Mister and Lady: A Change in the Big Adventure - Port Day

After being on the ship for more than five days, we are all ready for our feet to touch land. I have nothing but admiration for those who sailed the seas for months on end. I'm not sure I could do it very well, even in this luxury liner, I am bored out of my mind. Time to walk and explore a bit. We are arriving in Corner Brook, Newfoundland today and since this is an all-new area for us, I am excited. Mister and I had wanted to come here a few years ago, but wanted to go in October and had the sense that nothing would still be open. Now, we can check it out and decide if we wish to return by car. The approach to land is amazing --- watch along with us.

Isn't this dreamy? It's as if the clouds have draped themselves over the land. Mister is wandering with his camera and I'm just mixing the pics in. You can usually tell his.

The sun is trying to come out and my fingers are crossed.

I have wandered as high as I can get to take pictures and found the mini-golf course in the process. It is crazy windy and cold up here so I'm all alone.

But the view is amazing.

The pilot boat arrives and we are boarded by a navigator to take us into port. I didn't realize they did this - all these years I though the boat just led the way.

Having dropped off its passenger - away they go.

Ahhh - here comes Corner Brook.

We have a room on the docking side this time so get to watch the whole process from our balcony.

And just like that -- we are off to explore this community. Corner Brook has a population of around 20,000, so it's kind of like wandering around Montana towns.

They have their act together here and a free shuttle is available to take us right into the downtown area. Perfect. We time it just right and are on our way. The first thing that catches my eye is this monument. It is a 20' tall granite base is topped by a sculpture of a mourning caribou standing on a rock outcrop, created by Morgan MacDonald. The mourning caribou was selected in 1914 as is the symbol of Royal Newfoundland Regiment. It is a copy of the mourning caribou sculpture located at Beaumont Hamel, France, the near the site of the World War I battle in which the Royal Newfoundland Regiment displayed great gallantry during the Battle of the Somme. The monument was dedicated on July 1, 2012 and reads, "To the proud memory of those men of western newfoundland who in past years of battle have gone forth to die in the service of their sovereign and their country.

Across the street is a church with doors wide open and welcoming. Let's go see. It is The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and a part of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Upon approach, this gate is the first stop. Without standing in the street, I have to get a picture on the other side. It is called and Lych Gate and was guilt circa 1938, some 3 years after the Church of St. John the Evangelist was consecrated. Built in the traditional English style, this gate is the oldest of only a few surviving Lych Gates in Newfoundland and Labrador. The word lych comes from the old English word for corpse. During a funeral procession, the dead were carried to the Lych Gate and laid on a bier, or platform, to await the priest, who conducted the first part of the burial service there. A Lych Gate was also a prominent feature in a wedding. Children tied the gate shut with ribbons, and the bride and groom had to pay the children in order to pass through the gate and leave the church. Lych Gates also symbolize the passing from unconsecrated to consecrated ground. This Lych Gate originally had traditional iron gates of which only the hinges remain. It still stands as an entrance to the church, a place of rest and refuge, and a reminder of past traditions.

Scenes from inside -

One of the things we read about while researching Corner Brook is something they call the Stream Trail. We've decided to pick it up at the Park Street Entrance and see where it will take us. The sign says .5 km to the pond. Let's go down the stairs and get started.

It is beautiful walking along the path.

Little bits of city peek in now and then.

The Glynmill Inn. THIS is the place to stay when we return if we don't do AirBNB.

We've come back uphill to get to this point and now, it's back down to the trail. This time it is the Glynmill Inn Pond Entrance.

This sandbag wall is growing --- pretty cool. This trail system is on the private property of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited. We saw the mill as we arrived into port. The park is for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of Corner Brook and visitors to the beautiful city and province.

Out on the pond, I spot swans.

The park is lovely and we are so enjoying the walk.

Crossing the Stream Trail Creek.

Gotta say - this is one cool system of roots. I think a hobbit or elf lives here.

Veering off the trail for an attempt at the James Cook Historic Site, we now make a stop at the BEST NAMED coffee shop. However, they are closed and have moved to a new location. Drat.

Oh well, let's give this a try. It's a dang long ways away.

After 45 minutes of walking, I give up and turn around. I should have gotten the tour or gone to the site first, but for now --- it's time to find food. We actually run into Kelly and Shonie on our way to beer, but they are busy thrift shopping. As we head back into town, we pass this site - I'm going to have to do some research on Wilfred Grenfell.

We've found Bootleg Brew Co., but, unfortunately, they do not open until 3 this afternoon. Seems a bit odd with a cruise ship in town, but . . . On the bright side, they have two breweries here.

Boomstick Brewing Co. is just across the street and down a couple of blocks. What is a boom stick? You may think weapon, but would be wrong in this case. It is any of the timbers chained end to end to form a boom in logging. The logo is a small boat attached to the floating boom.

Wonderful selection. I haven't had a beer since Baltimore and am looking forward to this. My choice? Guess. Okay - I'll have the Townsite and it turns out it is on nitro as a bonus. Yum. Mister has the Passionfruit Sour.

As we sit down, this grunter is placed in front of us with two glasses of ice. Yep, it is a personal water bottle and I'm thrilled. What a great idea and EVERY table and spot in the bar is given one. LOVE it. The back of it has this to say: Grunter Guidelines: Drink, sip, or gulp our finely crafted beverage with 24 to 72 hours after filling (YES, you can buy beer and take it home this way). Enjoy. Every. Moment. When grunter is empty, feel free to wallow a moment (fabulous) on the finite joys of life. Then, rinse out thoroughly with warm water three times, and leave upside down to drain. But not too long --- once dry, head down to Boomstick Brewing Co. for a refill. We'll be waiting with another great brew. AND - just so you know --- this beer is amazing and perfect. We also order some fish and chips (which I neglected to get a picture of) and Mister proclaims them the best fish and chips he has ever had. Go Boomstick.

A quick walk to the end of the street nets me this mural -

The Corner Brook sign -

And a cute gazebo. At this point we are supposed to meet Kelly and Shonie at the Bunker to get Screeched In. I pick up Mister and we are soon on our way.

Well, a timing snafu happens (seriously - did you even know that some places, the time difference is 1/2 an hour?), Kelly and Shonie have returned to the ship a bit early so Mister and I are alone to do the Screeching In.

Well --- after saying some bizarre words, kissing a fish, and taking a shot of run, we are official Newfoundlanders. Hey - here's another fun fact. It is pronounced New Found Land (not new fund lund) - who knew? Now, I'm practicing it over and over to get it in my head correctly.

That's it --- we are about out of time and no shuttle for us this round. It's off to the ship on foot. There she is.

Love this sign - cos the big boat isn't enough of a giveaway.

A stop outside at one of the shops and I see this picture. This is now on my list of places to go when we return. This is Little Port - one of the pretties harbors on the island (did you know we were on an island?). The high cliffs on both sides of the tiny harbor provide a protected inlet from the rough waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (which we are sailing in). Colorful traditional dories on the boat ramp are a testament to the bravery of the fishermen who leave the protection of this little port to head into open waters to fish. Gotta go there.