Today we made our way over to Tera Nova National Park. The Trans Canada Highway actually cuts right through the park. First stop was the visitors center. The rangers had good suggestions of baby-backpack friendly trails. (One even played peek-a-boo with her from behind the counter!) We first did the portion of the Coastal Trail (the second potion was closed for trail work). We enjoyed views of the Newman Sound as we strolled through the forest. Autumn enjoyed a lovely backpack nap (this is becoming a thing for her). We then enjoyed a nice picnic lunch behind the visitors center on the waterfront. There were several whale skeletons to check out and really gives you an appreciation for how large the whales we saw in days past actually are. We walked around on the dock and saw tons of Lions Mane Jellyfish in the water.
https://gfycat.com/CluelessOpenIguanodon
Back in the visitors center we checked out the “petting tank” that had starfish, crabs, urchins, cucumbers, etc. Autumn enjoyed watching the critters move around in the pool. The water was piped in from the sound outside and was FRIGID!
We also learned about the Moose population being out of control on the island. (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/np-pn/sf-fh/terranova/lgde-sm.aspx). (Side note: coyotes came over via ice from Labrador…also wreaking havoc: http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/all_species/coyotes.html). Interesting ecosystems develop on islands. Before leaving, the park warden approached us and asked for our address, so he could send Autumn some Parks Canada goodies. How cool!
Hike #2 of the day was Sandy Pond.
https://gfycat.com/MajorJollyIcterinewarbler
What a gem! It was an easy 3 km stroll around a beautiful pond and bog. Tons of wild blueberries all along the trail! Autumn enjoyed backpack hike #2 of the day. Unlike the frigid ocean waters, Sandy Pond is a really shallow inland body of water, so it was swimmable, but didn’t come prepared for swimming. We saw some cool frogs in the bog on the walk back to the car.
https://gfycat.com/DimImperturbableAsianelephant
We drove to our B&B in Gander, had dinner at a kid-friendly place and settled in for the night at the B&B with some local beer. On to Twillingate tomorrow!
