Day 01 – Traveling from Halifax to Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Our flight is not until 12:45 PM so we sat down for a leisurely breakfast at the Hotel and got on the airport shuttle around 10:00 AM.  We had no idea what the check-in lines or the security lines would be like, so we figured earlier is better.  Fortunately we sailed right through and about an hour later the plane was beginning the boarding process.

Flying into Deer Lake I was able to get a couple of pictures of the countryside.  Unfortunately, you can see that no one has washed the outside of the jet’s windows – ha ha ha.

After landing we called the shuttle service only to find out that they just had all of their shuttles leave the airport for Corner Brook and it would be about a 30-minute wait.  Well, an hour later we finally got our ride.  On the way we pass along Deer Lake and mountains on the other side for some nice views.

Bienvenue (welcome), at last we are in Corner Brook, where Captain Cook once landed to chart and lay claim to Newfoundland.

Nearing our turn to the hotel, we have views of some of the mountains which jut up along the Humber River. 

We are staying at the Glynmill Inn which overlooks the Glynmill Pond and stream.  The original Inn burnt, but was repaired and looks much like the old Inn.  The building reminds me of the old English style buildings.

A walk through part of the town brought us to the veteran’s memorial in front of City Hall.  The memorial covers WWI and the conflicts following. 

After quick dinner, we decided to take a hike along the pond and Corner Brook Stream to the dam. 

As we descend the staircase leading to the trail, we stopped to smell the roses – literally.  They were pretty fragrant.

Beginning our hike along the trail, we notice several swans in the small pond and stream.  As we reached the stream, some kids were feeding the swans and trying to also keep the seagulls away. 

Deciding to continue our trek along the stream we crossed the foot bridge a little further along the path.

From here looking back towards the Inn, we can see that many of the trees have over grown and now block the view of this lovely looking Inn.  Too bad, because looking from here, we would have had a great view of the Inn.

After arriving at the footbridge we are treated to some rapids.  Upstream you can just see part of a falls.  Today we decided not to hike that way.  Maybe we’ll to that tomorrow, if we have time.

Found a great place to get a portrait of Carmen.  We do not always find good places and I try to take advantage whenever I can.

We reached the dam and fish ladder.  Just before I took this picture I saw an Atlantic salmon jump in the water sluice area of the dam.  Now that is something to see.  It didn’t jump again even though I waited for a little while before taking this picture.  I was sure another would jump.

We returned to the Inn and are preparing for our trip tomorrow.  We'll meet with the tour guide at breakfast then afterwards board the tour bus for our visit to the Captain James Cook Historic Site.  Following that we’ll head to Frenchman’s Cove along Humber Arm.  Until tomorrow.

Day-00 – Traveling from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Carmen and I traveled to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.  We took the 12-day Globus tour (CF) which goes around Newfoundland and Labrador and begins in Corner Brook.  To get to Corner Brook, Newfoundland we are driving from Maine to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where we will take a flight, on July 18th, to Deer Lake, Newfoundland and then a 15 minute ride to Corner Brook where our tour begins. 

We decided to drive to Halifax because last year we drove to Cape Breton on the northern end of Nova Scotia and drove the Cabot Trail.  We had a good time, but ran out of time to make it to the south side of Nova Scotia.  Therefore when we return to Halifax we will start there for our drive around the southern end of Nova Scotia.

We left Florida for Maine on July 11th and arrived in Auburn, Maine on the 12th.  Then we drove to Moncton, Canada on the 16th then continued to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where we will spend the night for our flight to Newfoundland on the 18th.  We left the car at the hotel while on our trip and we’ll pick it up on our return.

Arriving in Halifax early we decided to visit the Citadel, the British fort overlooking the St John’s River.  Here is the main entrance to the fort, guarded by a military guard in World War I period uniform.

Inside the fort there is plenty of room for people and equipment.  You can see the inside walls and where the gun placements are on the top.  Personnel and equipment would be housed inside the walls with access by some of the doors seen along the interior of the wall.

Moving about the grounds a squad of infantrymen (and woman) receives instructions in rifle hand-to-hand combat and the use of the bayonet; of which only the squad leader, not shown, actually has one.

We made just in time to look towards the top of the wall as one of the big cannons was fired at noon.  You can see two of the five members of the gun crew.

Climbing the ramp that you see on the left side, we made our way to the tip of the wall.  From here you have a very good view of almost the entire inside of the fort.  The center building and in the far end you can just make out the field demonstration area.

Walking along the wall perimeter we pass a number of different cannons and mortars used at this fort throughout its history.  This one is quite a piece of artillery.  You can see that it is on a slide so that the cannon can be moved to cover a wide area.

Here the five members of the gun crew, in period uniform, that fired the cannon at noon, await their appointed time to clear the area.  Notice the fuse housing is covered with a metal cover to stop any unwanted detonations.

Leaving the top of the wall we return to the fort base where there are displays of equipment and supplies used during WWI.  There is also access to the two buildings and any of the doors leading into the rooms within the wall. 

At this exit, the same as the entrance from earlier, several personnel are dressed in period uniform; two are in WWI uniform and the other is in traditional Highland Brigade uniform with the dress kilt and headdress.

Tomorrow we fly to Deer Lake then shuttle to Corner Brook to begin our tour.