This morning, Wednesday, we left the RV park in a light mist, hoping to catch the tour boat for Western Brook Pond scheduled to leave at 12:30. The hiking trail into the boat dock is 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) long, constructed with gravel over the higher ridges and wood planking over the bogs. It is beautiful hike with many information panels along the way, telling about the bogs, the local wildflowers and the wildlife--we were on the alert for moose, but again saw none this trip. A portion of the trail follows along a large lake (pond, there are no lakes in Newfoundland) and several smaller ponds. Our hike through mist and fog with a cold wind took about 50 minutes. At the end of the trail, a large building with coffee, muffins, and other snacks was a welcome sight; about 90 other travelers also waited for word about the boat tour.

Unfortunately, the entrance to the Western Brook Pond was shrouded in mist and fog; we waited on a decision of the boat captain whether or not we would be taking the trip into the fjord. At 12:30 the captain announced that the trip would be "less than ideal" and a few minutes later he canceled it. Yep, you guessed it, we turned around and hiked out another 1.86 miles. We hope the weather will be much better on our return trip south from St. Anthony, and maybe take the trip in another nine days or so.

We were warmed by a lunch of hot tea and seafood chowder on our way home.

All of the little cafes and restaurants in Newfoundland have their seafood chowder. While the ingredients vary, the chowder always tastes wonderful and creamy--the chowder in Windy Point had lobster, as well as shrimp, crab, scallops and cod! There's usually some potatoes, and celery and onion, and usually is luscious.

Another observation: Most of the restaurant food we have eaten in Newfoundland so far has been prepared without many spices or flavorings and its presentation has been quite plain.

Tomorrow we leave for St. Barbe where we will leave the rigs for a two day trip into Labrador.