As expected we awoke to an overcast morning with intermittent showers... Nothing major but a good morning to be inside! With this in mind, we juggled the schedule to accommodate, settling on a mostly indoor series of attractions for the bulk of the day. With some planning and a big breakfast under our belts (too big actually - Smitty's) we hit the city. Of note, we actually had a blast during breakfast as it overlooks the very busy and workmanlike St. John's Harbour. It's no "touristy" expanse, but a real working dock as we watched the constant flow of tractor trailers, mobile cranes and stevedores/longshoremen going about their daily work. Totally fascinating as the cranes toted pipe and container aboard a dockside tug... fun watching how different people do their jobs!!!

First stop for us was the Johnson GEO Centre on Signal Hill Road. Neat architecture, with the bulk of the building actually excavated into the bedrock of Signal Hill. The initial exhibit for us was the Offshore Oil exhibit, with models of exploration processes and equipment, mixed with the sciences that surround petrochemicals. Next we lumbered into a series of interpretive panels dedicated to the story of the Titanic. This rather no nonsense interpretation takes a hard look at the calamity of errors made prior to the marine disaster of the Titanic's sinking and the cast of characters whose responsibility it was to ensure safe passage. The whole exhibit side stepped the "Act of God" rationale and focused on the ownership, company, and seafarers involved as the cause of the event... Evidenced in the "Truth;" section of most panels. Very well done!

We also caught several AV style presentations. One, narrated by Gordon Pinsent (love that voice), focused on the geologic factors that came to create the present Newfoundland geography. The second piece was a 3D Movie entitled MicroPlanet, which dove into the world of insects and reptiles as the in water and on land. A different perspective... Loved the "water spiders".

Just minutes further up the road is Signal Hill National Historic Site. We first stopped at the Visitor Centre and eyed the artifacts and caught a very helpful movie that walks through the military and civilian history of the prominent landmark. Then, further towards the top of the hill, we took in the panoramic overlook of St. John's, as well as the Narrows and the Atlantic entrance to the Harbour. The gang also went to the upper level of Cabot Tower, while I read up on the Military installations left behind in the area from WWII. Lots of visitors... Very worth the visit for the view alone!

With the weather still uncooperative, we headed for The Rooms. This huge building serves as a provincial Museum, Gallery and Archives for Newfoundland. As we often do with this type of visit, we headed for the top floor first. We lucked into a "Mary Pratt" exhibit in the Art Gallery. It was a highlight! Everyone had a favorite painting by the time we left, be it a fire in a burning barrel, jar of homemade jelly, fish on cellophane, or peeled fruit... the realism depicted in scenes from everyday life seemed so fitting with our Newfoundland surroundings. A sample of Pratt's works can be seen at this link on the Art Gallery of Newfoundland website.

We also roamed the Museum portion of the centre, viewing exhibits dedicated to the flappers of the "Roaring Twenties", another aptly coined "Fishing grounds" that delved into the relationship between Newfoundland and Ireland (and the reliance of both cultures on the fishery), and finally a walk through NFLD Natural history with taxidermy samples of native species from caribou to marten. Further, the glass faced architecture and prominent hillside location next to the cathedral affords visitors of The Rooms an excellent vista of St.John's Harbour and surrounding area, from the comfort of the "coach".

After running the museum scene we drove about checking out the "Jelly Bean" streetscapes to fairer skies. The colors are great... Remind me of my walks home as a school boy through Irish Town in Canso. Then it was off to the Duke of Duckworth pub, setting for the bar used so often in CBC's "Republic of Doyle". All hands had a great supper and relaxed after putting on a lot of indoor miles in and around St John's museums. Little warm and muggy, but very enjoyable.

Evening at the Delta saw some preparation for next days travel, swimming in the pool, and a couple of Comedy shows. Nice way to unwind after beginning to feel grounded in Newfoundland!!!