Captain America Archive Set

Travel Newfoundland: Avalon Peninsula

Sunday July 20, 2003

Our destination today was Terra Nova National Park on the east coast of Newfoundland. We very surprised by the fees are: $ 5.00 per day per adult for the use of an additional $ 21.00 per day for camping with no amenities (electricity was $ 5.00 per night extra). The area boasts tree forests reach the sea. There are many hiking trails, most between four and ten miles long.

We went to the center interpretation of the navy. The ranger explains the different aquatic animals that have ringing in your tank: stars, scallops, crabs several barnacles, etc. It was very informative. They also have fish ponds on site are: caplain cod, etc.

Monday, July 21, 2003

Led to some of the tracks today to see the fauna and the landscape, what Newfoundland has to offer. We saw three torches, a gull, a Whisky Jack (Gray Jay), and squirrels, which are not indigenous to Newfoundland. We saw moose tracks and droppings and footprints of bears, but no moose or bear yet.

After a day of walking, was early to bed.

Tuesday July 22, 2003

Drove to St. Johns, the capital of Newfoundland. We parked at Pitty Park in St. Johns. This is located next to Memorial University.

Until 1948 Newfoundland was an independent country. On July 22, 1948, voted to become part of Canada. The first vote was evasive. After some negotiations with the Canadian government and the necessary concessions, the people voted for confederation by a narrow margin. Many Newfoundlanders, even today, many who never wished confederation happened. The other options they had was to become a member of the U.S. or remain independent.

Drove to La Manche (French for manga) Provincial Park. We were placed in the overflow section, which is perfect for us because the area is open. There is no electricity or water, except for boiling available in any of the provincial parks. So we are happy to pay $ 13.00 Canadian per night. We're spitting distance of the lake that has water temperature water bath. There are hiking trails. One leads to a picturesque falls where swimming is allowed but not recommended. Another leads to the ruins the City of La Mancha. After Confederation in 1949, the city's residents had the opportunity of resettlement to a larger city, because it was too expensive to maintain roads and provide other services such as electricity. Most refused. After a major storm hit the area in the 1960s, the city had been wiped out and so people were resettled in any way. Only the foundations of buildings remain today of this once prosperous fishing village. Similar stories crop exist for many of the fishing villages on the island. When the fish died of dredging, the life expectancy of Newfoundland fisherman was also terminal. Many have chosen to abandon the old paths, which originally had brought their families to this island much, and moved to larger cities to find work less significant.

Friday, 25 July 2003

Today we were going to go whale watching. We found that Gatheralls in Bay Bulls charged $ 50.00 per person, but someone recommended or Seabird Ocean Adventure Tours Bauline east, near Park, for just $ 20.00 per person for a trip of an hour. We decided to check them top and see what they offered. We met Jerry, the owner operator of Seabird, who had just returned from a trip to the Big Island, the Sanctuary Puffin. He said he had seen about six whales Humpback out on the salt. The moment you left our little group of four had increased to more than twenty people. There was plenty of space on board for everyone. Three islands make up Witless Bay Ecological Reserve: Big, Green and Gull. Great is the largest and only puts off the coast Bauline East. The first bird said was the Northern Fulmar, a rarity Because there are only twenty pairs on the island. Then there were the puffins just skimming the water, wings beating almost as fast as hummingbirds, their beaks contrasting colored with the bodies of blacks and whites. Also in abundance were swallows, or in Murrs Newfoundlander and black-legged Kittiwakes, lower gull family member, who dipped their wing tips in bottles of India ink. No more birds. Off to larger prey.

Everyone on the boat was scanning the horizon as we drove to the sea. Finally someone shouted, "Thar blowing, starboard." Off on the persecution we were there and it was our first humpback whale, complete with a dip with a wave of her tail fin. All in all, we have seen about a dozen whales. The number could have been more or less. It is very difficult to identify them unless you take pictures. We have a couple of worms, which generally have identifying marks. Some of the whales were vocalizing same for us. All aboard acted as David eight years old, full of enthusiasm and reverence for these magnificent people. Sometimes they were within five meters of the whale. Somehow I think they were having so much fun as we were, like the dolphins in Charleston, SC Harbor. Our trip to sea was more an hour long and had not even begun to return to Big Island or to the pier.

We went back to the leeward side of the island and saw the nesting places of Kittlwakes with adults and babies. We passed many caves, a skull cave named because it looked like a, and natural arches carved into the rock by water and wind. The trip lasted almost two hours. Everyone has the value of their money, and some.

After a quick sandwich, we left to drive twenty minutes to Ferryland. We wanted to see the Avalon Colony and other sights interesting there. We would like to return to the Shamrock Festival Ferryland tomorrow. When we arrived, they were still building the site. Colony of Avalon is there too. We joined a guided tour, which had just begun, outside the visitor center. Jennifer Carter was our guide. If she does not know the answer to our questions, she was in constant communication with someone who did.

