We had less than 2 weeks before we would board the ferry to leave Newfoundland. So we tried to make the most of it. This time would be spent on the Avalon peninsula, which sits on the southeast coast of Newfoundland. We traveled south along the Irish Loop and then north to the capital of St. John’s. Our trip across the gulf would leave from Argentia and take 16 hours to return to North Sydney. We traveled for 3 more days in Canada before crossing back into the US.
The Irish Loop
The Irish Loop
Traveling to the southeast coast of the Avalon peninsula, we tried in vain to see more whales. But the weather and nature’s timing conspired against that wish. Instead we traveled to a UNESCO World Heritage site where the earliest animal fossils were discovered, saw where Amelia Earhart left to fly to Europe, and visited a beautiful beach community, sharing their local market.
St. Johns
St. Johns
The capital of St. Johns would be our home for 4 days, with more than enough to fill that time. Signal Hill was the site of the first wireless communication across the ocean. Cape Spear is the easternmost spot on North America. The historic center center has signature colorful row houses, centuries old wine vaults and tells the history of the longest narrow-gauge railway in North America before its demise. But maybe most significantly of all, we were finally screeched in as honorary Newfoundlanders.
Argentia and the Ferry to Nova Scotia
Argentia and the Ferry to Nova Scotia
We spent 2 days in the port of Argentia before boarding the ferry to Nova Scotia. After days of wind and dense fog that Avalon is known for, the skies cleared and winds died down. We had a beautiful crossing and arrived in Nova Scotia early on the last Sunday of July.
Through Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick
Through Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick
We would have a short trip back through the Atlantic Maritime provinces making our way to the US. As we made our way west, we drove the southwest section of the Cabot Trail that we had missed on our way north. On the spur of the moment, we took a ferry to Prince Edward Island and swung through the province to see how it had changed since our last visit 35 years ago. We ended our travels with a stay in Moncton, New Brunswick and took a trip to the Magic Mountain water park. On the last Wednesday of the month, we had ended our travels in Canada and crossed back to the US. It had been 2 months and a wonderful, memorable trip.
