Conference kaosws::canada

    If you need an address or a phone number for Newfoundland Tourism, I'll
    bring it in.
    
    Gros Morne is exceptional, both in its beauty and diversity.  Labrador
    is wonderful, and virtually untouched.  L'Anse aux Meadows is a long
    drive from Gros Morne.
    
    Glenn

    Thanks, Glenn.  It sure does look wonderful!
    
    Well, my search in the bookstore(s) wasn't very successful; they only
    have guides like Frommer's, Fodor's, Michelin, etc.  I guess I'm
    looking for a book similar to the Alaskan Milepost, or a book published
    by the Geographic society; one that might have references to (or ads
    for) companies/outfitters for expeditions -- land or sea -- so that I 
    could get in touch with them and see what they offer and how much they 
    charge.  Or at least more pictures!  I've got the tourist board address 
    & number, thanks.  It's to the library next, I think!  Oh, yeah, by the 
    map it says it's 372 kilometres (252.5 miles) from Rocky Harbour to St. 
    Anthony.
    
    Christine

    Each Province or territory has unique 800 number from the states for
    tourism info requests. Call your nearest consulate for the number
    they are very prompt, a container load of nifty brochures usually
    shows up within 3-4 days....Canada is wonderful place indeed.
    When you look up "friendly" in the dictionary the picture of a 
    smiling Canadian will be seen....Have too much fun...
    
    					  --Graham--
    
    					  ex Torontoite

    Try 1-800-563-nfld(that's 563-6353) for Newfoundland and Labrador.I
    also have 1-800-561-0123.And make sure you pronounce "Newfoundland"
    correctly or you will be subject to much ribbing by the locals(take it
    from me,I'm an ex-local and we loved ribbing the "Yanks"). It is
    New-fun-land,rhymes with understand,see? 
    
    It isn't a long drive from Gros Morne to L'Anse aux Meadows.Another
    mainlander steering you wrong about the Rock. Make sure you see Cow
    Head and Western Brook Pond while you're in the park.
    
    As far as Labrador goes,your best bet is to try one of the coastal
    steamers. They probably run out of St. Anthony but Lewisporte is a good
    bet as well. You can only easily see the coast of Labrador as there are
    few or no roads mostly. Rough country for walking.Jacques Cartier
    called it the "Land that God gave Cain" so that should give you some
    idea of how inviting the place looks.
    
    Send me a note on POLAR if those numbers don't work. I have family all
    over the island who can track down the number for you. Bye now.

    >I was wondering if anyone who reads  this has been there either camping
    >and hiking or staying in rustic  accomodations.  
    
    We've had two trips.  The first time was part of a 5-week camping trip
    and in the three weeks on the island we drove 3,000 miles.  We had to
    go back a few years later and spend another two weeks to see the resty
    of it.  I think there was only one or two peninsuklas that we never got
    to.  On both trips we stayed in provincial parks in our VW camper.  Of
    the several provinces I have camped in, I would say that the province
    of NewfoundLAND and [the] Labrador have the nicest parks, though
    primitive.  The last time we were there, there was only one provincial
    park, Grand Codroy in the Southwest, that had showers and flush
    toilets.  They were all, however, nicely situated with plenty of space
    between sites.  There are also two national parks, Gros Morne on the
    West coast and Terra Nova in the East.
    
    L'Anse aux Meadows is a breeze to get to since the road is now paved
    all the way up.  On our first trip there we flattened two tires on the
    sharp shale and had to do a patch job, blowing up the flattened spare
    with an air pump that plugged into the cigarette-lighter and rolling it
    down to the lake to find the leaks.  Gas stations are pretty far apart.
    
    There are two ways of seeing the Labrador.  One is the car ferry that
    goes across the Straights of Belle Isle (actually it lands just on the
    Quebec side of the border) and enables you to drive about 40 kilometers
    up the coast.  There's a provincial park there called Red Bay and you
    could camp over and explore.  The other option may not be available. 
    That's the boat that delivers people, mail and supplies all the way up
    the coast to Nain.  It takes a couple of weeks each way, I think and
    you have to be a resident to travel on it, unless I'm mistaken.  I
    think you can get a dispensation from this rule if they have space
    available, but it's not really meant for tourists.  It leaves from
    Lewisport on the North coast of Nfld.
    
    If you have limited time for your trip, I would recommend taking the
    ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basque, Nfld. and
    travelling up the Western Coast as far as Lancy Meadows with a side
    trip to the Labrador and a boat ride into the fjiord in Gros Morne.
    
    Don't forget, it's going to take you about a week just to get to Nfld.
    and back from Massachusetts, so leave plenty of time for the island
    itself.  If you've got an extra week travel over to the Eastern side
    and the Avalon Peninsula, particularly the Gannet colony at Cape St.
    Mary's and come back on the overnight ferry from Argentia.  You better
    make your reservations now if you want to book a  the overnight ferry,
    but if you're already too late, just book your passage and get there
    the afternoon before leaving and get your name on the wait list for a
    cabin.  There's always a few and people camp in the parking lot waiting
    in line.  You've got to camp somewhere anyway the last night and you
    may as well be right there.
    

    Did you ride the Labrador portion of the Grand Canal?
    
    
    Glenn

Where there any Chryslers in the fjord?


Mr. Frozen Road Apple

    The hot setup for us to get to Nfld is to take the ferry overnight from
    Portsmouth ME.  We can get there in an easy day's drive (only a few
    hours from Mass.)  The next morning, drive off in Yarmouth, hit the
    road for North Sidney and catch the overnight ferry to Port-au-Basque
    (sp?).  We can make it to Nfld in two days this way.  Not quite so
    quick a return however...  Ferry to P-o-B is only about 5 hours, so
    don't plan on getting much sleep.  Also fairly rough water if I recall.
    
    This year we will be taking the ferry to Argentia.  Day only
    unfortunately, so it takes up more time than the overnight.  Returning 
    via P-o-B ferry overnight to North Sidney.  
    
    I sort of view it as taking a cruise in the north atlantic.  Makes
    people wonder.  Especially when you tell them you took the truck
    along...
    
    Gros Morne is spectacular!  If you are in good shape, a hike up to the
    top is well worth the day it takes.  It's not an easy hike, something
    like 10 miles and ~2500 ft elevation change, lots of rocks, but lots of 
    "wow".  We even had a rare clear day when we were there.  Also the
    table lands  are like nothing you will ever see in this world!  Western
    Brook Pond is a nice boat ride early in the morning or late in the
    afternoon.
    
    If you stay around Rocky Harbor (Gros Morne park), I'd recommend Mrs
    Parson's Tourist Home for a great dinner.  Especially after a hike up
    the mountain.  Stop in in the morning and put in your order for dinner. 
    She'll remember you.  We didn't stay at the Tourist home, but they were
    more than happy to have us dine there.  What a dinner!
    
    Dave