Our annual, and much anticipated trip to Newfoundland is never without surprises.
We pulled out of Halifax, Nova Scotia about 2:00 p.m. with about a 4+ hour drive ahead to North Sydney. After a game of "Go Fish" with Grandma and amusing herself with other various solitaire games for about an hour, Hunter stretched out and proceeded to sleep for a good 3 hours, waking up just as we got to the campground. Was just stopping in to say hello - and let them know we would be returning on July 4th to do their review. However, Hunter made a beeline to their game room and Roger got to talking, so our 'just a minute' visit turned in to about an hour stop over.
Stopped for supper at the Seal Island Restaurant before proceeding on to the ferry loading zone. Hunter chose a hamburger (no pre-formed patties up here), while Roger and I dined on honey-glazed chicken breast and roast beef. She found a really neat postcard for the Cabot Trail - but hasn't found time to write it yet, Mom.
Got to the ferry about 9:30, and 'held our breath' to see if they would decide we were 'commercial'. We gave her our reservation confirmation number and she reviewed everything. Then, as an afterthought, she said "This is your personal vehicle? You're not commercial are you?" Roger assured her that this was indeed our personal living quarters and she let us through. We both let out a sigh of relief!
Hunter had time to run around a bit & check out the boat and the lines of vehicles waiting to board from the upper deck. We were one of the last on, but as long as we had a spot, we were happy. Got to our cabin without a hitch and one would have thought Hunter was at 'camp' - she quickly claimed the top bunk with the window!
After she got 'settled in' she and Grandpa went for a tour of the ship and by the time they got back, Grandma was in bed. Hunter's toes were frozen (she was wearing flip flops, of course!)from being out on the deck - because the temperatures were in the 40's! So it didn't take her long to get in bed to get warm. We were afraid she wouldn't be sleepy, after her long nap. Think she laid awake and looked out the window for a little while, but with the rocking of the ship, she didn't make it too long. Of course, Roger and I were out pretty quick!
The morning call woke us about 5:30, about an hour before docking in Port au Basque, Newfoundland. Roger decided to take a shower - and he shared that was an experience in itself - with the boat rocking like it was. I downed another Dramamine as soon as I woke up, but I was afraid it wasn't going to work its magic soon enough. I'm always glad to get back on dry land! We headed down one floor for Roger's coffee and a bowl of oatmeal for Hunter.
When they announced that we could return to our vehicles, we headed for the elevator. We were some of the first in the elevator car, but it ended up with 15 before the doors closed. We were definitely in close quarters. So, the buttons are punched for the 4th and 3rd parking levels. Something malfunctioned and it went past the 4th and stopped at the 3rd. Nothing happened. One lady immediately started to have a panic attack and her husband was trying to keep her calm; after a bit, the man behind me says he's not felling well. Oh, great! Meanwhile the hubby of the panic attack is leaning on the emergency call button. Then he discovers the phone - and he keeps calling it. We're packed in so tight, no one can move, and it's beginning to get a bit warm. After about the 10th call to the purser's desk, he indicates an engineer is on the way. We were stuck in that elevator long enough that most everyone else had left before we ever got out of the elevator! Course, right in the middle of it all, I had to look at Roger and say, "Well, it's just another adventure!"
Hunter was still in her pj's, and with her tummy full, she continued her 'night' with a 3-hour nap as we headed north to the campground. We stopped in Deer Lake to have breakfast (for Roger) and lunch (for Hunter & I). Up here in Canada the 'natives' eat their fries smothered in 'poutine' (which I think is French for gravy). It looks like brown gravy to me, anyway! Hunter declined, but I asked the waitress to bring it on the side. I told Hunter that 'when in Newfoundland, she had to do as the Newfie's did' and so she had to try at least one French fry with it. The little waitress asked where we were from - and went on to reassure Hunter she would love it. And, she did. Promptly ended up dipping all her fries - and her turkey sandwich. By the time we send her home, she'll probably want 'poutine' instead of ketchup! Who knows, we may just start a new trend in Okie land. (And when you think about it, it is just another form of potatoes & gravy!)
Roger put her on 'moose alert' as we drove west into Gros Morne National Park. Not one sighting, but with all the sleep she has gotten over the last 2 days, her 'battery' is fully charged and she's ready to go! Only problem, our batteries are running a bit low!
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