Entering the “New. Found. Land” or Newfoundland!

Weather continues to be just perfect as we move our clocks ahead 30 minutes and port up at Corner Brook, Newfoundland.  The Maritime Archaic people were the first to inhabit this area around 3,500 years ago taking advantage of the excellent fishing waters.  French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived on his first voyage to the New World in 1534.  Later sailors from England, France, Spain and Portugal arrived; some settling and others whaling or fishing before moving on.  Captain James Cook charted the Bay of Islands in 1767; a monument to this famous explorer and cartographer overlooks the bay today.  In the 19th century Corner Brook grew into a fishing and lumber town and a saw mill built in the 1920’s turned the city into the largest in western Newfoundland.  The population now of Corner Brook is 22,000 being the second largest city and a gateway to many scenic areas of this province.  Marble Mountain, just outside the city is a popular ski resort and hiking destination.  A boat ride through the bay brings you to a dozen tiny towns, some with only a handful of residents making a living from the water.  Back in the quaint and friendly town you will find interesting cafes and restaurants.  We learned about a “Screech” where you can become an official Newfoundlander by reciting a creed, downing a shot of their rum, kissing a cod and paying a small fee!  Several passengers did it and said it was quite fun.  We did our own thing here.

It started out with us walking their Cornerbrook Stream Trail which took you to the beautiful Glynmill Pond.  Dan felt certain that we could walk the mile or so to get to their Walmart which was at the top of the town!  Well, after an hour of constant uphill walking we finally made it!  no one could believe we walked it which turned out to be 2 1/2 miles!  It was my biggest day ever on this trip so far for steps with a total of 12,000 steps for the day and some sore joints.  The knees are great but now the hips are starting to feel their age and demise!!  We purchased a few things we needed (a new portable fan as mine went on the fritz!  For any of you that know me you realize how IMPORTANT that travel fan is!). Walmart was totally sold out of fans due to the unusually warm weather they were having but the clerk told Dan to walk across the street to some discount store and he would find one and he did!

We paid $2 a piece to ride the city bus back down the hill to town and I was relieved....We took the trolley around town and ended up walking a few streets.  I heard some folks talking about the Iceberg Beer which I had wanted to taste and we found a cute restaurant with outside seating where we could sample some local snacks and for me the beer!

We really enjoyed our time here.  Of all the small places so far I think I could come back here and explore a little more.  We met a couple from Florida that winter there and summer here.  They are both widowed and recently married each other; she from Florida and he from Corner Brook.  They think they have the best of both worlds!  

Our ship called for all aboard at 4:30 so we made our way back with a short ride on the trolley.  We ate at the Lido with friends and enjoyed sharing our experiences.  Our night back to the cabin was early.  We enjoyed watching in our stateroom, “A Royal Night Out” which was about Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth having a night on the town celebrating VE night....we enjoyed it and many of the other movies they have available to us which feature more of the European areas that we are traveling to.  

We walked by this shortly after we left the ship; you can see they roll these out and place them along a walkway median advertising a craft and second hand store!  Pretty unusual and catches your eye :)

this describes the Mill Trail that we took which follows the stream and was an old railbed for the mill.

A lovely warm day for our hike along the trail and entrance to the Rotary Park.  

Anyway with a smart phone could  download this app and it would tell you all about the trail you were walking....a “smart” idea I thought!

A huge water pipe line which supplies water still for the mill to produce steam for the processing of paper.

The city center which had a few vendors and live music...many of the cruisers from the ship were taking in the festivities.

A memorial to their heritage and history in the center of town.

No explanation needed!!

Delicious and refreshing!  I should have brought the bottle home :)