As the Caribou ferry approached the harbour at Port Aux Basques, Sylvia and I stood at the rail watching the blue waves of the Atlantic buffeting the sheer, bare cliffs; white spray rising almost to the top of the cliff.

Parts of Newfoundland have the look of the Yukon with magnificent cliffs, green rolling forests, boggy meadows and sparkling lakes. Leaving the port we wound through a series of hills and past the Twin Hills, two cone-shaped giants that resemble ancient volcanoes. On the east loomed Table Mountain, part of the stark, blue coloured Long Range Mountains.
(Left: Aerial view of Cornerbook)
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Gros Morne National Park is an excellent park in which to see the awesome effect of moving ice on solid rock. Glaciers have rounded the mountains of the park and carved deep fjords with sheer cliffs. One of the most striking fjords is at Western Brook Pond. Although the entrance to Western Brook Pond is visible from the highway, it is best to take a 1.8-mile hike to the lake where you can take a boat cruise and see the true magnificence of the fjord.
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In the early 1600s English fishermen settled the area and had to endure attacks by the French. Now, as then, Bonavista depends on fish for survival. The Memorial United Church built in 1918 is the largest wooden church in the east. In town, the Ryan Premises National Historic Site is a group of buildings that display the history of fishing. I think the most interesting display in town is the replica of Cabot's ship, Mathew, which is anchored in the harbour. Built by craftsmen from Bonavista, this replica shows the high level of expertise found here. ( Right: Visit the past, as the earliest Viking settlement is recreated at L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site)
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Trinity is a beautiful rustic town with several attractive old buildings, but the steep, twisting nature of the road into town will make it difficult for long RVs to navigate. Despite the narrow streets, it's a friendly and captivating town to visit. Trinity is where the first vaccination in North America was attempted in 1798. They also claim the continent's oldest fire engine, dating back to 1811.
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The Cabot Tower at the top of Signal Hill provides an excellent perch from which to view the city. You can see the densely packed area of the city that was twice consumed by massive fires. Below, on a plateau overlooking the narrow entrance to the harbour, is a battery of cannons that was necessary in protecting the residents from the constant French attacks that ended in 1762 with the British defeat of the French forces in North America. Close by was the site where Marconi received the first radio signal sent across the Atlantic. In spring and early summer, it is a perfect iceberg and whale watching location.
(Above: In the town of Bonavista, the replica of John Cabot's ship, the Mathew, shows the high level of local craftsmanship.)
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Newfoundland doesn't have skunks, porcupines, snakes or poison ivy. There are few severe problems with weather and earthquakes. It does have terrific scenery, great ocean views, and extremely friendly people. Do you need anything more to entice you into having a wonderful RV vacation in Newfoundland?

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