From an Idea to Packing......Lots in Between

Why Newfoundland? is a reasonable question. After trips to Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Maine and points in-between, Newfoundland seemed like the next destination for a summer trip. I have been fascinated with Newfoundland (NL) since I was a kid. A place where you can see whales and icebergs during the same kayak paddle, a place where the cliffs are 2,000 feet tall (by comparison, the Pictured Rocks in Michigan’s UP are 200 feet), a place that has a half hour time zone, a place with some of the most beautiful coastal hikes on the planet. Seems like we should check that out, plus we can take Bessy there!

             I’m not sure when we first had the idea to go to NL but it was in July of 2025 that we bought ferry tickets and committed to the trip. We leave Wixom, MI June 6, and our first stop of interest will be Quebec City, followed Truro Nova Scotia (NS) and Hallifax NS.  Next, we load everything onto the ferry in North Sidney, NS for a 7 hour ride to NL. We will be traveling counterclockwise around NL and spending time in the following areas; Gros Morne National Park, Saint Antony, Twillingate/Bonavista Peninsula, Terra Nova National Park, and St. John’s. Then it’s back on the ferry to NS. This time it will take 16 hours for the crossing. After we get off the ferry we head home via the shortest route and plan to be back August 10^th.

            We have an itinerary that includes all our lodging. We will be staying at 18 different places, from 1 to 9 nights each. Our campsites are vastly different; some are beautiful ocean front locations while others are more like parking lots. The reservation process for campsites was long and often very frustrating, but patience and perseverance got us an itinerary that seems like it will work. I could, and might, write a post about campsite reservations in NL.

            It’s almost the first of May and we are ready to make lists, many lists. Packing and equipment preparation awaits. Thanks for reading and stay tuned.