There is no better name for a camp site than the Water’s Edge, especially when you find yourself backing your RV into a perfect spot, right on the water’s edge on the beautiful blue Bonne Bay. What an incredible sight. Our first stop was in Glenburnie-Birchy Head- Shoal Brook (big name with big views) located about three hours north of Port Aux Basques just past the entrance of Gros Morne National Park.
As we were setting up LadyBug admiring the beauty of this bay, a Minke whale surprised us and briefly surfaced directly in front of our site about 100 yards offshore. What a thrill that was. Over the next few days, that Minke would show up daily exploring the bay looking for a little snack. Like me, Minke whales love herring.
This is also a perfect spot to begin your visit to Gros Morne as it is a short drive to the famous Tablelands. This is a hiker’s paradise where you can experience walking on the red mantle of the Earth, something that is hardly visible anywhere on the planet. Before starting our hike, we stopped at the spectacular Tablelands Discovery Centre run by Canada Parks. There, we met incredible young people who shared a boatload of fascinating information about the Tablelands and the unique impact this area has on geologic study.
Our hike was a nice leisurely stroll surrounded by towering red mountains and rock formations. The mantle would have been pushed to the surface due to a tectonic crash of continental plates over 300 million years ago. Those wee ones back home will know that this is even older than Papa! Pretty darn old.
Geologists and scientists across the globe visit the Tablelands regularly as this is one of the few spots easily accessible to allow the study of the earth’s mantle. Typically, the mantle of the Earth would be found some 900 miles or so below the surface of the planet. The rough surface of rock, boulders and other debris also makes this a perfect spot for space scientists and engineers to set up shop to study how the surface of Mars will likely be. Who knows? Maybe one day, other travellers will safely land on Mars’ because of the important information uncovered at the Tablelands. I wonder if Matt Damons is still there?
