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.

PEI Footpaths Float and Climb

Our RV “camping” journey continued on Canada’s Prince Edward Island, where we walked on a floating boardwalk that led to the beach dunes at Greenwich National Park. It bobbed like a pedestrian suspension bridge and may be too much for people prone to seasickness.

About the size of Rhode Island, PEI is relatively flat, but the Bonshaw and Strathgartney loop climbed 800 feet during eight miles, traveling over a bridge, down stairs, and along boardwalks. If you like forested walks, this one is for you.

If you are looking for a biking or hiking challenge, the Confederation Trail across PEI will take you 170 miles. You can add many more miles by walking or riding various offshoots. Divert for a break on one of the island’s sandy beaches and take a dip in Atlantic Ocean waters that can reach the 70s. However, while we visited, water temperatures never topped 60.