Rain (Saturday, July 8th)

Pouring rain this morning as the weather man predicted.  It's ok because our plan is to travel towards the Bonavista peninsula and might as well be driving when it's raining.  I wanted to go to a lookout as we travelled through Terra Nova Park but no sense on this gloomy day.  Justin had made the comment earlier in our travels that we had yet to see any milking farms.  Someone had told them that they were all on the eastern part of the island.  He just finishes saying that we are far east now and still no farms when we cross our first farm!  We would love to boondock tonight but I want a back up just in case so I look up campsites.  There are no campsites close to Cape Bonavista and there is one in Trinity.  By the time we arrive in Trinity it is downpouring.  We decide to go ask if they have a spot for us.  The man feels bad because there is no way we would can fit in their campsite.  He makes our decision easy...we turn around and head just a few kms away where we saw a spot to pull over on the small highway.  Of course, it is coming down hard when we set up the trailer.  Justin is soaked once he is finished.  We all strip down. Gaby even puts on her 'Meagan Trainor' giraffe onesie.  Turn up the heat and settle in for the afternoon.  We have a UNO Stanley cup playoff game! That's what we call it when we play first one to 4 :)  By late afternoon the rain slows down to a drizzle and we decide to take a drive out towards Bonavista.  I miss the turnoff towards Elliston but it's a loop so we start with Cape Bonavista instead of Elliston.  WOW!!! Cape Bonavista is breathtaking.  We didn't expect the village to be as big.  It's a 2000-2500 population.  I guess I should have noticed on the map but I never clued in.  We head towards the lighthouse.  As we are longing the coast we pass a sign that says 'free parking' with a fifth wheel parked there.  There is enough room for another 2-3 more trailers.  This spot is unbelievable.  We stop at the little ice cream shop across the road to inquire.  The kind lady says 'Welcome to Newfoundland boy'!  You come and park your trailer no problem!'.  Boy!! This spot is too sweet not to pass up, we will head back to our spot and bring the trailer up here.  I'm kind of upset that we didn't drive up here with the trailer but how were we to know.  On our way back we pass through Dungeon Provincial Park.  James is sleeping, so me and Gab take a sneak and confirm that we will stop in again tomorrow for everyone to enjoy.  On our way home we will stop in Elliston that is not only the root cellar capital of the world but where the Parks Canada lady told us it was a sure bet to spot puffins.  We see root cellars scattered here and there along the highway and then find 'THE' puffin viewing site.  We leave Bones in the truck.  Justin says he won't scare them away but once we get to the entrance of the site they of course don't allow dogs.  It's a small walk and we get excited thinking there is a puffin a few feet away from other tourists.  Jokes on us...it's someone with a camera big enough to see life on other planets that has a stuffed puffin!  Real puffins!!! Yes, now we see them!  There are hundreds of them if not thousands on the small island next to us.  Puffins are very small but we have a good view of them.  It's a wonder why they stay where they are.  It's almost like there is an imaginary line they won't cross but it is very cool to see them.  Gab was really excited to see them but I think it was anti-climactic for her.  Not sure why.  She may have thought they were bigger.  We head back to the trailer.  It's getting late, so we decide to feed the kids and get them ready for bed and travel after that.  James falls asleep on the way and miss Gaby stays up until we arrive.  We can't believe no one else has taken up the spots!  The turn to get in is tight and I don't know why I stress because Justin can always pull it off.  Kids in bed and all setup, Justin heads over the little ice cream shop across the road and grabs us supper.  We like to support the kind people who allow us to park for free and we really don't feel like cooking.  I love the name of the ice cream shop 'The little Dairy King'!  Cute.  We can't wait to enjoy the view when things clear up tomorrow morning!

Free view - amazing!