“Where’s Dildo?” by N&J

Baddeck, NS (Sep 23/19) – The journey from the west side of Newfoundland to the far east side of the island to St. John’s is a long, long drive (900kms). Thankfully, being part of the Trans-Canada route, this extensive highway is well maintained. A nice & wide, smooth, and easy to drive mostly 4 lane highway. Signs warning of moose collisions are scattered strategically, tallying the number of incidents to date, urging drivers to slow down… an ominous beacon of others misfortune. Hobbes relies on the ‘deer whistles’ placed on his front bumper, meant to ward off any wild animals that may be close to the highway, they are doing their job apparently as designed. Fingers crossed, this crew has not seen one wild beast this whole trip… well at least not on the road. An overnight in Terra Nova National Park at the visitor centre was a welcome blessing after an arduous drive (free showers and coin-laundry), situated right beside a gorgeous bay. The higher altitude meant for a colder night, frost on the ground & a bite in the air (Hobbes’ new heater is paying off!).

click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery

The drive into St. John’s was very windy, pounding from all directions and tossing the van around a fair amount, all eyes on deck looking out for other errant drivers forced off course by the wind took it’s toll. Very tired and worn out N&J decided a stay in a B&B only a few blocks from downtown, would recharge their spirits and give them a break from the van. Like meeting old friends and with lot’s in common, Newfoundlander’s Steve and Kim opened their lovely home to N&J (and Jesse), this allowed more freedom to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this Atlantic coastal city…. also the hosts love cats, so Jesse was very welcome to roam the house as he pleased. Making this home his kingdom for a few days was exactly what he needed.

Initially the visit started at Signal Hill National Historic Site, a significant physical presence guarding over the entrance to the city’s harbour. The British had established this military placement during the period when it was necessary to guard from attacks by the French & others. From this tall perch is also where, in December 1901, Guglielmo Marconi perfected his radio experiments and received his first wireless message all the way from England, 2100 miles away.

A stroll down Water Street (St. John’s main thoroughfare) will find it bustling with gourmet restaurants, intimate cafes, scrumptious bakeries & cutesy trinket shops. It is here (and on crazy loud George Street) that you will find probably the best live music venues on the planet… of course ‘Newfoundland Music’ is a genre that you won’t find anywhere else. ‘kitchen music’ as some call it, 6-12 musicians sitting around a table in a pub, restaurant or in a house… playing guitars, flutes, accordions, and fiddles come together as one in unison playing from the heart with no agenda. Onlookers with smiles on their faces, brewskies in hand, caught up in the rhythm of the energy urging the performers on into a musical frenzy, the night couldn’t get better!

After 2 days exploring, it was time to venture back across the island… the same long route can seem tedious and a time waster but in actuality going the opposite direction defines new perspectives, and points of interests are looked at differently. Gentle, sunny skies on this backwards trip, made the drive easier.

Enticed by a side route, encountered a small fishing village called Dildo (whaaaatttt?, yes that is what it is called!), recently made famous on the world stage by Jimmy Kimmel (the late-night USA TV host). This town is alive with Dildo signs everywhere, parking lot’s for the rv’s and buses, the whole town now on board and wanting Kimmel for Mayor! Simply a beautiful setting in a small bay, tiny colourful houses dotting the shoreline, and of course the Dildo Brew House welcoming visitors in for ‘brewskies’ and live music.

TO VIEW VIDEO PLEASE CLICK ON PIC BELOW…

Along the way came upon a town named Gander, the place where trans-Atlantic planes stop for refueling. Also the place where the Broadway play “Come From Away” was birthed, the story about how Gander, the town of 9000, took in 7500 passengers forced to land on 9/11. Strikingly, Gander has not capitalized on this incredibly welcoming and heartfelt action… no signs, no commemorative plaques, no mention of any event. Gander residents were instrumental in providing food, shelter and entertainment for a whole 5 days to 38 plane loads of strangers, displaced people in need due to planes being grounded across North America. The whole town subdued, not wanting notoriety, seemingly carrying on as they were before. “Never forgetting”… the musical “Come From Away” is a must and will make any Canadian proud!

N&J left Newfoundland where they started… in Port Aux Basques, catching the shorter ferry, all of 6-8 hours back to Nova Scotia. The other choice was the long ferry from Argentia NF, a 16-18 hour trip, much too long to leave Jesse in the van; unable to sneak him into a ship cabin, and really not interested in seeing that ‘Mr. Miserable’ look again, the doubling back was for the most part worth it. Although, this time the ferry ride was much rougher with huge ocean swells & strong ‘in your face’ winds made for a stomach churning return to North Sydney… the look on Jesse’s face much worse than the previous crossing.

The day ended in Baddeck, NS where dinner at Tom’s Pizza was the icing on the cake for a stressful day… excellent pizza indeed (not so Keto friendly). Finding a quiet secluded spot, N&J overnighted in the parking area of the Graham Alexander Bell National Historic Site… more on this in the next post!!!!

---