Monday, May 13, 2024 (Day 7)

Gander / 7:10 a.m. / 5 degrees to Torbay (within St. John’s), Newfoundland / 4:25 p.m. / 10 degrees for a total of 672.7 km driving.  Overcast, no rain, looks like sun trying to break out.

Enjoyed the hotel’s complimentary breakfast that started at 6:30 a.m.  They offered eggs, sausages, waffles, toast, muffins, yogurt, etc.  We would stay here again.  The staff were so nice and accommodating. 

We packed up the truck, filled up with gas and grabbed a Tim Hortons coffee all within the vicinity.  20 minutes later we saw 2 moose.  One on each side of the highway.  It appeared to be a momma and baby.

We are heading up towards Bonavista to see what this loop on the map has to offer.  Note: We have come to realize that you do know the roads may be rough throughout Newfoundland when you see permanent pot hole signs. (Ha-ha!). Another observation, farms are not common given the rocky terrain but we did see a couple today.  

Blue skies as we made our way to Cape Bonavista lighthouse next to North Atlantic Ocean.  Access partially closed to the lighthouse as they were doing some work.  Not far away is the Dungeon Provincial Park UNESCO Geosite (large hole in the ground with 2 adjacent caves).  We found this to be a worthwhile stop.  We are finishing the loop and heading on to the next loop before calling it a day in Torbay (within St. John’s). 

Next loop offers many interesting town names, it certainly makes you wonder who named them back in time. 😂

-Dildo / Population 803 / Jimmy Kimmel (late night talk show host) has been made honorary mayor after focusing a few episodes of his show about this location.

-Heart’s Delight /Population 646

-Heart’s Desire / Population 184

-Heart’s Content / Population 330

We are now heading to Torbay to stay with one of Carol-Ann’s previous work colleagues from early on in her career.  Hit a little construction when heading in to the city.  Folks are so courteous.  Motorists all move over to the 1 lane as soon as it is indicated instead of waiting right until the very end and creating a bottleneck.  Traffic moved smoothly.

Arrived and so did the rain.