Colony of Avalon is an active archaeological site of a community of four hectares, most founded by George Calvert, aka Lord Baltimore in 1621. Situated on the banks of a protected natural harbor, the colony prospered throughout the 17th century, cod fishing is the primary sector. Thousands of artifacts were found at the site, some dating back even to the tribes Beotuck and 16th-century Basque, Portuguese, French and English fishermen in season. The colony Avalon, however, had paved streets, sewer washed twice daily by the tide, forges, wells, deposits with the port gates, fences, a manor house, plus many other buildings. The excavations are still ongoing, with new artifacts found daily. The day we were there, they found part of a crystal goblet and a gold medal.

Lord Baltimore left the settlement of Sir David Kirke and went on to found the colony of Maryland. Kirke is did so well in building the colony, he was put on trial and convicted in England, probably to divert funds that should have gone to the crown. His wife took for twenty-five years. Most people never heard of this thriving settlement that predates Plymouth Rock. St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and Jamestown in 1607.

Sunday, July 27, 2003

Went on a trail to the ruins of the city of La Mancha. The town was started in 1840 and built on the slope of a steep hill, at least fifty feet above the coastline. Life had to be very difficult because everything was up and down the steep incline. Despite being nearly a mile of road closer, the city prospered. When confederation with Canada took place in 1949, the government wanted to change the city to be given good service. They refused. But his decision was reversed when a storm destroyed the city. Had to be a bit of a storm, because the city was so high from the water's edge. All What remains are the foundations, some with basements, the cables of a suspension bridge that crosses the river and the house of a doctor in ruins across the river and up the hill.

We saw a humpback whale frolicking in the bay. On returning home I met a spearhead of ancient stone and gave it to Jordan, a ten year old who was taking Walk with us. Tanya Herlidan was our naturalist guide. Later, she brought to our trailer pictures of the city, as it had been.

Monday July 28, 2003

'Tis a pretty cool day Irish tour with Irish Loop: cloudy, rainy and windy. Our first stop was to the Ferryland Historical Museum. We wanted hear about the German burials of the Second World War. Young people who were at the museum knew nothing about it but had heard stories of U-boats in the area. We had been informed that the Germans brought the body of dirt and bags of local citizens had the service for them and then buried them in their cemeteries. We were told that it was possible because of the loneliness of the lighthouse site, currently shrouded in fog, it would be a good place to dump the bodies. They could not confirm the story, however. We ask that the old cemetery was located. Found it. As you can see in the picture, was completely neglected, many of the headstones were broken and unreadable. If the story is truth or legend, it is still a great story.

Drove by Renova, where the Mayflower stopped for refueling, while en route to Plymouth Rock. Then, out of Portugal Cove South. The landscape was very open at this point, a great place to see the caribou herds, which number in the thousands. Came to visitor center in Portugal Cove South in the fog. We were told by the girls at the center of the fog had lifted and was completely out nice. For last week, they could not see across the road. Portugal Cove South has 158 days of fog per year, which is almost ½ the time. When asked why they were so blessed, said it was because of the confluence of the Labrador, Gulf of Mexico and St. Lawrence Brooks. At the visitor center are exhibits on the Titanic and fossils. The lighthouse at Cape Race men were the first to hear the SOS of the ill-fated Titanic in 1912. The wireless and the old house was demolished by a new in a few years later. Thus, some historical artifacts lay buried. Along the road to Cape Point Race is wrong, a treasure trove of fossils 575 million years old. Because the area of the cod industry was destroyed, local citizens become self-appointed guardians of offering tours and amazing fossil hunters. Today was not a good day for viewing them, because they turn into a slip and slide in the North Atlantic. When I asked the girls what was available in the area to keep them here, they said, "Nothing." Both were students at St. John's degree in Social Work and Physiotherapy and was home only for the summer.

Off to Trepassey us drive. Trepassey was the takeoff point for the transatlantic voyage of Amelia Earhart in 1928. We were in a rain storm. We take refuge in a restaurant, lunch and saw the storm. Outside of St. Shotts to see some reindeer. They were all hidden behind the fog. We saw caribou zero in my journey. We were told that the numbers have been drastically reduced due to illness. There are very few left on the Avalon Peninsula.

We followed to the west side of Irish lace. The shroud Brigadoon raised to reveal a beautiful Kelly green landscape with small farms that dot the hillsides. We broke into song, glad to seventy miles remaining Irish circuit.

Tuesday July 29, 2003

I went to Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North American continent. Although Newfoundland is an island is still considered part of the North American continent. As Cap Nord, Norway, also point an island, is considered the most northerly in Europe. In addition to a lighthouse 1835, one of the oldest in Newfoundland, the cover also the placement of battlements erected by the U.S. and Canadian Army during the Second World War to protect corridors of St. John the navigation of submarines Nazis. Although we have not seen minke whales breaking the surface. They were too far away to take pictures. Despite It was exciting.

