We were up and at ‘em fairly early yesterday morning. We left the campground at 8:15 in order to get to a parking lot about 30 km away. From there, you either walk almost 2 miles to a lake called Brooks Pond, or you jump on a six seater golf cart to ride down the road. We opted for the golf cart and we’re glad we did. The purpose of all of this was to take a boat into a landlocked fjord. It used to be open to the ocean, and technically a fjord isn’t a fjord unless the ocean is up in it. Due to plate tectonics, this one became landlocked, and so now it is a freshwater lake that goes through the gorge. We got on the boat, went up to the top deck, and spent about two hours riding below the giant cliffs. We had a tour guide who was great, and he pointed out different rock formations, explained landslides that have happened here, and pointed out waterfalls. It really was a beautiful ride and the cliffs were spectacular! Those things were actually 2200 feet tall! It was a bit chilly and breezy, but I had on my new wool sweater and I was a happy little boat rider! Steve, not so much. He forgot his hat and sunglasses.
When we got back to the truck, we continue driving and visited the small fishing village of Cow Head. We stopped at a small yarn shop called Skivvers. It was a tiny little bright pink house. I walked inside and saw the most beautiful yarns. One of the women who worked there talk to me about how all of them were handspun and dyed somewhere on the island of Newfoundland. She then asked me if I’d like to see the process and took me into the back room. I just love the people here! Anyway, they like to use natural products that they foraged to dye their wool. She had a big pot on the stove where she had dropped insects into the water. They made the most beautiful mauve pinky color on the yarn! I wish I’d asked what the insects were. She had another pot with some kind of plant in it and the yarns were beautiful shades of yellow and green. They used walnut to do a beautiful gold color. Then she took me outside and showed me where the yarns were just draped over the railing to dry in the sun. The view was pretty nice from there, too! Anyway, it was so fun to wander around and chat with them. The other woman who worked there was sitting and spinning some wool before dying it. I think I could’ve just sat there all day with them! Anyway, I bought two beautiful skeins of yarn and a little rug hook kit. Steve happily waited in the car for me.
From there, we drove across a spit to a little island. (I guess it wasn’t really an island if you could drive there - lol) with some pretty views looking back at the coastline. I stopped and picked up a small piece of driftwood and I might try to make a little ugly stick with it!
From there, we drove back to the town of Rocky Harbour, where we are camped. As a sidenote, I ought to mention the road construction. It is of course happening all over as their window to do it is pretty small. Evidently they’re installing some big culverts underneath some of the roads, and they make these giant holes right in the middle. They stopped traffic since only one car can get by at a time, and holy moly is that narrow! And another holy moly, that hole is really deep! I was a little nervous going by with our truck, and I can’t imagine doing that in a semi truck or even an RV!
Once back in town, we stopped at a little restaurant for lunch, and then visited our favorite bar, the Anchor Pub, one last time. The server that we had the first night we were there and who joined us in the kitchen party was there and remembered us. It was fun chatting with her because the pub was pretty slow. I asked her about what happens around here in the winter time. Of course all the tourists go away about mid October. She said everybody in town catches their breath, and then they enjoy the winter! Everybody here skis, plays hockey, ride snowmobiles, or any of the expected winter sports. There aren’t any movie theaters or bowling alleys around, so I’m guessing lots of kitchen parties happen too!
We were pooped from our day, so headed back to the campground and tucked in for the evening. I started researching patterns for my new crochet wool. Our friends checked in to see if we wanted to go back to the pub for a kitchen party, and it turned out none of us did! This is probably the biggest hint that we’re getting old. Several years ago, all six of us would’ve been up for it again. Maybe if the kitchen party was going to start at 4 o’clock instead of 8:30! Ha ha!