Oxford Nova Scotia to North Sydney, Nova Scotia

Miles today: 399 -- Total miles: 2,294

Time on road: 9 hours 45 minutes

Today was cloudy with light rain on and off, heavy fog, and a couple times we had sunshine. Temperature stayed around 55-60.

We continued heading east through Nova Scotia and crossed over to Cape Breton Island. We headed north on Hwy 19 up the western side of the Island to the Cabot Trail. We had a few rain showers and our only sun for the day. It made for good riding and we were able to make some stops for pictures. Got to see a few whales playing off of the coast. Rounding the northern tip of the Island the weather made a definite change for the worse. Heavy fog, mist, and rain. No more pictures for the day. If you have seen one picture of fog you have pretty much seen them all.

We continued down the western shore line until we reached Hwy 106 and continued to the ferry terminal in north Sydney. We got checked in and waited until it was time to load the bikes. Around 10 pm all bikes were allowed to board. After strapping the bikes down for the voyage we found our way to our cabin. The ferry sailed at 11:30 pm and we are now on our way to Newfoundland. We should be arriving in Newfoundland late tomorrow afternoon, giving us a few hours of riding time to find a place to stay for the night.

Cape Brenton Highlands National Park:

Ferry to Newfoundland:

North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Argentia, Newfoundland

Ferry
Time on ferry: 14 hours
Distance: 322 miles

Argentia, Newfoundland to Clarenville, Newfoundland

Miles today: 94 -- Total miles: 2,710

Time on the road: 3 hours

The ferry landed in Newfoundland around 3:00 pm. Took the straps off of the bikes and soon we were rolling across the Newfoundland country side. All that I can say is that “The Rock” really rocks. Gorgeous lakes, rivers, mountains, and vistas. This is what we rode over 2,000 miles for. Of course we had cloudy skies, occasional pea soup fog, and light mist, but who was notcieing? When the temperature dropped down to 50 degrees it did seem a little cool for July to a couple of Southern boys. Winter riding gear really made a big difference in the comfort level. Gotta love heated gear and grips.

An hour's drive up the road to the Trans-Canadian Highway and we stopped for a late lunch. An hour later after riding through some more gorgeous scenery we found a motel in Clarenville.

Tomorrow is looking like we may have a chance of seeing some sun after chilly temperatures tonight. Our goal for tomorrow is Twillingate.

Arriving in Newfoundland:

Clarenville, Newfoundland to Crow Head (Twillingate Island), Newfoundland

Miles today: 172 -- Total miles: 2,560

Time on the road: 6 hours 15 minutes

We left Clarenville on Hwy 1 in light drizzle and the temperature around 55. 10 minutes later the rain was gone. Hwy 1 is a great traveling road. Lots of rolling hills, streams and rivers, large lakes and bays, and thick forest of evergreen and Birch(?). The fact that anything grows up here amazes me as the top soil in most places is only a few inches deep. It does not seem like that there is enough soil to support a few scattered trees much less the dense forest that seem to be almost every where.

Clouds disappeared, temperature rose to around 60-65, and we headed north out of Gander toward Twillingate Island. About as perfect riding as you can get. As we neared the town of Twillingate we noticed a large wall of dark fog to the North. The direction that we were heading in. The fog looked like the kind of fog that would make the entire island and all of the people on it disappear forever. Braving the ominous looking wall of fog that appeared to be approaching us, we went through the small town of Crow Head and reached the north end of the island where there is a light house and a great viewing area. The fog was just a few feet off of the bank and seem to cover the entire ocean. Icebergs were out there, somewhere, but not to be seen.

To our west the fog was not quite as thick and we could see two whales in the act of what appeared to be catching their dinner.

Giving up on really being able to see anything but fog we headed a short distance down the road to Sleepy Cove and found a great camping spot on the side of the bluff. Free camping, my favorite camping fee. We set up the tents in just about the perfect camping spot in just about perfect camping weather. Ten feet behind my tent and about 100 feet straight down was the ocean.

Later in the evening after camp was set up and we were through with dinner, we noticed that the fog had moved quite a distance to the north. Back on the bikes and back again to the light house. This time we could see the icebergs. Way up the coast were two tiny spots of white floating out in the ocean. Glad that we did not miss that.

Road to Twillingate:

Long Point Lighthouse:

Whales playing:

Camping site:

Crow Head, Newfoundland to Rocky Harbor, Newfoundland

Miles today: 282 -- Total miles: 2,842

Time on the road: 6 hours 15 minutes

The temperature actually started rising during the night and we awoke to a warm morning. I did a short 2 mile walk exploring the area and then later we took our time breaking camp.

Back through Crow Head and into the town of Twillingate for breakfast. Back on the road again we headed south back toward Hwy 1. Reaching Hwy 1 we again headed west with the temperature climbing up to around 70. Clouds began developing as we were getting closer to the western coast. Just a warning that the rain is returning tonight and is suppose to continue through tomorrow.

We entered Gros Morne National Park and found a motel in Rocky Harbor. We were planning on camping again tonight but decided to take the easy way out. Out to dinner then returned to the motel to catch up on laundry and the ride report.

Tomorrow our goal is to tour the Viking Village up on the northern tip of Newfoundland.

Twillingate Island:

Rocky Harbor Newfoundland to Red Bay, Labrador

Miles today:250 - Total miles: 3,092

Time on Road: 5 hours
Time on Ferry: 2 hours

The rain stopped this morning and we continued north under cloudy skies. It was a gorgeous ride up the coast. Lots of views of the ocean. As we continued north we realized one thing. The good looking weather lady in the short black skirt did not warn us that the rain was traveling north. Soon we were back to riding in the wet, which seemed to be the case for most of the day.

When we reached St Barbie we stopped by the Ferry Ticket Office to see about tickets to Labrador. The schedule posted at the ferry office was not the same as I had gotten off of the internet. The return ferry from Labrador would not allow us enough time to catch our boat off of Newfoundlound back to Nova Scotia. We changed our ride plans and obtained stand-by tickets for today's 3:30 ferry over to Labrador but could not get reservations for the ferry back to Newfoundland. Hopefully we can get stand-by tickets for the return ferry in the morning. It not.............

After getting off the ferry in Quebec we continued on up the road to L'anse Au Clair, Labrador. After stopping and securing a motel room for the night we got back on the road and rode another 50 miles up to Red Bay. Great motorcycle road but the pavement could have been better. Fantastic views, rolling hills, mountains, lakes, and coast line views of the ocean. Plenty of heavy fog and light rain. The ride was almost good enough to make you forget the fog and rain. Almost.

Reaching Red Bay we arrived at the most northern point of our trip Turning around at the start of the dirt road we went back to L'anse Au Clair to our motel and to get a late dinner.

Tomorrow our goal is to tour the Viking Village up on the northern tip of Newfoundland. (Yea, I know. You have heard that one before.)

Road to Saint Barbe:

Ferry to Blanc Sablon, Quebec:

Labrador - road to Red Bay: