7/29/14 – Overcast and misty, we headed over to the Trout River Pond Trailhead, and hiked that above the lakeside for about 3 km. At that point we backtracked to a point of beach access, with breathtaking views up the lake.

Returning to the rig we continued back east along the 431 to Lomond Campground, where we had an open site overlooking the South Arm of Bonne Bay.

The sun peeking out to heat things up, we then tackled the Stanleyville Trail, which went steeply up and over a wooded pass, and down to a secluded bay where there used to be a mill. Now there is just a grassy knoll with a pair of red Adirondack chairs, providing a touch of luxury and serenity after a warm, humid, sweaty hike.

The return was cooler, clouds providing relief, and we settled back at camp to plan the days ahead.

7/30/14 – Returning on the 431 to Wiltondale, then west again on the 430, we stopped at the park Visitor Center. With cell service back and wifi, we made reservations for the Western Brook Pond boat tour the following morning. Then we checked out the town of Rocky Harbour, hoping to catch some Newfoundland music at the Anchor Pub. However, all performances start at 8 or 9 pm, making it too late for us to drive back to one of the campgrounds. We then drove up toward Berry Hill to the Bakers Brook Falls trailhead. This is a 10 km return trail, which was mostly easy, to a spectacular cascading system of falls with multiple viewing points. Weather was cool and overcast, pleasant hiking.

We then drove further up the coast to the campground at Green Point, as with the sun coming out, the beachside setting promised coolness, and this is also the closest camp to Western Brook Pond. We strolled up and down the beach, collecting way too many fascinating rocks…

… and on returning we stopped to chat with some fellow campers. This nice Quebec couple were in a custom 20’class-B, and had covered far more of NL that we had, frequently boondocking, as we saw many others doing in our travels. They gave us many great tips on places to visit on our trip ahead in Quebec. We then took showers in the rig to be ready for the morrow’s trip on the boat.

7/31/14 – We parked at the trailhead for the hike to Western Brook Pond. This is an easy 3 km hike each way, some drizzle and light rain, to the edge of the lake where the kiosk and pier for the 2 hour catamaran boat tour up into the canyon and back.

This used to be a Fiord connected to the sea, but millennia ago the outlet filled in, and this is now a freshwater lake over 500’ deep. Dramatic and awe-inspiring canyon – words can’t do it justice.

We drove back south to the campground at Berry Hill to get a campsite, then headed into Rocky Harbour for an early dinner at Oceanview Restaurant. Nancy had salmon with a maple glaze, and I had pan-fried cod with pork scrunchions. We shared a nice green salad with candied walnuts and chevre cheese. After returning to camp, it started to rain, cooling off the warm, humid, setting, then thunder, lightening, and a downpour, which thankfully extinguished the smokey campfires around us for a good night’s sleep!

8/1/14 – Our last full day in Newfoundland, and ending our stay too in Gros Morne, we stopped on the way out at Southeast Falls, a short easy hike to some pretty falls. Once headed southwest on TCH, we continued to Corner Brook for groceries and Walmart. Continuing south, we intended to stay again at Cheeseman Provincial Park for night, but pulled over just before to see the lighthouse at Cape Ray. Parked there, we discovered a spot a short distance down a rough road just beyond the lighthouse to boondock next to the surf crashing onto the rocks. We enjoyed the cool breezes as we sipped our screech-and-diet-cokes, then dined on a great salad with shrimp and dip on the side, a la chef Nancy, while listening to the pounding surf.