#29 Woody Point
Saturday July 13,
2019
These signs show up
frequently along the road. Some show the
moose with his foot on the car. I bought
a shirt with the sign and foot on the car.
Today started with a
stop at Southeast Brook Falls. The bugs
were thick, so Lynn and I declined the short hike. Thank you Jay for photos!
When Derrille got out
of the car, the people just returning from the hike said “Oh, University of
Washington! We are alums! They got there
masters at the UW. Then he proceeded to
teach math at Olympic College for a short time.
Maybe in the 80’s… She needs an
ankle fusion so we talked about that too.
Of course we were standing, talking and batting bugs!
Today’s excursion
plan took us around the bay and directly across from our campground at Norris
Point. Several tiny villages sit near the water’s edge.
Woody Point looks quaint and inviting. Had we been shoppers, we would have explored the little stores.
While driving through
town we spotted this gorgeous garden.
Molly’s place had
lots of cars parked on the road.
Even the street sides
looked special. Every one displayed the lighthouse next to the name of the street.
Up the hill from
Woody Point you can find the Discovery Center, another Visitor Center for Gros
Morne. The information inside told of
the story of the evolution of our planet.
I would need to visit a few more times or take a class to fully
comprehend all of the information here.
It told of an ancient
supercontinent of Rodinia and an ancient
ocean called Iapetus Ocean. The sand
from that ocean now cemented makes up the top of Gros Morne Mountain.
Bob Stevens one of
the most respected geologists studying the rocks of western Newfoundland proved
what had previously just been a theory.
He identified the Tablelands as rock from the Earth’s mantle and was the
first to describe it as being part of an ancient plate tectonic event. His work helped establish Gros Morne as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. I thought I
had a picture of Bob, but can’t find it.
When geologists
applied and tested plate tectonics at Gros More it marked a major shift in
understanding how the Earth changes. They talk about the tearing apart of a
super continent, the birth and death of an ocean and the building of a mountain
chain as continents collide.
When the plates
collide, the oceanic lithosphere usually drops into the mantle. But here the
slab was bulldozed to the top of the continent on was becoming part of the
young Appalachian Mountains. Through millions of years of erosion the mountain
now reveals the ocean crust and mantle rocks we see here today. Hopefully I got the information correct.
The Discovery Center
had a series of cubes showing various researchers at work. They showed an Archaeologist, Botanist, Geomorphologist who studies wind, Geologist, Wildlife Biologist, Marine Biologist, and one with the Explorer James Cook. They had a comical twist to their
occupation. I loved the
wildlife biologist listening for the bear who is trying its best to hide. I would have liked to photograph them all, but the cubes and windows caused all kinds of reflections.
What vividly became
apparent were the usually green hillsides against the brown one.
We stopped at the
Tablelands trail head. As we crossed the bog land a field of Pitcher Plants
appeared. This carnivorous plant is a
National flower here. Insects go into
the bulb and then can’t come out.
The mantle area is
rocky and brown to golden in places.
Derrille and Jay
hiked up the trail. Thank you Jay for the photos!
Lynn and I only
walked about half way and then we waited for the guys to return. While waiting we talked with some interesting
people. A couple of guys from New
Brunswick by way of California chatted a bit.
Another couple who gave the impression of traveling from China, were
actually from New Jersey.
Over the mountain and
down the other side takes you to Trout River.
We passed a couple of signs that said the road was closed if the lights
were flashing.
The Trout River
population: 600. This nondescript green building held a wealth of information
on local fishing history. A sweet 17
year old young lady stood in charge and answered all of our questions.
It showcased methods
and equipment used in the traditional inshore fishery. A thoughtful and impressive display for this tiny town.
Trays of salted
Capelin were available for tasting. Our man, Jay, tried one and stated it was
very, very, salty!
I asked about this
music space and the young lady informed me that the exhibits are moved and the
chairs brought out to the main room once a week for a music fest. Also once a week movies for young people are
shown here.
Hope you can read
this photo
The bright yellow
saltbox house began as a fisherman’s home in the 1800’s. It was restored by the
town council in 2003 and designated heritage structure. Several saltbox houses show up on our
itinerary, but until we visited here the meaning didn’t click. The saltbox house is where fisherman brought
their catch to the backdoor to be salted!
Then it was put out the front door for delivery. The saltbox house is for
salting….duh!
Trout River harbor
feels serene, today.
We chose the only restaurant
in town to eat. Again we marveled how a
little town of 600 people can have such a delicious restaurant. My menu cover featured all the people who are part of this restaurant.
These 3 dimensional
works of art were for sale. The fishermen
sold for about $585. We found the artist lives in Port au Chois.
To reach the far end
of the point, we had to cross another one way bridge. Some boats were out of
the water. Some in the water!
The kids of Trout
River all go to the same school, kindergarten to grade 12. The Jakeman Allgrade School
We returned on the
same road we took in.
Tomorrow we explore
Cow Head and other places at the north
end of Gros Morne NP.
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