The Arches

2010.08.30

On our way South down the West coast highway (and there is no East coat highway) of the Northern Peninsula, we stopped by the Arches Provincial Park. It's more of a scenic view stop with picnic tables.

The unusual arches formation is the result of the usual multi hundred million geologic forces that erode mountains, but also recent glaciers that fractured and toppled chunks of a mountain. Since the last ice age and the relative dropping of the sea level, wave action has excavated the weaker rock from underneath. Very pretty site!

Continuing South we once again entered Gros Morne National Park.

We stopped by a coastal ship wreck. The SS (steam ship) Ethie ran aground and broke apart in a fierce storm in December of 1919. Fortunately, none of the 92 passengers and crew lost their lives in the icy waters. While the hull has corroded and been washed away, thicker chunks of steel are still strewn about. There is ballad about this wreck.

After being away for a week or so, we revisited the Gros Morne's visitor center. This time we watched the movie about the park which was quite good. Some of the aerial photography can't be matched by anything seen from the ground.

We drove all around Bonnie Bay to the South section of the park. The section of road on the high plateau is treeless and reminds one of a place like Arizona.

We stayed overnight "off the grid" at the park's Trout River campground.

Odometer reads 68,514.