2014 pics - Port Aux Basques to Argentia

Ferry Day Thursday August 21:  Nova Scotia - Port Aux Basques, NL Time: 8 hour over-night ride  23:45 - 08:00 the next morning. **Pay the extra cash for a bunk room!** Ferry Cost $43.43 adult ticket $47.35 for ATV $145.48 for two or four bunk room (it's worth it to get a good sleep) $26.00 for supper (excellent buffet) $12.00 for breakfast plus miscellaneous expenses

The entire trip West to East  The weather was warm, the sun was shining and we had a smooth crossing.

Packed and ready to go to the Newfoundland Ferry

Stopping for coffee in Baddeck 

Getting organized before heading upstairs

Bracing the winds on the ferry crossing

Midnight chilli - man, it was good

Exploring the outside decks

Day 1 Friday August 22 :  Port Aux Basques to Robinson's The first day on the trail - blue skies, sunshine, and spectacular scenery. We took pictures of some beaches at the start of the trail and rode to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for more pictures. We stopped for gas and finally stopped for the night at Pirate's Haven in Robinson's.

 They day's trip from PAB to Robinson's

The view of Port Aux Basques from our cabin window

Gerry taking a photo while the rest of eat our ferry breakfast

We stopped at the nearby Irving after getting off the boat to get organized.

Getting my video camera ready before hitting the trail

The Trail starts on the other side of the train

This view was only a few minutes ride from the start of the trail. What 
a way to start the trip.

Bob and I  capture the view

Panoramic view

We drove to the top of Sugarloaf near the table mountains.

A great panoramic shot taken by Duane

We came across an old concrete house near the trail and stopped for a few pictures

The outside view

Trail break

Trail view near Wreckhouse

Gerry takes in the view

An old bus converted to a trail-side camp

The first washout we came across.

Luckily Bob had some caution tape we used to make it more visible

Pirates Haven was the destination for our first day on the trail. For Bob and I, it was our second time 
staying here. The cabins are roomy and comfortable and the service was second to none. The owners 
Paul and Ruth made sure our stay was perfect. The food at the restaurant is great too.

The inside of one of the cabins.

Video recap for Day 1 on the Trail

Day 2 Saturday August 23rd:  Robinson's to Serpentine Lake Our second day on the trail - once again beautiful weather!  We took our time and averaged about 40 km/h (25 mph) and stopped for lots of pictures. We didn't hit the trail until about 10:30 and arrived at the lake around supper. We set up camp, had a BBQ and made a great fire.

 The day's trip from Robinson's to Serpentine Lake

Our first pit stop - Fishell's bridge

Enjoying the trip

Under Fishell's bridge

A curious coyote came to check us out

Another pit stop

We filled up at Stephenville Crossing and grabbed a coffee.

We arrived at Serpentine Lake and set up camp

Duane is enjoying his favorite drink - coffee!

Gerry and Bob cutting up the veggies

Tent city. I hadn't stayed at this part of the lake before. We rode through
some pretty deep water to get here but it was worth it.

A group shot minus Duane, as he took it. Next time we need to bring a tripod.

The ATV in the background belonged to a local guy was fly fishing just out of frame.
When he returned he had  a 10 lb salmon!

The old driftwood burns well

The sky was clear and the when the stars came out they were bright.
In fact I haven't seen stars that bright anywhere. It's so far away from any towns
that there is no light pollution to spoil the view. 
I wish my camera was capable of taking a good picture of them.

The temperature started to drop a bit but the fire kept us warm

Video recap for Day 2 on the Trail

Day 3 Sunday August 24th:  Serpentine Lake to Howley Our third day on the trail  - getting spoiled by more blue skies and sunshine. It was a chilly morning but it warmed up quickly to 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Farenheit) We got a ride from Cecil Anderson (709)686-5534 from Corner Brook to Pasadena because that section of the trail is out.

 The day's trip - Serpentine Lake - Howley

Morning view of the Serpentine Valley Mountains

It was cool in the early morning but the sun quickly burned the mist away

Two early morning fellas out fishing

The fishermen passing our campsite

Cecil Anderson transported us from Corner Brook to Pasadena to by pass
the 30 km gap in the trail. I put his phone number on the Planning Your Trip Page.

