In 1977 we drove to Newfoundland. This is a memorable part of the trip.
I truly have few regrets in life … but I do regret that we did not accept the invitation to stay for “The Birthday Party in Newfoundland.”
During the summer of 1977 we did a 3-week camping trip to Newfoundland. Amongst many memorable experiences, the most memorable was an 18-hour party at Bishops Falls.
Bishops Falls is in the middle of the island, half way between the East Coast and the West Coast (remember that to a Newfoundlander the West Coast is the Cornerbrook area!). The pictures are from Cape Spear on the East Coast and Gros Mourne on the West Coast. I don’t actually have a picture of the great party!
Bishops Falls is just down the road from Grand Falls, the home of the actor Gordon Pinsent! Bishops Falls is where Donna and her family lived. Donna is the sister of Wayne who was my boss. When Wayne learned that we were going to Newfoundland he said, “You must stop and visit my sister, she lives right on the TCH!” (TCH is the abbreviation for Trans Canada Highway in Newfoundland.)
So, much to everyone’s surprise, we stopped. I shyly approached this strange door, and knocked. Donna answered and seemed rather reserved. After a few moments, I suggested that I had my family in the car, and she suggested that I should go and get them. I assured Bev that “yes” Donna was expecting us, and then we nervously approached the door again. Suddenly the door swung open and a transformed Donna appeared. “Come on it!” she exclaimed.
Once we settled in the living room I heard her on the telephone. Then after a bit of discussion she hung up and exclaimed: “I can’t believe it, he’s coming home!” Her husband, who had a reputation as a workaholic, was knocking off at 1:30 in the afternoon! Then the phone rang again and I heard Donna say “I dunno” then she turns to me and says “Does ya drinks beers?” Without thinking I answered “ ’course I drinks beers!” (I felt a little embarrassed that I had unthinkingly mimicked her accent, but she didn’t seem to notice). In any case, I learned that it was the right answer since beer was available locally but he would have had to drive to Grand Falls for something stronger!
Soon he came home and we dranks a beers. During this time, he told me a story about a “howl” at the end of a field. When he read the baffled look on my face he proceeded to explain “You know oot, oot, howl …” I had previously heard of dropping your “H’s” but this was my first experience where they were trans-placed!
Then nine of us (they had 3 kids) piled into a tiny car and we headed out of town. Suddenly the car slowed and we drove down through the ditch and followed two tracks across a pasture. Very soon we arrived at gorgeous resort area with a stream and rapids running through it. This was where Donna’s parents had a cottage.
We soon learned that Donna’s Dad was celebrating his birthday tomorrow. Everyone we saw was inviting us to stay for the party! We were also assured that someone had already been to Grand Falls to acquire the supplies for the party. It also became clear that the supplies were already being rapidly consumed!
The party atmosphere continued into the evening – and this was the day before the party! Our 3 and 5-year old kids were not seen by us for hours. However, the environment was such that you just knew that someone was always keeping an eye on them.
Each time we were invited to stay for tomorrow’s party, we begged off saying that we were wanting to get the Gros Morne the next day. So at midnight we went back to Bishops Falls, at which time Donna cooked us a full supper.
We stayed at their house overnight and then continued on our way the next morning.
We did get to Gros Morne on our schedule and spent five rain filled days …