Monday, July 1, 2013

1 July 2013 Western Newfoundland

[I have filled some gaps in our blog, adding Sunday June 23, Monday June 24, Friday June 28, and Saturday June 29. They are entered into the blog in the correct order.]

Today is Canada Day, when Canada celebrates the formation of their independent country. It's celebrated in much the same manner as our Fourth of July, with picnics and flags, and firecrackers and fireworks; except that I don't think they had to fight to win their independence. There was lots of red clothing worn, extra flags flown and worn, and thankfully (for Carlos especially) very few loud firecracker noises.

Today also marks the last day of our visit to the western region of Newfoundland, including Gros Morne National Park and the Great Northern Peninsula. This western region of Newfoundland was part of North America millions of years ago and was separated when the ancient continents split. Tomorrow we begin our visit to the central and eastern regions of Newfoundland which were rafted into place from ancient Africa.

I was exposed to a lot of information about Newfoundland's geologic history today.

This morning we headed for Trout River, a town located located on the southernmost coast of Gros Morne National Park, fifty-five miles from Rocky Point. On the way we took a four-kilometer hike into the Tablelands, led by a park employee. He wore a large Canadian flag hat.

The Tablelands are mountains that were created by peridotite rocks from the earth's mantle at a depth of 18 kilometers being thrust upward through the earth's crust as a result of plate tectonics. The scouring action of three periods of glaciation occurring during the last 100,000 years exposed some of the most extensive, pristine outcrops of mantle rock in the world. There are only four other areas in the world with similar deposits of the earth's mantle being exposed due to plate tectonics. This is one of the reasons that the Gros Morne National Park has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The exposed peridotite rocks are dark gray but quickly covered by a brown deposit due to oxidation.

Tablelands Peridotite Rock deposits

Because these rocks are composed of very heavy metals, only plant life that thrives in that environment can be found.

Pitcher Flower (Newfoundland Provincial Flower) 

 Clover

         

Peridotite rocks are unstable in the cool and damp environment of the earth's surface. Water flowing through cracks in the Tablelands is slowly changing the peridotite to serpentinite which in turn caused the water to becomes very alkaline (more so than ammonia).

Tablelands Serpentite rocks

Deposits of travertine (a form of limestone) have been formed on the Serpentinite rocks due to the alkaline waters and microbes have been found in pools around them.

 Tablelands alkaline waters

Travertine forming on Tableland Serpentinite rocks 

Tablelands microbial pools

Similar microbes and the processes creating them have been observed on the planet Mars; NASA is studying them to learn more about how such processes may have produced life on earth. 

Patrice and Carlos waited in the truck while the Rocks and I survived the hike. The day was mostly sunny and warm. On to Trout River for a seafood lunch and a walk on the beach.

Trout River beach walk

Jerry, Carlos and I enjoy the peace

Trout River is a busy and upscale fishing village. At the harbor new nets were being loaded onto large fishing boats, and crab and lobster traps being repaired and readied for next year--this year's lobster season is almost done.

Trout River fishing village

Utility sheds beyond the harbor

Repairing lobster traps for next season

Wool socks for sale at homes along the road

Several lines of hand-made socks, mittens, and scarves gave main street Trout River a festive feel, along with the Canadian flags.

 Wash on the line, common sight on sunny days

Trout River flows out of the Trout River Pond, a 20 kilometer long lake. We did't have time for an excursion boat trip up the lake; we did find a great viewpoint.

 Trout River Pond

At the National Park entrance area to the Trout River Pond, Canada Day celebrations were taking place for the locals--a gunny sack race for the kids, a line for the hot dogs and fixings--families and fun.

Heading back home we checked out the craft shops in artsy Woody Point, and had coffee and cookies at the Granite Coffee Shop. Small family picnics and outdoor activities were happening at the villages on the way. At home, we shared some ice cream, then got down to getting ready for more adventures down the road!


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