walked in and was quiet now, we beat the rush. We got a table by the window, looking at the water, and all the boats coming back from down the canal. Was a nice dinner, and we talked about what was next, as that was what Catherine said to us on the phone. We knew we would go south again just not sure where exactly, as that plan was not made yet, we just know will be a little slower this time, and stay in places a little lon-ger this time. Dinner was good, and conversation was better, but the desert was best. The chef tries a different special every couple weeks we are told, and this week was Lemon-Raspberry Meringue pie. Wow was it ever good, brought a big piece home for Memere, Louise and Lisa to try.

Polly and Lemon Raspberry Meringue pie mmmm

As we came into the house we see our oldest grand daughter, Shayla and her boyfriend Casey on the couch waiting for us...  Hugs again...
Was that ever nice to see them, we felt special when people take the time to come out and say Hi after we had been gone for awhile. We talked and told them of our trip, and what we saw and where we went. Later Dan and George came, and Lyn and Andrew, more hugs, and more talk about our journey.  Plans are made for dinner tomorrow night and Lisa will make a Philippine dinner, nice.

First day back and we felt welcomed, with trailer in place for awhile, wash it tomorrow, Polly will do the wash, we will have some cleanup done and meet with friends Claudette and Americo to get our mail, and Hugs again. Life is good here on our Vancouver Island, and Port Alberni will always be our home.

Trailer and truck all washed up

Friends gather for a beer, and a yak. Oh and mail delivery, Thanks C & A Pavan

Life is good here on the Island.... Loving this life!