Labrador Bound!

Ferry from Newfoundland to Labrador

We awoke to a cold and drizzly day this morning.  We got on the road much earlier than planned and decided to drive into St. Anthony's again for coffee rather than make it in the rain.  Afterwards, we drove back to St. Barbe and arrived a the ferry landing nearly three hours before departure time.  Thankfully, we were able to pick up internet at the motel/ferry terminal and loaded several posts.

The misty rain continued throughout the entire day.  I was a little concerned that the ferry ride might be rough with the weather, but except for being a little choppy in the middle, the seas remained fairly calm throughout the hour and a half ride.

We were fortunate enough to strike up a conversation with a gentleman who worked with Canada's forestry management.  Terry was such a pleasure to talk with... he offered us so much information about little things and customs that had puzzled us, as well as a wealth of information about the area and traveling through it.

When our discussion turned to the moose controversy, Terry was able to speak first hand about it.  He even offered to give us some moose meat if we found each other after we left the ferry... part of the meals that he had brought with him for the trip.  Terry was on a forestry evaluation team for "eleven sleeps."  During this time, he and his team would be dropped by helicopter into the bush to evaluate the flora and fauna growth and health in a designated section of the forest.

This time debarking the ferry wasn't nearly as traumatic for me as it had been on the ferry from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland... largely because it was much smaller, had fewer vehicles on it, so the process didn't take so long!  We had arrived in Labrador... what adventures await us here?

Actually, we had landed in Quebec, but a right turn headed us towards Labrador within the half hour.  We passed two young girls along the side of the road.  When they read our license plates, they began shouting, "Texas! Texas!"  Obviously, not a whole lot of folks from Texas come to these parts!

We stopped at the visitor's center and learned that because Labrador has little cell service that the government provides a satellite phone free of charge to travelers.  The phone is strictly for emergency use.  When dialed, it relays directly to the police station in Labrador City.  What a tremendous resource to have!

We stopped by the Northern Lights Inn to pick up the satellite phone and were surprised to find Terry at the front desk, along with the other forestry team, checking into their motel room.  Terry immediately turned heel when he saw David to offer us the moose meat that he had canned and brought with him.  What a splendid man and generous gesture (particularly since it meant that he would go without a meal to provide this for us!).  Thanks, Terry!!!  (P.S.  The moose meat was absolutely delicious!!!)

Dave, Terry, and moose meat

As we left the town of L'Anse-au-Clair, the wind was gusting and the rain pelting.  Labrador was covered under a blanket of clouds.  We drove about a 45 minutes to Pinware Provincial Park and set up camp for the night.  Tomorrow we head for Red Bay to take the newly completed, 500-plus-mile-long gravel road to Labrador City.  Wow!

Welcome to Labrador!!!