Newfoundland - Travelling

We are up early today and made our way from St. John's to Cornerbrook. Given the weather we have been having we didn't want to plan a drive all the way from St. John's to Channel-Port in one day. As it turns out the weather was cooperating and we could have made it all the way. However, we have many more driving days ahead of us.. so stopping early before we are tired of driving is not a bad idea.

We got into Cornerbrook mid day and found that the city is a nice little city. Located on the Bay of Islands at the mouth of the Humber River, the city is the fifth-largest population centre in the province behind St.

John's, and smallest of three cities behind St. John's and Mount Pearl. The area was originally four distinct communities, each with unique commercial activities: Curling, with its fishery; Corner Brook West (also known as Humber West or Westside) with its retail businesses; Corner Brook East (also known as Humbermouth and the Heights) with its railway and industrial operations; and Townsite (known as Corner Brook), home to the employees of the pulp and paper mill. In 1956, these four communities were amalgamated to form the present-day City of Corner Brook.

Corner Brook is home to the Corner Brook Pulp & Paper Mill (owned by Kruger Inc.), which is a major employer for the region. The city has the largest regional hospital in western Newfoundland.

We called it a night fairly early and set the alarm for the next morning to start our trek to Channel-Port and our ferry crossing.

We both were up early the next morning, so we got packed up and started our journey towards the ferry at Channel-Port. Our ferry leaves at 11:45 and they ask that you arrive 2 hours before the ferry departure. All vehicles are screened leaving Newfoundland for farm produce and soil or seeds. If they know that you have been travelling on farmland they will go to the effort of washing your vehicle and undercarriage prior to leaving the island. I am not sure if that is to protect Newfoundland or the other areas surrounding it.

The weather was reasonable and we travelled much quicker than anticipated to Channel-Port. With enough time to spare we took a side trip on the way and headed to Cape Ray. A wonderful morning for a walk with Roxy and to watch the sun peaking into the sky.
Roxy had a great run around the Cape and a nice walk at the ferry terminal.

Last time we took the crossing we reserved a kennel space on the upper deck of the ferry. If you place your pet in the kennel space you can visit them and take them out of their kennel for brief periods. The last crossing was quite cool and every time we went to visit her she couldn't understand why she couldn't leave with us. Loud bangs, wind, rocking and a number of other strange things made her very nervous and upset. This time we decided to keep her in her kennel inside the car for the crossing. At least it is a space she is use to, where she can curl up and feel safe. A few stress tabs 4 days prior to the crossing and keeping her in the car seemed to help decrease her overall stress and uncertainty in strange environments.

We got into Sydney in good time. Fuel the car, have some dinner and talk Roxy for another walk is a good way to end the day. We have one full day tomorrow to explore Cape Breton. I look forward to seeing more of the area.