Rocky Harbour and Norris Point

 August 7, 2023

Gros Morne RV CG site 62

Rocky Harbour, NL

The day began on a very positive note....even if it did mean an early start.  Momma had tried to get tickets to a show that they heard about but they were on a wait-list.  She got an email that tickets were available but with poor wifi, Dad drove her to a better location while in Twillingate to get reception, only to find out that someone else had snapped up those tickets and they were back on the wait-list.  She called the ticket office and was told, her best bet was 8am Monday morning so Aunt Carol and Momma zipped up to the ticket office this morning and sure enough, they got tickets for tonight for Anchors Aweigh. 

Mission accomplished.

It was a morning with early day drizzle that cleared so they began the day at Bonne Bay Aquarium and Research Station in nearby Norris Point.  

What a great facility for students, teachers and researchers.  The right side in the photo is the rooming those afore mentioned indiviuals while the left side has a collection of marine habitat on display.  Some donated by fishermen and some collected by researchers, but all will be released after a short stay at the aquarium.  And the location is right on the bay.

This college student was the guide for the tour, sharing information about the collection currently housed in tanks.

Sea urchins have a rather unique look.

Uncle Steve said this guy was just plain ugly.

Momma had never seen a starfish this color before

rather than this typical color.

Lobster dinner anyone?

You have to look closely to see this disguised flounder.

There where many more on display and our guide told us about each one before wrapping up at the touch tank.

Can you guess who is holding the starfish?

The next stop was at Jeanniex House, an old saltbox house that was moved to it's current location and turned into a museum and gift shop.  

And what a location....what views!!

The gift shop had a variety of locally crafted items for sale including Rose Hip Jelly and Squashberry Jelly.  You can see the Rose Hips growing in the photo above, although they aren't quite ripe yet.  They also had mummering dolls. 

Mummering is a Newfoundland Christmas time tradition where you disguise yourself and go house visiting your neighbors who will try to guess who you are and then feed you goodies.  It's a social custom.

Further up the road, the gang's next stop was Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse.

Due to the terrain around the lighthouse, it was difficult to get close to the lighthouse itself, but the keepers cottage had been turned into a museum with informative posters sharing history and reproduction items to demonstrate what would have been in the keepers home.

A few more gift shops were visited, but Jeanniex House was where the most items were purchased.

The gang decided to enjoy dinner at the Anchor Pub, where the evening entertainment was being held.

 The show was scheduled to being at 8, and when the gang had stopped in earlier in the day to reserve their seating, they were asssured that if they arrived around 6:45, there would be plenty of time to enjoy their meal before the show.  With a full house, it took a while for their waitress to make her way to the table.  Then it took even longer for the food to come out of the kitchen.  At 7:45, the meals were delivered but the food wasn't finished before the lights were turned down and the show began.  

Everyone agreed, it was definitely a good decision to be persistent in trying to secure tickets to the show.  It was a hit with everyone!  The entertainers were of high quality and performed a delightful evening of music and witty commentary.

 A great finish to another fantastic day in Newfoundland.

I'm Chloe