Springdale and Rocky Harbor

We are now in Springdale and the weather is not cooperating. It’s not raining but is more of a very heavy mist. The rain was on and off all the way here so it was kind of suckey travelling. After we got here and all set up and settled in, we travelled to the Riverwood Inn, a five-star resort right on the water. We went downstairs for dinner, a screech-in and entertainment. Now dinner I know you can understand. It was probably the best chicken dinner I’ve ever had…definitely a “ten”. We then had some guy walk into the room all dressed in oilskins and carrying an oar.


The "Screech-in" ceremony

He told us stories and cracked Newfie jokes and was great entertainment. He then asked for six “volunteers” to act as representatives for the group to be “screeched” into being honorary Newfoundlanders. I was the first one up!

Now…Screech is a liquor, traditionally a very potent Jamaican rum that was brought back from Jamaica in molasses barrels. It’s the sort of traditional Newfie drink, just like Yukon Jack is the drink up in Alaska…or should I say OVER in Alaska since we are up about the same latitude as Alaska right now. Anyway, the gentleman in oilskins had us up front, on the floor, kneeling. He then presented us with some hardtack (hard bread) that we had had to “reconstitute” in our mouths. Next, we were handed a smoked and dried capelin to eat. Some of the sneakier volunteers stashed the fish in their back pockets. I, however, playing square, took two bites, albeit small bites, before we were told “that’s enough”. Next, we had to recite the Newfoundland Screech pledge words, “Long may your big jib draw” which, translated into the American dialect means “smooth sailing”. We then had the toss a shot glass of Screech back in one gulp. I did as instructed. All I can say is “Holy S**t”! I’ve had “151” rum before but this stuff is pure unadulterated firewater. WOW!!!!!! However, we all passed. One of the girls didn’t quite finish hers off to where the cup was dry so she had to drink another. Poor baby! We were then awarded or Screeching certificates and we are now to be known as “Honorary Newfoundlanders”. After the ceremony, we all came home to sleep soundly…some sounder than the others!

The next day, we were picked up by a bus and taken on a tour of Springdale. Now, Springdale has one main road which is about two miles long with turn-arounds at each end. A couple of other roads branch off the main road and go to the waterfront. That’s it! We first went to a historical house full of photographs and stuffed animals. We then did the waterfront and then headed for “Rattling Brook Falls”, an 800-foot waterfall reached by 204 near-vertical steps.


Steps to the waterfall

Rattling Brook Falls

My legs are still shaking two days later! We then went to a potter’s shed and a restaurant for “coffee and buns”, after which we returned to the park. It was a good day!

Today, Friday the 8th, we headed for Gros Morne (Rocky Harbor) for a three-day stay. The travel was uneventful and we arrived around noonish. At 1:30, everyone headed for the National Park Visitor’s Center to get the lay of the land and a few ideas for what to do for the next two days. Claudia and I did the V.C and then toured the town, from the fishing pier to the Lobster Cove Head lighthouse.

Lobster Cove Lighthouse

Returning to the rig, I broke out the propane cooker and a large Dutch oven and helped Claudia cook up some fried chicken. Dinner tonight consisted of absolutely delicious fried chicken, creamed corn, seasoned rice and butter pecan ice cream for dessert. We continue to eat well on this trip!

Speaking of eating well, as I was helping with dinner and it was time to feed Valentino. Now, Val is a really sweet little fish with LOTS of personality as I have spelled out in past blogs. He really loves me! Every time I come near him, he wiggles and flares and carries on, just happy as hell to see me. He is really a sweet little beta! Now, as the afternoon approached, I got up to his bowl and talked to him, asking if he was ready for a treat. He wiggled that he was! I uncorked his favorite food, freeze-dried blood worms, and put three in his bowl. He didn’t see them at first so I put my finger in the bowl and wiggled it above where the worms were floating. He then turned and swam lovingly toward the worms and then the little son of a bitch jumped up and bit my finger! That ungrateful little pile of smelly fins and scales actually bit the hand that fed him. He is now on full probation!

We have two more days here at Gros Morne. Both days are “Free Days” except that tomorrow morning the staff (us) will be preparing breakfast for the group. Breakfast will consist of biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs. On Monday we head for St. Anthony for two days, then one day at St. Barbe and then an overnight to Labrador. The Labrador trip will be by ferry and we will leave the rigs in Newfoundland and stay in a hotel for the one night.

It’s cocktail time and I must go. Sea y’all later!