After a good night's sleep-we slept in a bit- we walked over to Mickey D's across the road for breakfast. I can't get over how friendly people are here. You would have thought we were part of the community with the greetings we got in the restaurant as other people came in. It's also hard to get used to people stopping for us as we try to walk across the highway.
We were on the road by 10am. Our first stop was the Tourist Information Centre which was staffed by a young person who probably knew less than we did about Labrador. We did get a few brochures, though, and started out on Highway #500 after getting gas.
Our targetted stop today in Churchill Falls, which is almost halfway down the Labrador Highway. The road is completely paved, and is less interesting than yesterday in that it is mostly flat and straight. The hills are not as high or as steep as we experienced yesterday.
We have noticed that probably 85% of the vehicles here are trucks, and the colour du jour is dark blue. All makes, but dark blue.
Our first stop was a side road that we thought had a small walk to some rapids, but it turned out the path took us right down to the river, but the overgrowth did not give us a view of the water.
Back on the highway, it became painfully clear the effects of fire on the forest. We drove several km of burned trees which were just starting their regrowth. As a result, the scenery was more open today, partly because of the previous fires, and also because of what appear to be natural meadows.
Of note.. on our whole trip so far, we have not seen any wildlife. In fact, on this road, there were not even signs warning us of wildlife. Come to think of it, there really weren't very many signs at all. No billboard, no direction signs, no information signs.. only the occasional distance to sign.
At one point, we stopped for an orange, and were immediately surrounded by huge horseflies and other flying creatures. I think I have found my nemesis. Give me a spider anytime!
About 30km out of Churchill Falls, we stopped at a sign indicating a "Bowden Canyon Nature Trail" to the waterfall - Churchill Falls. We had heard that it was a walk well worth taking, although it was estimate 2km one way. We set out, hearts high. The path started out graveled and wide and quite easy to maneuver. That was just a lure to get further along the path. It soon changed to narrow and rocky, with many overgrown roots. In general, the path is not well maintained and the stairs and boardwalks had missing sections. Along the path were some viewpoints which gave spectacular views of the canyon and the tip of the falls. Finally reaching the end, we were quite disappointed to find that the trees had greatly overgrown, and you could barely see the falls through the trees. Bob managed to take a few shots by holding the camera high above his head. On the way back, we met a young woman and what looked like maybe her brother going into the area with their dog. They returned and passed us while we were still on the trail returning to our car. Ahhh..youth! Guess it shows how old we actually are getting.
Arriving at Churchill Falls, we walked into the only hotel in town, to find that their rooms were completely sold out, and the next hotel was in Happy Valley - 290km down the road. We must have looked pretty discouraged (or maybe it was because I said she could give us a bed in a broom closet), because she suggested we have a long dinner and she would try and get hold of her boss. Just as we were finishing, she came over and said she had not been able to get him, but she was going to give us a room anyway. Oh... and the room we have! I don't think this room gets rented very much. The screws on The security latch on the door are falling out. There are four 8ft 2lamp T12s in the ceiling - only one has a lens, one is completely not functioning, and one is dim/flickering. (For those unfamiliar, T12 lamps are completely outdated and the ballasts are not available anymore). There is one switch that turns on all the lights, and, apparently, most of the plugs. (the desk lamp and plug only work when ALL the lights are on - not very helpful for charging things overnight). The beds are actually roll-away cots. It really is all too funny, but at least we have a room!
I have a call in to get in on a morning tour of the power plant, but have not heard back, so I suspect that's not going to happen.
Tomorrow we go to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. We have prebooked our hotel romm at Hotel North through the deskclerk here - but when I looked online, it appears that there are actually two Hotel Norths in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This should be fun
Nite all. Talk to you all again tomorrow.
Hotel: Height of Land Hotel
Temp: Sunny and comfortable - 23c
Distance: 250km
Mileage: 7.3 L/100km
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