Reflecting on the rock

So it's high time I jotted down some more about Newfoundland, because
it really deserves it.

I originally didn't want to spend much time cycling on the rock, as I
knew it was a little too early in the season for it, and I'm on a
deadline to make it to Saint John NB to fly home for a vacation from
my vacation for Dawn's wedding.

I was pretty much right...
It was too early in the season for me to really enjoy it (at least
while peddling) and it's such a giant place I didn't get to do many of
the things I really wanted to do (Gros Morne National Park, l'Anse aux
Meadows, etc). I would have needed at least another two weeks to do
all that on bike.

That said, I really have loved the time I spent riding across, and I'm
glad I was forced into that by the ferry schedule. It not only gave me
excellent training for the rest of the trip (Savage weather, bike
breakdowns, HILLS!!!), but it gave me a chance to fall in love with
newfoundlanders other than Dana and Wade (and the deleriously charming
way that the handsome Michael Power calls everyone 'my trout'). Most
campsite owners and restaurant servers have fallen all over themselves
trying to find a way to help when I roll in looking all bedraggled.
When I stayed at the motel in Badger, Jenni who worked there made me a
paper bag lunch for the road for the next day.
So I'm grateful for the chance to appreciate such kindness.

And such savage beauty. And it really is savage... The Avalon
peninsula where St. John's is, is basically a windswept rock stuck in
the middle of the North Atlantic, connected to mainland Nfld by only a
tiny isthmus (dictionary.com krisitine). Once into the mainland, the
hills became steadier, larger but better grades, and by the time I
made my way to Cornerbrook, it thought it was all easy-peasy (that day
if 180kms really got my hopes up). And that's when the mountains
started, and the savage wind picked up. Sigh. Cornerbrook is just
gorgeous though. Scott, I have no idea why your family moved away.
The pic below is looking down on cornerbrook as I was on my way out.
Yep. Looking down. That hill was an unexpected treat.
And check out the mountains in the background with a bit of snow
still! Nice.