Found on our back porch, steeped like "Yellow Marsh Tea" in tradition and culture, laden with some of Canada's finest and oldest National Parks and Historic Sites, rich in both land and seascapes, and of course "the people"... why not Newfoundland? With the bulk of our family having never visited the island, and opting for a getaway with more of a "stay-cation" feel (as opposed to driving across the continent), it seemed the perfect choice. So, by late spring we'd begun looking at options and weighing and's, if's and but's for a trek to the rock!!! The Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Website (as well as the App I downloaded from there) was an excellent resource in figuring it all out.

At first, we thought it might be fun to rent an RV and do the excursion across the island. However, after pricing that we pulled in our horns and decided that if we were going to spend extra money we'd focus that on the attractions as opposed to accommodations and transportation. Then we looked at flying or sailing... to which sailing quickly took the day. Janie and I had such a great experience ferrying from the UK to the Netherlands that we thought it worthy of sharing with the kids. That, we hoped, would prove the correct decision and be educational while uneventful!

So it would be the "Toyoda" (after a review conducted at Sullivan's Auto) and the Sydney to Argentia Ferry. We stuffed the car with all the necessities (Tent/Sleeping Bags/Sunscreen/Bug Spray/Snacks) and headed for what we expected may be "cooler" nights, after some very warm summer days in both Antigonish and Canso. The plan was loosely set to loop from St. John's to Port aux Basques spending several days in the city and extending through visits to both National Parks and communities along the way. The days weren't exactly "set in stone", with flexibility (open spots) around reservations to adjust to potential meanders. We did book in advance the departing ferry with Marine Atlantic and accommodations in Gros Morne and St. John's.

Our kids are great travelers, and roll with the punches quite nicely be it many miles of car or attractions both quaint and grand. We pack light and move very quickly. After last summer's road trip across the continent, we can pick up like a well oiled machine and look like a pit crew moving in and out of our accommodations. No more than a bag each, with perhaps a communal bag for shared items. Further, the cooler is always stocked with cold water, veggies and fruit, all at the ready whether in the tent, car or hotel room. We do drag some tech, be it i-pad/pod/phone and GPS... it's a passion for everyone at our house. Newfoundland would prove an interesting destination for us, much different from the focused city trips we often take. Parts of this trip were going to be without "bunches" of attraction in a day (especially the Western side of the island). The focus was to have at least "one" focal point for the day... the rest was gravy!

So... feel welcome to share "online" the pictures and stories of our travels this summer. If you wish, follow our journey which details things we saw, some of the folks we met, and the things we did. Nothing spectacular... just a collection of memories! Janie and Monica both had cameras (I didn't put a picture on my camera) and I've used their pics for the Gallery, if you'd rather do the picture thing. Fair wind to ye!!!