Blog Archives
The Majestic Caribou is another reason to come and stay awhile…
The Great Northern Peninsula is a magical place where many natural treasures are ever present. We are home to the Viking Settlement a World UNESCO site in L’Anse aux Meadows It is the very place where the world came full circle – an event more than 100,000 years in the making. It is also home to Gros Morne National Park, the Grenfell Legacy, a community of 50 centuries, the French Shore, economuseums, ecological reserves, destination trails, giant icebergs, whales, pristine waters for fishing, hunting and full of unique experiences. We have a strong business community that caters to tourism and hospitality industries.
We are also home of the mighty caribou. Almost every trek I make on Route 430 between my home to the Northern Peninsula East or North to St. Anthony and surrounding area I am greeted by a herd of caribou at the St. Anthony airport.
If you have never had the opportunity to see this majestic animal, I encourage you to make the trek up the Great Northern Peninsula and stay awhile, we have weeks of adventure awaiting.
Live Rural NL,
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-Wheite Bay North
Have you been to The Arches?
The Arches Provincial Park is a natural wonder created by tidal action just north of Gros Morne National Park near the community of Parson’s Pond on the Viking Trail (Route 430).
If you have never been, I would encourage you to pull over and take a few minutes to see it in person. The massive formation is within view of picnic sites, which is great if you wanted to have a lunch and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. Day users also have access to pit toilets. There is a paved parking lot, boardwalk and expanse of natural walking areas.
On a recent visit with friends from Alberta, we stopped for awhile. There were others sitting on driftwood, some had climbed to the top and others were getting their feet wet as the tide rolled in. Certainly a special feeling when you just take the time to enjoy something Mother Nature so freely gave us.
The Great Northern Peninsula is filled with many natural wonders, incredible scenery and the beauty of being surrounded by unique landscapes and being surrounded by water.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North @MitchelmoreMHA
Cascading Waterfalls & Fjords of Gros Morne National Park
The fjords of Gros Morne National Park are a remarkable sight. This prominent flat laying mountain chain runs north until about Daniel’s Harbour. The best viewing vistas is Western Brook Pond where one can take a two hour boat tour of the ancient fjords carved out by Glaciers via BonTour (Visit their website at: http://www.bontours.ca/tour/western-brook-pond-boat-tour/).
The landlocked fjord of Western Brook Pond is a rare sight, especially in our part of the world. Carved by glaciers, and home to plenty of waterfalls and wildlife, it’s worth the trip alone. – Bon Tours
Driving up Route 430 one will not miss the parking area jsut 27 km North of Rocky Harbour, as it is almost always nearly filled, even between boat tours. Digital signage clearly marks when the next tours will commence, as well as information about the boardwalk distance and what one can expect along the way. Interpretation panels share valued knowledge, as well as binoculars, washroom facilities and rest stops are provided.
I encourage you to come and experience cascading waterfalls, billion year-old cliffs, and bird and wildlife sightings. The tour is one of the many incredible offerings on the Great Northern Peninsula.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North @MitchelmoreMHAA Billion+ Reasons to Visit the Town of Flower’s Cove
The Town of Flower’s Cove on the Great Northern Peninsula, is formerly known as French Island Harbour, as it too is steeped in French history and part of the French Shore. Flower’s Cove as it is known today, is the administrative hub of the Straits region with a regional hospital, regional K-12 school, regional community youth centre, community-based daycare centre, non-profit 33 bed personal care facility, retail co-operative, pharmacy, restaurant, B&B, gas station, retail outlets, construction companies, RCMP detachment, banking & financial services, tax services, recreation opportunities, churches, Lion’s club, seniors, youth groups and other organizational clubs.
The Town of Flower’s Cove, working in consultation with the now defunct Nordic Regional Economic Development Board (due to Federal & Provincial budget cuts) had worked on helping Flower’s Cove grow its tourism assets by adding two informational pull-offs that promote the Town’s business community and tourism attractions, as well as a mural and good signage throughout the community. Many of which are depicted below in key chains that are available for sale at the L&E Restaurant:
Flower’s Cove was the home base of Rev’d Canon John Thomas Richards, who was an Anglican minister in the early 1900’s. He operated without a church, but by encourage the women of the community to establish a building fund by making and selling sealskin boots. St. Barnabas Church was built circa 1920 and is known locally as “Sealskin Boot” Church.
Flower’s Island Lighthouse, first lighthouse keeper was Peter Flower, shortly thereafter it was operated by the Lavallee family for decades until automation. The Straits Development Association has developed an interpretation and viewing area, as well as continues to pursue opportunities to develop the area into a working site to add to the Town’s tourism assets. Icebergs are often spotted in the harbour, so have your cameras ready!
Marjorie Burke’s Bridge has been restored and leads to 600 million to 1.2 billion year old thrombolites. These micro-organisms form a clotted bun-like structure that area special find, only in a few places around the world. The calcium carbonate from the limestone rocks create an environment for these unique formations.
The White Rocks Walking Trail is an easy stroll that gives nice views of limestone plains, forested and water areas at a pace for the walker of any age. There are certainly great photo opportunities and resting areas as well. A perfect place for a picnic.
Flower’s Cove may be a tiny town, but there is plenty to see, do and experience! A billion+ reasons to visit on a trek up the Great Northern Peninsula.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North
The Big Land of Labrador – An Angler’s Dream!
Pinware River, Labrador
Labrador has more than 269,000 square kilometers of area, therefore there are no disputes as to why it was coined the “big land”. Although, it has a humble population of just over 26,000 people. This sparsely populated part of the province has immense beauty from landscapes, nature, wildlife and its people. I have driven through parts of Labrador over the years and am astonished each time I visit. Labrador, Canada provides some of the best Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, and Arctic Char fishing in the World! There is no doubt that if you want to have a memorable fishing experience that you may wish to consider planning a trip. As you near the mighty Pinware River in season, you will see an abundance of anglers vying for the big one.
Scenic Labrador
The opening of the Trans-Labrador Highway connects communities as mainland Canada can drive to Labrador City to Goose Bay and now coastal Labrador. A short ferry ride from Blanc Sablon to St. Barbe (1.5 hours) will bring you to the Great Northern Peninsula, where there are also prime fishing rivers, lakes and brooks for the angler. As well as being anchored between L’Anse Aux Meadows World UNESCO Heritage Site, French Shore, Gros Morne National Park and many other attractions.
Experience a Rural Newfoundland and Labrador vacation…start planning now for the 2011 season! It is never to early to experience something wonderful.
Live Rural NL – CCM
