Heading Southwest to Port-aux-Basques
Aug. 31 - Sept. 3, 2012

We started heading southwest towards Port-aux-Basques where we catch the ferry back to Nova Scotia. We still had a few days in Newfoundland to do some sightseeing on the way.






We stopped at the Salmon Interpretation Centre in Hawke's Bay. They have a fish ladder on the Torrent River to allow salmon swim upstream to spawn in the river above a 30 ft waterfall. Before the fish ladder the salmon were unable to spawn in the river upstream from the falls because it was too high for them to jump. Because of the ladder the number of salmon using the stream for spawning has increased dramatically.








The fish ladder had a couple of windows we could use to see the salmon. Due to lack of rainfall and a warmer summer than usual, the water temperature is high, so the salmon don't have a lot of energy and are resting before they take the last jump to reach the upper part of the river.







After passing through Gros Morne National Park on our way south, we spent a night at Blow Me Down Provincial Park.  We went there out of curiousity about the name, and found rather dramatic scenery. The park ranger let us stay overnight in the day use area. It was raining and the park ranger said, "In this weather the only ones using the day use area are ducks, so you are welcome to use it." The next morning we awakened to bright sunshine, clear skies, and a great view of the Bay of Islands.  What is the origin of the name, "Blow Me Down"? We didn't get a good answer to that question.


Lark Harbor as seen from Blow Me Down Park. The Bay of Islands is on the far right.









Some fishing boats we passed on our way back to Cornerbrook.







Our next destination was Port au Port Peninsula, where we came upon an alpaca farm; the alpacas were at the fence by the road.  Isn't he (she?) cute? Their fur is incredibly soft.











This one needs a haircut, right?








We made our way to Winterhouse at the northern tip of the peninsula, where we found a good place to spend the night with a great view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.








Relaxing and having some snacks before dinner time has become our custom.








The next day we completed our tour of Port au Port Peninsula where we found this monument to the Acadians.  L'Academie was a French colony established in 1604. In 1713 the colony was turned over by France to England and renamed Nova Scotia. Many of the French colonists left for other colonies, but some remained. In 1755 the British began a process of deportation, splitting up families, and seizing their lands. Some of the Acadians made their way to Quebec and others to Louisiana where they eventually produced the Cajun culture. This monument was established to honor the Acadians.









After Port au Port peninsula we headed to Port aux Basques and then eastward to the end of the road at Rose Blanche, a small fishing community on the Cabot Strait.









The Rose Blanche lighthouse is one of the last remaining lighthouses on the eastern seaboard. The lighthouse was constructed in 1871-1873 and stayed in operation until the early 1940s. The light was visible for 19 miles. The house was decaying seriously so it was replaced by a light on a wooden tower, and later a steel tower. In 1996, to stimulate tourism in the area, an effort was made to restore the lighthouse, and it was re-opened as a museum in 1999. The museum in the lightkeeper's house contains interesting photos and stories by people who lived here when it was a functioning lighthouse. Today, the lighthouse has a red light since it serves as a harbor entrance light.