To Newfoundland We Go!!!!

Codroy Valley, NL (52 degrees, blue skies, chilly)

Leaving Nova Scotia and taking the ferry to Newfoundland was fairly easy and delightful. We stayed the night in Arm of Gold, a convenient campground near the ferry dock. The day prior to our boarding we drove down to the dock and checked it all out to be sure we knew where to enter with our motorhomes and tow cars. The campground was very nice with 50 amp service on large grassy sites and 50/50 WYFI (on arrival it worked, the next morning not at all). The view from our front door gave us almost a 180 degree view of the surrounding waterways and town. I think we managed to snag the best site in the campground. Sweet!

Arm of Gold Campground (view from motorhome)

The next morning we left in a small caravan with our friends and had to check in two hours prior to departure. We got in line and waited and waited to enter. On this particular day the motorhomes were the last to board. They asked for our booking confirmation number and measured our rig and attached jeep. You pay according to length. It's slightly cheaper to drive your motorhome and jeep in separately but you don't go on or exit the ferry at the same time. For the little additional cost we all decided to remain hitched. We were guided onto one of the three motor vehicle decks by an array of yellow vested workers. Everyone is tightly maneuvered onto the ferry in a efficient manner. Clearances are very tight but we were guided expertly into the vessel.

Waiting, waiting, waiting

Our ferry

Entering into the ferry...here we go!!!

Being guided into place

Tight quarters

We could have boarded Jimmy in a kennel on the main deck of the ferry but thought he'd be happier during the six hour journey staying in the motorhome. You are not allowed to go check on your animals once the ferry leaves but Jimmy is able to tolerate this time period easily and as it turned out he did great.

View from upper deck of truck cargo

After parking we exited our rigs and walked between the cars, trucks, and motorhomes to an elevator to the seventh deck. You could choose to sit in a variety of lounges and on this voyage we did not have assigned seats. Comfy lounge chairs face the large windows but do not recline. We walked all around and it really seemed like we were on a cruise ship. It was very clean and bright with a gift shop, computer lounge, restaurant, and bar.

Window in lounge

Some of us decided to pack some snacks and beverages and after watching the ferry depart sat together in the lounge. Vickie and Carl decided to have lunch in the restaurant and said it was delicious and not over priced.

It was a pleasant voyage. It was chilly on deck but we had fun  walking around it a few times mostly looking for whales (no luck). The only complaint we had was the lounge area was very warm.  If you are prone to seasickness be sure to take something. Our voyage was calm but it's not always the case. Bromine works great if taken the night before and day of your journey.

We met several folks from Newfoundland on the trip and were given some great tips. Have I mentioned how friendly Newfoundlanders are?  Here are some of the fun things we were told had to be done to really experience Newfoundland to the fullest

• "Kiss the Cod" - yes you actually kiss a codfish on the "lips"
• Drink a shot of Screech (a local rum)
• Go Mummering (a tradition during Christmas where you dress up in costume and go door to door singing and dancing with your friends. I think alcohol may also be involved.)

Mummers

• Swim in the Atlantic Ocean
• View an iceberg (top of our list)
• Watch out  for Moose
• Try moose stew
• Play an ugly stick (decorated mop with cymbals which is played in a band)

Playing an ugly stck

• Drink only Pepsi
• Have in your possession bologna and molasses at all times

A guide book we received had a 100 item check list. This sounds like fun. Stay tuned!

First view of Newfoundland

Getting off the ship was a breeze. We were first in line on our deck and quickly on our way. Our first views of Newfoundland were of a very rural landscape with steep mountains and an occasion view of the sea, and yes there was still some snow on the ground.  The interstate was wonderful and easy to navigate. We decided to stay at Codroy Campground only a 20 minute drive from the dock. It's a gem of a campground with nice three way sites (water, sewer, and electric). It's known as a birding hotspot but in our short stay we did not see very many. The owners were very helpful and welcoming and there is a great gift shop with reasonable local craft items.

It was smooth sailing to our next destination Newfoundland. We will be here for two months and will quickly head up the western coast to the Iceberg Festival in St. Anthony.

Codroy Campground

Here are a few more interesting facts about Newfoundland (an island perched on the coast of the cold North Atlantic Sea)

• It has its own time zone which is 1/2 hour earlier than eastern standard time. This is not a typo...1/2 hour difference. They are the first people in Canada to welcome the New Year
•  Most Newfoundlanders speak with an Irish/English accent. They use lots of slang terms among themselves.
• They are known for being very friendly and oftentimes have a great sense of humor
• It's probably the only place where you can experience four seasons in one day. However, I'd nominate Jackson Wyoming as a close second
• It's recommended if you don't like the weather out your front door go out your back door
• It holds the distinction of the being the foggiest, snowiest, windiest, wettest, and cloudiest providence in Canada

So stay with us over the next two months and see what happens. It sure to be a great adventure. Jimmy Buffett says "when you go off adventuring some of the adventure is the unpredictable".