Returned to the city and crossed the city. We stopped for ice cream at Moo Moo, a favorite spot for their 88 flavors of hard packed ice cream. After the cones went to the Basilica of St. John's, where the diocese keeps its files. We were told by the historian there that most of the clan settled in communities Pelley Anglican. St. John was the closest port to Ireland. St. John, they traveled to Halifax and then to Boston. Many Irish Catholics came and settled in the city because the Catholic Church Protestant Church was not well established in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The research has been done is being cataloged. I will send more information to those who are interested in their genealogy.

Tuesday, August 5, 2003

Today we drive to the coast Killick. The Killick is an anchor made of stones along closed wooden sticks tied at the top flexible and cross at the bottom to dig the deep sea.

Along the path are towns with names such as Torbay, where the English landed to St. John's return from the French.

Later, Flat Rock, where the cod was placed on the flat rocks to dry. Pope John Paul II was there to bless the fleet. It is also home to a replica of the Lourdes Grotto, which is visited by many pilgrims.

More is the stock market (pronounced Pooch) Bay, founded before 1611, which was the first time documented. Although permanent houses were taxed by the Crown in the 17th and 18th centuries or the Royal Navy or pirates dared to enter the dangerous waters of the harbor. Thus, the city prospered.

Then took a track to side of San Francisco Point, across a gravel road with just enough space to pass. At the end of the road is a helipad and a beacon of light to warn mariners rocks. To the north of the peninsula and are Baccalieu Baccalieu. The view is breathtaking.

The Sierra Club also must think so too, because I found a group walkers touring the East Coast Trail at lunch on the pillow.

Finally, the trail is Portugal Cove, the ferry boat terminal from Bell Island. Bell Island is known for its iron mines that go under the sea. During WWII, the German government hired local boat captain to man its U-boats, because they were familiar with the waters of the region. Newfoundland, at the time was an independent country. One of the ferries recently had a collision with a Russian trawler in waters restricted, putting it out of committee. The government does not know whether to prosecute or reward, the captain of the ferry. We lunched on the beach at Bay Café, part of a B & B with the same name. The fries were excellent, a large tray of thick slices.

Depart Cape Coast to the loop, which includes Placentia, the original French Capital. We took the overland route across a gravel road. The Fradshams have a summer house on this road, called Misty Mountain. Nobody was home. So he left a note. The road passes by the foot cataract that cut a gorge through the hills of sixty, a pretty sight. We parked on the beach where the Placentia Regatta takes place in July, a part of the Triple Crown of Newfoundland.

We visited the city of Placentia awarded in 1662 to protect French interests in North America. Castle Hill, overlooking for the city is a national historic site. It successfully protected the city from invasion, but not the blockade. The terrain was not conducive to agriculture and factions slowly rivals condemned the colony. The French then built forts Louisbourg, NS, Placentia leave for Britain.

Also in Placentia other archaeological excavations going on at the base of the port. The excavation is being done in Fort Louis, a military outpost, and Fort Frederick, in all inlet port. The first can be played and you can see the work process. The latter is less accessible, but a better quality of artifacts is being discovered there. They can be seen at the treatment center archaeological city.

Depart Santa Maria for the Ecological Reserve, which is strictly for the birds: geese,

On the return trip to Placentia stopped at various towns along the route. First it was St. Brides, whose population doubled in 1941 when the Americans established a basis of listening to German ships in the area. More than 400 soldiers were for the war. They were able to transmit messages to the U.S. naval base in Argentia thirty miles to military medical personnel North.The also took care of the residents since their was no other medical care available to them.

Then stopped at Gooseberry Cove, a small cove with a sandy beach blackened. It was very quiet, watching the tide comes in the sand. Sand is rare in Newfoundland, since most of the beaches are rocky. Some rocks scattered along the beach, but most had been pulverized into sand by the action of currents.

Our next stop was Ship Cove, which had a man made stone wall. On breakwater erected Cairns people. I added to my collection. Meanwhile, Maggie Wood collected wind to work on his sculpture.

Top of Placentia and a stop at the archaeological site. They had just found a silver coin, a little smaller than a dime, with a cross inscribed in one of sides. The opposite side is more difficult to read. She also shows us a copper coin, recently found with three fleur d'laws on one side.

Outside the house O'Reilly built around the turn of the century to the local magistrate. It was renovated with donated items. The house also includes exhibits on the resettlement many communities in Placentia Bay The stories are very sad. All cities were fishing villages, independent of each other. While no fish, no there was work. When fishing was prohibited for them, their way of life was taken. This is something that recalls the destruction of the buffalo and the resettlement of Native Americans.

About the Author

John and Maggie Pelley are Geriatric Gypsies. Both of us are retired from the rat race of working. We are full-time RVers, who ran away from home. We began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons. No more shoveling snow in Chicago. We have discovered volunteering with the National Park System. During our travels we have found that each town has a story to tell: some are more interesting than others. Both of us enjoy good listening music as we go. John has a CD he has recorded of Native American flure music. We have learned that RVing has a learning curve. We want to pass on some advice the help others avoid this trecherous curve. Life is an adventure. We are living it to the utmost.

Philip Agee on the History of the Cold War (Part 1)