The first day out of Churchhill Falls (after we had spent the morning touring the mine and hiking to the falls) we did only a half-day of biking, during the which biking, a very nice hunting guide named Vernon from Maine pulled over in his truck to talk to us. He had some guests from Maryland and they were out fishing and hunting a bear. He invited us to stop in at the lodge he and his father (Charles) run. It happened to be the perfect distance away for us to bike that evening. Charles and Vernon are awesome. I miss them. It was so nice to stay in their cabin there and take a shower and eat a nice meal or two and share some good conversation ; ) That night their guests did get a small black bear and Keith watched them skin it. They are typically a Caribou-hunting outfit (they had never taken anyone to get a bear before then) but because some European dude made a documentary about how the Caribou are becoming endangered because he couldn't find the herd to film them (when the populations is Actually doing just great--that has been confirmed by others we have talked to), new legislation came out to stop the hunting of Caribou for who knows how long.
Trees and Lakes.... others say it's boring "there's Nothing there!" But I found it so beautiful!!! There is so much variation in the trees and waters that I never got bored!!
More 'bares'... this was a big ol' bar.
Second night on our way to Lab. City: we had biked 86 or so miles and it was rainy and we were dripping and cold when we finally found this campground. Walked into the "office" to pay for a patch of grass, when we were welcomed by a warm room of cheerful people telling us to come on in and dry off. They hung our clothes by the fireplace and brought out huge plates of delicious food for us. I was really trying hard not to cry I was so happy and overwhelmed by the hospitality and warmth and kindness we have been met with at every turn in Newfoundland. They let us sleep on the couches in the main cabin. We were also met when we entered with the faces of the two German bikers we had heard about from people on the road for a few weeks! We had finally crossed paths! We had a great time talking about our trips and hanging out. They are the only others we have met who are traveling the direction we are! (We have met many cross-canada bike tourists, but all others have gone West to East, as one is "supposed to"). Hopefully we'll see them again at some point.
Labrador City. A mining town. My 23rd birthday.
July 1st. Waiting to catch the train down to Sept-Isle. Cavelle (who runs the campground) gave us these hats to wear for Canada Day. Yeah, we biked in them.
Classic.
Hanging out in the wilderness with massive construction equipment.
The seven-hour train ride WAS beautiful! (Keith took these pictures leaning out one of the side doors...)
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