Terra Nova National Park

We arrive at the government or Headquarters Wharf at 11:15 after a quick dinghy ride from the boat. It is already very warm and we know it is 4.5 kilometres to the showers. But we are ready for a walk and have been looking forward to this visit for several weeks.

The signs along the wharf clearly indicate we cannot park Seabiscuit there but the lady I spoke with on the phone said we could leave the dinghy there while we walked through the campground. The signs are not indicating anything other than “not to be used by pleasure boats” so we turn around and head to the little beach just south of there.

Walking back to the building at the wharf, we expect to find a checkin office but the two men cutting grass tell us this is just their work shed and that we would find a registration office in the campground. We have a conversation about fishing and the cod moratorium, current politics and what it all means to the average Newfoundlander.

The Coastal Trail walk is mostly in shaded forest so we do not notice the heat as much - not until we come to an open meadow. We just might need another shower after we return to the boat!

Wild roses, hawkweed and hedge bindweed. Raspberries. We hear birds calling each other and spot four greater yellowlegs wandering the shore.

Greater Yellowlegs

Hedge Bindweed

Hawkweed

The walk takes us an hour to reach the Newman Sound Campground, after several stops to view the scenery and of course, take photos. The campground is nicely laid out, sites are gravel and open enough to limit the mosquitoes and to allow sunshine between the treed lots.

We feel sorry for these families, all their camping conveyances and gear, but no campfires.

First a stop at the store for an ice cream treat and then we visit the registration office, pay our $5.50 each for entry and use of the park and get directions to the nearest showers.

An hour later, back at the dinghy, slightly refreshed, we find the tide is up and so is the surf. Sitting in the front I got quite the salty sea shower, riding into the wind and the waves.

The rest of the day and evening we swing on the anchor in 20 knot winds and 1-2 foot swells. Our anchor has never let us down so even though a bit uncomfortable, we feel secure. Fortunately, the wind settled before bed and we enjoyed another quiet night.

(News of tremendous thunderstorms, heavy rains and flooding at home.)