Across Canada: Week Four: August 8 - 11, 2023 Ferry ride, Cape St. Mary's, Cataract Falls

 

view from the KOA campsite near North Sydney - another grey day

(8 Aug Tuesday) We spent the day at the KOA campsite doing laundry and relaxing. Drove into North Sydney to buy Gravol and pressure bands for the upcoming ferry ride. A storm coming in had us a wee bit apprehensive about seasickness. 

(9 Aug Wednesday) Rain poured down all morning. We hung out at the campsite until noon. Tim put the bicycles into the trailer, surrounding them with cardboard and tarps. By doing this we saved a considerable amount on the ferry cost. The bike rack went into the back of the Tahoe. We put ice into the fridge since there would be no gas or electricity during the scheduled 16-hour ferry ride. 

We had made reservations several months in advance. Even then we were waitlisted for a cabin, and were able to get one. I'd highly recommend a cabin, especially given the trip we had.

Then off to lunch at Betty's Home Style Cooking in North Sydney. Good fish and shrimp, but vegetables aren't high on the menus, we found. 

We received word from the ferry that our sailing might be delayed due to the weather, however, loading would proceed as scheduled. We lined up at 2:30, loaded around 4:30 and didn't set sail until 10 pm. On the boat we settled our stuff into our cabin and had dinner at the buffet around 7:30. 

We were on deck when the ferry pulled away from the dock and it didn't take long before we could feel the swells building. The captain announced that it would be a rough sailing. Off to our cabin where we rolled along with the ship all night long. Tim had taken Gravol and took more. I made do with the pressure bands.

I got up at 8:30 am and had a shower. I staggered like a drunken sailor compensating for the motion of the boat. When we went up for breakfast (tea and toast) we saw many people, including crew, looking very bedraggled. It was rough, alright!

We disembarked at Argentia around 1:30 pm. Tim put the bikes back onto the back of the trailer while I made a quick lunch. 

Someone recommended Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve as a great place to visit. Although not directly on the route to St. John's, it was a fascinating place to visit. 

Gannets, Murres, and Kittiwakes were the birds still here when we visited. A short walk along the cliff top led to a spot where we could look directly down and across to the nesting birds.  They swirled all around, diving, wheeling, crying. It was amazing. 

The Murres on the rocks were numerous, but with binoculars one saw hundreds of them on the water far below. 

No fences or guardrails meant for great views and accessibility, but one needs to be careful and pay attention to the signage. 

Beautiful green-blue water with creamy white waves breaking against the rocks. 

We spent the night in the Cape St. Mary parking lot. A couple of other trailers were there, too. The mournful lighthouse horn kept us company during the night, but didn't bother our sleep. 

(11 Aug Friday) After a wonderful night's sleep (no waves) we headed for St. John's, taking a short unplanned detour along the way. 

A planned stop was Cataract Park Falls, for a little walk and some pretty scenery.