We stopped in Deer Lake for gas and food

The trail was very dusty this day. The box used to be camo instead of brown.

You can see how much dust we were accumulating

And a coffee break in Deer Lake before hitting the trail again

Deer Lake

A beach on Grand Lake in the Howley area. It was a beautiful spot
to spend the night.

Gerry is taking the front box off the old 2008 Sportsman. The air compressor caused
a little panic when it melted a fuse and the fuse block. The fuses were a little
corroded and caused the issue. Apparently it is a common problem on the Sportsman. 
Note to self: check all fuses for corrosion before going on a trip in the future.

Duane and Gerry patching the fuse block. Luckily it worked fine
for the rest of the trip. The fuse block will be replaced with inline fuses
with water tight caps to prevent this type of thing in the future.

Our Howley camp site on the beach. What a spot.

Tent city

The view of Grand Lake from our camp site. The water was warm enough (barely)
to take a dip and get cleaned up.

Video Recap for Day 3 on the trail

Day 4 Monday August 25th:  Howley to Badger  Our fourth day on the trail - blue skies and warm temperatures AGAIN.  We ate breakfast, packed up the tents and hit the dusty trail. We stopped for pictures at the top of the Gaff Topsail then continued on our way.

 The day's trip from Howley to Badger

Approaching the Gaff area

View from the top of the Gaff

Duane and Bob take in the view

Duane had enough photos taken already

This is the living area of Trailblazers in Badger. It's only a few feet from the trail.
It's a comfy place with several bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen,
patio deck with BBQ and a washer and dryer that came in handy. We were really happy to
finally get here after two days of camping.

Video Recap for Day 4 on the trail

Day 5 Tuesday August 26th:  Badger to Gander Our fifth day on the trail. A mix of sun and cloud, no rain. Temperature was about 22 Celsius.  We traveled slower than any other day because this section of trail is rough with pot holes and chop. We stopped at a restaurant called Rosie's which is only a hundred feet from where we spent the night at Frosty's Trailside Units. We rented one unit, which has two rooms but a rather cramped kitchen area. In the future I would recommend only two people per unit at Frosty's. Otherwise the accommodations are nice, and conveniently located on the trail.

 The day's trip from Badger to Gander

Fuel pit stop

The coffee was good too.

We were creating a lot of dust on the dry trail.
If you don't have a full faced helmet bring a dust mask
of some sort.

Video Recap of Day 5 on the trail

Day 6 Wednesday August 27th:  Gander to Clarenville Our sixth day on the trail - a mix of sun and cloud, no rain. Temperature was about 22 Celsius. We stopped for gas in Gander, bought some water and hit the trail. We stopped at St. Jude's Motel in Clarenville for the night. It's a nice spot with a good restaurant. There is a sign on the trail pointing to St. Jude's and it's only a few hundred metres.

 The day's trip from Gander to Clarenville

We enjoyed supper at Rosie's so much we stopped for breakfast
before hitting the trail.

Getting gas in Gander before hitting the dusty trail

We stopped in Gambo for a break and a snack.

Terra Nova National Park. The trail runs over the bridge.

Duane was loaded down but good. 

Day 7 Thursday August 28th:  Clarenville to Argentia  Our seventh day on the trail - the only day it rained. We were on the trail at 5:45 a.m. Yup, early. We had to be at the ferry terminal by 3 p.m. at the latest so we left really early to make sure we would be on time. By 10 a.m. we were ahead of schedule so we took longer breaks to eat and chat and still arrived an hour early at the ferry terminal.

 The day's trip from Clarenville to Argentia

It rained on our last day. We can't complain because we otherwise had good weather

I didn't take many pictures this day because of the rain. This is a view of the trail
almost at the end.

Hitting some puddles on the last part of the trail. 

Gerry hitting the water

There wasn't much water left in the puddle after Duane hit it! 

Good thing we had rain gear

Welcome to Argentia - Should be saying Goodbye Argentia.

Getting your bike sprayed down is mandatory. Something about trying to
prevent the spread of a beetle harmful to agriculture. 

This guy seemed determined to force water into Duane's knap sack.

All loaded on the ship and ready for a shower and a change of clothes.

THE END: Another fantastic trip. I can't wait to go back in 2015!