Saturday June 17 - Hiked our brains out. Yesterday we did the Coastal trail, which is 7 kms return, and we also did the Campground Trail (me twice). So that was about 10 k yesterday. Today we did two trails for a total of 15 kms,, most of which was fairly rough terrain, full of roots and rocks (RnR I calls it). The odd thing is the lack of wildlife. Makes you focus on the flora rather than the fauna. Needless to say, we're a little tired this evening, so not much happening since we got back to our site. The other type of RnR was needed.

In the fauna department  we did see a spruce grouse just at the end of the second trail today, and last evening enjoyed watching for an hour two beavers working on their dam. The grouse didn't like having us on the trail, so took off into the woods, but the beavers couldn't have cared less that we were scrutinizing their every move. Fun to watch the male bring a stick or a branch or even a small log to the dam, and then go about placing it just so. His wife just swam around supervising him. My friend Eddie wouldn't have appreciated the scene at all, as the critters are a nuisance to him.

Our first venture of the day, prior to setting off on our hike, took us to a hill upon which was perched a steel frame viewing tower, just where the last wooden firewatchers tower stood until the 80s. Up we went, the equivalent of 3 stories, the reward being a terrific view of the whole area. In the distance to the north, we could clearly see a massive ice flow reaching out from the shoreline from west to east. No way could boats get out to the open sea from the inner harbours in the area. Seems it stretches all the way across the north of the island. Just confirms our thought not to go back west and north, as there's no way to easily get out to see bergs and whales. Also seems the whales are not easily found, as the capelin, their main food source, haven't started to run yet.

Just a little side note. Yesterday after our hike along the Coastal Trail, we stopped at the Information Center. As we had our lunch, we overheard a fellow at the next table mention that he'd lived in Lahr for 6 years. That led to a good discussion about who we might have mutually known, as he and his wife were there from 74 to 80. He worked in Warehouse, and she in the Airfield Cafeteria as civilian support staff. He curled, so it's quite likely we played against each other, as he took part in the Brier that the club organized, playing for PEI. We were representing Ontario, so quite likely played them. He knew Aubrey Millard, one of our staff, and no doubt if we'd sat for the afternoon, many other names would have been shared. Nice coincidence.

We talked to the 'kids' last night, catching them before they climbed into their new hot tub. We now have dates sorted out, so it looks like we won't be home until July 10th, as the earliest that they can get to Cape Breton is likely July 7th, given that daughter Clare flies to New Zealand on the 4th. They'll want to see her off, of course, and then head east. Once we meet, they'll take over the r.v., and we'll drive home in whichever vehicle they arrive in.

So that has become another part of the puzzle as to where we'll go from here. We met a couple from Dundas today who had gone down to the Burin Peninsula, and really liked it. So we'll probably do that after we go to Bonavista tomorrow.  We'll eventually end up in St. John's for awhile, and then do some of the southern areas of the Avalon Peninsula we didn't do last time. This means instead of going back to Port Au Basque, we'll have to change our reservation to the long ferry from Argentia. But things could change. Who knows?

That's it for now. More later. Stay tuned.