L'anse Au Clair, Labrador to Flower's Cove Newfoundland

Miles today: 226 -- Total miles: 3,318

Time on Road: 9 hours 30 minutes

When you have a good weather day in Newfoundland, it is about as close to a perfect riding day as you can get. So was our day today.

We arrived at the ferry terminal office around 6:00 am and were able to get tickets for the 8:00 am ferry. Hour and a half actual crossing time and were back in Newfoundland. We continued our quest northward toward St Anthony. The ride up the coast was, once again, spectacular. Saw a few small icebergs along the way.

Leaving St Anthony we went over to L'Anse Meadows, the only known site of a Norse village in in North America outside of Greendland. We took the tour of the historic Viking Village site and also visited Norstead, a replicated Viking Village.

We also leanred that there were icebergs breaking up just off shore on the other side of St Anthony in Goose Cove. A quick trip south to the other side of the island and this time we found the real icebergs. Several huge (plus numerous small) icebergs we making their way slowly down the coast. After taking the r4equired number of pictures plus a few more, we were once again back on the road, but this time we are now heading back south. Found a B&B in Flower's Cove for the night. Only thing in town.

Tomorrow we continue south to catch our final ferry and return to the mainland.

Ferry to Saint Barbe, Newfoundland:

Coming in to Saint Barbe:

Heading north up the coast:

Icebergs coming into Saint Anthony:

L'Anse Aux Meadows:

Norstead:

Original Viking site:

Mommy and calf:

Icebergs at Goose Cove, east of Saint Anthony:

Goose Cove:

Heading south:

Our B&B for the night, Flower's Cove:

Flower's Cove, Newfoundland to Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland

Miles today: 369 -- Total miles: 3,687

Time on road: 8 Hours 30 minutes

Our last day and The Rock gave us a gift. Lots of sunshine and temperatures up in the 70's.

Back on the road and heading south along the coast line getting the same scenery as from a few days ago, only in reverse. After around 3 hours we left the coast and were back up in the mountains. Soon we were again on Hwy 1 and heading south. Lots of large rolling hill and mountains comprised most of the afternoon ride.

Just so that we would not forget what it was like, about 25 miles from Port aux Basques we encountured some cross winds that were around 35 mph. The temperature started dropping and it became cold again. Arriving in Port aux Basques the fog started rolling in. Foggy, windy, and wet. That's The Rock.

We meet RDGuy, another V-Strom rider coming down from the loop and we will be catching the same ferry tonight..

At 0:30 hours we are to catch the ferry back to North Sydney and should arrive there at 07:00 in the morning.

Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland to Dieppe, New Brunswick

Miles today: 340 Total miles: -- 4,027

Last night RDGuy dubbed us as the 3-Strom.

We went out for Chinese then returned to the Visitor's Center to use the Wi-Fi. Down to the ferry and boarded the midnight train...make that the midnight ferry, to North Sydney. The ride over was uneventful and we arrived at 7:00 am AT. Off the ferry and a few miles down the road to gas up the bikes and breakfast for us. After breakfast Guy headed for his home. Now it was the 2-Strom again.

Couple hours later and we caught another ferry over to Prince Edward Island. Hour and a half boat ride, 20 minute bike ride for lunch, another hour going across the island, and into New Brunswick by way of the bridge.

Galen rode into St Johns, NB to spend the day with his wife tomorrow and I stopped for the night in Dieppe, NB. Now it is 1-Strom.

I am planning to take 3 days to get back to GA. Galen said that he will be leaving Friday and do a Bun Warmer and Saddle Sore on the way back home, getting in on Saturday and beating me home. Can the Grasshopper teach the Teacher? Only time will tell.

Dieppe, New Brunswick to Port Jervis, New York

Miles today: 748 -- Total miles: 4,775

Time on the road: 13 hours

Today was day 1 of “getting home” day. Just making miles. Started off this morning in the wet After about 30 minutes the sky was overcast but the road was dry.

I took Hwy 1 through Saint John and crossed the border in Calais, Maine. Easy border crossing. Took about 5 minutes because of the 3 cars in front of me. The weather through Maine alternated between sunshine and light rain showers. Hwy 9 to Bangor was a good road but did have traffic in some spots. From Bangor riding nothing but slab. By the time I got into MA I had shed all of the cold weather layers. Riding much lighter now without all of the extra gear. Will be much warmer temperatures from here to home.

Guess-ta-mating about 900 +/- left for tomorrow if I don't get lazy and quit riding early.

Port Jervis, New York to Woodstock, GA

Miles today: 917 -- Total miles: 5,692

Time on the road: 15 hours

For me I did an early start this morning. I wanted to have as much daylight for the ride as possible as I was planning on keeping a relaxed pace.

Typical slab riding day. Morning started out cool and a lot of fog. Nice roads for slab through NY and PA through the mountains. Alternated between sun, clouds, and light rain showers in VA, but also started warming up.

Traffic came to almost a stand still just south of Knoxville. After about 20 minutes, traveling about 2-3 miles, and still not being able to see the end of the traffic jam I came to an exit and took it for where ever it went. Traffic not much better on the secondary road. Found my way over to Hwy 411, open road and headed home. Cost me about 45 minutes time wise.

This was my first trip on a Wee. Must admit that I was rather impressed with the bike. Missed the power of the Vee in a few situations, but the Wee had all the power that was really needed, even fully loaded down with gear. Just down shift a little more often and plan your passing a little more carefully. I thought that the handling on the Wee was just a little bit easier that the Vee, and the Wee's mpg was really a big plus. By keeping the rpm down below 6K it delivered around 50 mpg on the slab and eliminated 1 - 2 stops on long travel days. The Wee's 55+ mpg on secondary roads was really a big advantage over the Vee's 40-42 mpg.

OK, so I finally admit it, I actually do own a Wee.