We spent this past weekend on the Bonavista Peninsula! Unfortunately, there was an unexpected power outage for 6 hours during the day on Saturday, so that modified our fairly vague plans. It also made us realize how tough it is to be a tourist when there is no electricity and all of the businesses in a community shut down! Luckily we had some beautiful weather and were still able to take advantage of the great outdoors.
On the Skerwink Trail
After work on Friday, we drove to Bonavista which is 3.5 hours from St. John's. It usually isn't a great idea to be driving on the highway in Newfoundland at dusk, due to the local moose population, but it is definitely worth it when you see sunsets like this one:
Although arriving in a new community after dark did pose its challenges and we struggled to find our "efficiency unit" for a while. We figured that we could follow the highway straight to Robbins By the Sea, but the road seemed to stop and start in a few places, and we missed the continuation. That was just the beginning of difficulty navigating the Bonavista peninsula due to lack of signage.
The next day, right before we were about to leave, the power went out. We stayed in our room for a bit, but after half an hour with no power we decided to look into some of the outdoor attractions of the area, so we made our way to Dungeon Provincial Park. The main feature is a dungeon which was created by a collapsed sea cave, carved into archways by the waves. It was incredible and the views were stunning.
The next day, right before we were about to leave, the power went out. We stayed in our room for a bit, but after half an hour with no power we decided to look into some of the outdoor attractions of the area, so we made our way to Dungeon Provincial Park. The main feature is a dungeon which was created by a collapsed sea cave, carved into archways by the waves. It was incredible and the views were stunning.
We could see the Cape Bonavista lighthouse from the park, so we headed there next. Unfortunately the power still hadn't come on, so we were stuck exploring outside. We enjoy exploring, but it would have been nice to get some more history about this lighthouse, especially since it is a Provincial Historic Site.
It was at this point that we realized exactly how tough it is to be a tourist or visitor to a community when there is a power outage. Nothing was open. We were lucky that we had some snacks in a cooler, so we weren't too concerned by the fact that all of the shops, restaurants, and cafés were closed - we were just hoping that they would reopen by dinner time.
Although we weren't planning to go to Trinity until Sunday, we decided to drive there to hike the Skerwink Trail, and we were so glad that we did! The 5.3 km trail goes right along the coast and provides great views the entire way along, especially the views of Trinity and Port Rexton near the end.
Although we weren't planning to go to Trinity until Sunday, we decided to drive there to hike the Skerwink Trail, and we were so glad that we did! The 5.3 km trail goes right along the coast and provides great views the entire way along, especially the views of Trinity and Port Rexton near the end.
We made our way back to Bonavista and the power came back on as soon as we got back, around 4 pm. But it took a while for businesses to open, and most museums didn't open at all at Saturday. So we just got supper at a local café and hung out on the back deck of our unit, which had a great view of the ocean.
Sunday was a big day in terms of trying to see a bunch of attractions in both Bonavista and Trinity. We started off at Ye Matthew Legacy, where they have a replica of the ship, Matthew, that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Bonavista, when he discovered it in 1497. In 1997, a replica of the ship was built and crew members recreated Cabot's voyage, by sailing across the Atlantic to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the trip. It's interesting to us because it turns out that both of us saw that replica of the Matthew, on opposite sides of the pond. Unfortunately, the replica which is currently on display in Bonavista was actually built there, and the other replica returned to Bristol last year.
Sunday was a big day in terms of trying to see a bunch of attractions in both Bonavista and Trinity. We started off at Ye Matthew Legacy, where they have a replica of the ship, Matthew, that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Bonavista, when he discovered it in 1497. In 1997, a replica of the ship was built and crew members recreated Cabot's voyage, by sailing across the Atlantic to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the trip. It's interesting to us because it turns out that both of us saw that replica of the Matthew, on opposite sides of the pond. Unfortunately, the replica which is currently on display in Bonavista was actually built there, and the other replica returned to Bristol last year.
We also tried to see the Mockbeggar Plantation, but it was closed in the morning, so we just spent some time outside the historic site. We then went to the Ryan Premises/Bonavista Museum and learned about the history of the fishery in Newfoundland.
After lunch at Skipper's restaurant, we drove to Catalina and Trinity to take in some sights there before driving back to town. The main purpose of going to Catalina was to see Elizabeth's great-grandparents headstones and to drive around the community where her grandfather grew up. It was a quick trip, but a good one.
In Trinity, we went to the three Provincial Historic Sites: the Trinity Visitor Centre, the Mercantile Premises, and Hiscock House. The Mercantile Premises was the location for three merchant families over 150 years, and is done up in the style of an 1820s counting house, as well as an early 1900s shop.
After lunch at Skipper's restaurant, we drove to Catalina and Trinity to take in some sights there before driving back to town. The main purpose of going to Catalina was to see Elizabeth's great-grandparents headstones and to drive around the community where her grandfather grew up. It was a quick trip, but a good one.
In Trinity, we went to the three Provincial Historic Sites: the Trinity Visitor Centre, the Mercantile Premises, and Hiscock House. The Mercantile Premises was the location for three merchant families over 150 years, and is done up in the style of an 1820s counting house, as well as an early 1900s shop.
Hiscock House is the house that Emma Hiscock lived in with her children. She was a widowed entrepreneur in Trinity, and the house is restored to its 1910 glory. Throughout the ages, Emma rented out parts of the house to the post office and the bank in order to support her family. The house was well done and reminded us of Commissariat House in St. John's.
Afterwards, we walked around picturesque Trinity for a bit before driving home. Here are some more pictures from our weekend!
