Of Newfoundland’s Trails and Canada’s Loonies

Good weather, spectacular scenery, and dramatic trails guided us across Newfoundland, Canada to Terra Nova National Park. Sue and I drove to the end of one of many northern land fingers to the 17th-century village of Salvage, where a path took us uphill, through forest, and over bridges to views of the Atlantic Ocean and the harbor. The humpback whales known to glide along the coast avoided our eyes.

The next day’s adventure took us up again to overlooks of the vast forest, ocean inlets, and lakes. Although the 300-site campground in the park was busy, we saw few other hikers. As usual, Sue snapped the photos in the slideshow.

Tidbits: Newfoundland is a half hour ahead of Atlantic time. One-dollar coins, commonly used in Canada, are called Loonies after the loon on one side; the other side has Queen Elizabeth II. Loonies trade for 73 cents against an American dollar.

Rainbow flags are often on display at parks, government buildings, and some businesses. Watch your speed here: the sign says 100, but that means kilometers per hour, or about 62 mph. Gas prices are regulated by area and are based on liters; it is more expensive in remote regions. Gas sells for about $5 (American) a gallon here in St. John’s.

Drivers in the Atlantic provinces are mostly less aggressive than drivers in the ‘States. They rarely tailgate or pass on the right.

Suspension Bridge Kicks Off Canadian Adventure

Can you spare four days? Do steep climbs, stunning coastal scenery, and Canadian wilderness sound like your cup of tea?

New Brunswick, Canada offers the 27-mile Fundy Footpath that begins on a suspension bridge over the Big Salmon River and ends at Fundy National Park after traveling through 12 ravines. You’ll need to pack everything you need, including a tidal chart for getting by two tidal rivers.

Sue and I walked the bridge, which swayed with each step. While we visited the nearby Fundy Trail Parkway interpretive center, four young backpackers listened to trail tips from a woman who worked at the center. Then they were off under a cloud layer that turned to rain that afternoon.

They faced more than 10,000 feet of ascents, no developed campsites, and the world’s highest tides.

More on the last part later.