September 10 - Trout River, NL

Odometer - 25091.2

Departed St. Anthony in overcast, misty 9oC weather, and headed on the final part of our tour down the west side of Newfoundland. Moose season opened, lots of hunters out and several had already gotten their moose. They cleaned them beside the road. At Port aux Choix, we pulled in and saw the lighthouse. Quite barren, and we visited their museum - it is an archeological site for several different peoples. They were already closing the place down for the season, and it was still windy and overcast. just down the road, we spotted folks looking in a field- looked over and were treated to the sight of a small herd of caribou. The road is along the shore, with the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the west- not the dramatic cliffs of eastern Newfoundland.

Further down the road, we pulled into The Arches Provincial Park, where waves eroded sandstone from around bedrock, creating a series of about 4 arches. There were also a lot of the tuckamore trees- pines which are growing close to the ground and bent due to the wind. Not too far beyond the provincial park was Lobster Cove Lighthouse - part of Gros Morne National Park. It had lots of photos of people who lived in the area from 1900 to 1970's. The light house is still operational, so not permitted upstairs. Several good hiking trails in the area and great views of the bay. Went around the bay to the south side of the park, and drove to the far end of the road, which is the Trout River campground. The temperature is supposed to drop, so tonight we built a campfire and toasted marshmallows. Clear sky, bright full moon with the Tablelands rock formation in the distance. Snuggled up in our down sleeping bags - will let you know how cold it got in the morning.