Newfoundland, Land of History and Fun!

This summer my husband, 2 kids, my mom and my nephew, and I went to Newfoundland to visit family. We focused on the Deer Lake/Corner Brook region, Gros Morne and the Northern Peninsula as this is where our respective families are from.

We had some things on our list that we wanted to do and we managed to do most with the exception of one. The first thing we checked of is trout fishing; we first purchased a recreational licence and put all the family members on it. As we had brought our fishing rods all we had to do was find a pond or brook and this was easy! Ponds and brooks are plentiful in Newfoundland and are pristine and usually you are the only ones there. The kids loved it even though only one very tiny trout and 2 fresh water clams were caught. Just remember bring a change of clothes and some towels if travelling with kids as it usually ends up with a swim or a splash in the water.

Next we went zip lining over Steady Brook Falls near Marble Mountain, the ski hill near Corner Brook. The kids loved the adrenaline rush and the view while zip lining over the falls was amazing!!

As we travelled down the Northern Peninsula we decided to hike Gros Morne Mountain, the tallest mountain in Newfoundland at 806 metres. Gros Morne is the name sake of Gros Morne National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a strenuous hike and you need to be well prepared to do it, with lots of water, snacks, good boots and appropriate clothing as the weather can change quickly. The hike is 16KM and should take about 8 hours if you are in good shape, longer if you are not. The hike is well worth it because the views are amazing!

As we went further down the Northern peninsula we went to see the Underground Salmon Pools in Roddickton , this is a hidden gem! It involves a short boardwalk into a river that disappears into limestone caverns and reappears further down only to disappear again underground. There are salmon in this river and you can often see the salmon in the pool just before they go through the limestone caverns. The walk through the forest is magical with its ferns and black spruce that seem to grow out of and around boulders, you half expect to see a fairy but you would be more likely to see a moose.

We went to see Grenfell House in St. Anthony where Sir Wilfred Grenfell was based and implemented his medical missionary in 1893 that served that area and the Labrador coast. There is an interpretation centre there, with a great gift shop with traditional Newfoundland hooked rugs. It really is worth a visit; I’ve been there at least 3 times and never bore of it.

The highlight I think for all of us was L’anse Aux Meadows another UNESCO World Heritage site, where the Vikings had settled for a short time in the 11th century. There is an interpretation centre and traditional sod house with Vikings, who tell you about what Viking daily life was like so many years ago. The inside of the sod house is comfortable and cozy with furs you can sit on and a fire to warm you while you listen to the stories of Bjorn the Beautiful. This is a real family pleaser!

Overall Newfoundland is a wonderful family destination or for those that love the outdoors. The scenery is stunning, it is rich in history and there are no crowds! The most important travel tip I can give about traveling to Newfoundland is to book early as flights, cars and accommodations are limited and book up quickly during their short summer season.

Please feel free contact me about your next adventure by email at denise.gushue@gmail.com.

A VOYAGE TO THE GALAPAGOS

I was recently was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to the Galapagos Islands and hoped that I would feel the same sense of discovery and adventure that Charles Darwin did so many years ago. I was not disappointed!
The only way to really see the Galapagos is by boat, everyday was an adventure as we went from island to island. And with each island came a different landscape and a chance to encounter some of the wonderfully unique animals that can only be found in the Galapagos.

The landscapes ranged from black fields of rope lava called pahoehoe, red volcanic splatter cones to incredibly beautiful powdery white sandy beaches. The landscape at times seemed surreal, like I was on another planet. It was like when you were a kid and you could see formations in the clouds, I could see shapes in the molten red and black lava.

What struck me most about the Galapagos is that the wildlife seems to be totally oblivious to the fact that you are there which made for an incredible opportunity to view them in their natural habitat. The sea lions bask in the sun and frolic in the surf as you walk along the beach. Marine Iguanas lounge on the sand and on the black lava rock along the shore soaking up the sun.

The bright red Sally Light Foot Crabs elegantly dance across the backdrop of wet black lava. Blue Footed Boobies soaring near the shore with their blue webbed feet tucked in tightly against their bodies as they gracefully and forcefully dive into to the water for a fish.

Frigate Birds soar high above, some with their bright red throat sack fully inflated in hopes to attract a female to mate with. Pelicans could often be seen on our boat waiting for their moment to swoop down and get their catch of the day. Although, I didn’t see any green sea turtles on shore, their tracks back to the sea remained as evidence they were there. And of course the majestic Galapagos Tortoises, enormous land based herbivores that will probably outlive most human beings. There is something to be said for being a vegetarian and living life with just the shirt on your back!

The Galapagos is also known as the Enchanted Islands and I say that it is a well deserved name. Where else can you go that you have to share park benches with sea lions right in town!

This is a trip that I would highly recommend to anyone that has a love for the environment, photography, and birding or just wants an educational adventure! Great for all ages even kids! Take Charles Darwin’s word on that!

"It appears to me that nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist than a journey in distant countries." - Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle

Denise Gushue is a Certified Travel Counsellor in the Ottawa Region and can be reached by email at denise.gushue@gmail.com.

Family Travel Time

As a parent of a 5 and 8 year old I know it can be difficult spending quality time together as a family.
Everybody seems to have busy schedules and we all struggle to keep up. With this fast past life of commuting to work , dropping and picking up kids at daycare, appointments, grocery shopping and getting your kids to any after school activities - it doesn’t leave much time to bond as a family. We all manage to squeeze some sort of quality time in there but it is never enough.
As a travel agent, but also as a mom and wife, I recommend making the time to vacation together as a family. It is an invaluable way to re-connect. As we leave the computers and cell phones behind, we start to focus on each other.

Travelling is also a wonderful educational tool – not just for the kids, but also for you! While away you experience different cultures, languages, food, flora and fauna. You often try different activities while holidaying that take you out of your comfort zone. For instance, zip lining, horseback riding or snorkeling.
Last March my family and I took a trip to Costa Rica and as I planned everything, the kids and husband were full of excitement. As I was reading over our rather full itinerary one night, my 8 year old got a glimpse of it, horseback riding, canopy tours, river cruises and volcano viewing, and said, “do we have to do all that?”

For just a moment, I wondered if I had packed too much into our trip, but once we got to beautiful and picturesque Costa Rica, the worry subsided. My kids were fearless! The trip not only gave us quality time together, it also enriched our lives and made us grow as individuals and as a family. I saw strength in my son and curiousness in my daughter and most importantly, we were experiencing all these fantastic things together! The experience was unforgettable and as the Ticos say, it was “pura vida,” which roughly translates to pure life.

Some other great family vacation ideas that allow for quality time together are a Disney Cruise (consider the Mediterranean or Alaska), a New Zealand self drive and if you want to stick closer to home, why not Newfoundland, with whale and iceberg watching.

A good way to make it happen is to plan ahead. Start a vacation fund where you put some money away every month towards the trip. Often kids will be willing to sacrifice having less at Christmas if they know they are going to get that vacation. Book it in advance; often there are early booking bonuses that can lower the costs and booking it early ensures you get the trip you want, especially if you are planning it over busy travel times such as Christmas or March break. Even Newfoundland in the summer needs to be planned ahead, flights are limited and so are car rentals during the summer months. Most of all just do it!

As said by St. Augustine “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”, so read that book together as a family. Explore the world and grow as a family!

Denise Gushue is a travel agent who works from her home in the Ottawa region and may be reached at denise.gushue@gmail.com.