After visiting L’Anse aux Meadows, Tom and I continued south on Route 437 to Route 430 then south on Route 432 in a loop through Main Brook before reconnecting with Route 430 at Plum Point. From there we drove north a short distance to catch a ferry in St. Barbe.
The ferry took us across the Strait of Belle Isle to Blanc Sablon, Quebec. We drove north on Route 510 across the Labrador border as far as Red Bay before returning to Blanc Sablon to catch a ferry back to Newfoundland. From there we continued south on Route 430 to camp at River of Ponds.
Driving Route 432, Newfoundland
Tom had heard that Main Brook is one of the primary salmon fishing areas on the Great Northern Peninsula. So, while we were camping near L’Anse aux Meadows, he booked a salmon fishing guide in Main Brook for the following morning. That’s what lead us on the Route 432 loop. The drive was pretty but, being mostly inland, it wasn’t as pretty as the coastal drive. The road was paved but rough and in some areas completely torn up for repairs. We hit some pretty big bumps and, that evening, we noticed our camper had shifted a few inches on the bed. That’s not uncommon for truck campers but still a bit unnerving.
While Tom was fishing, Aly and I took walks along the lake then raced for the camper to escape the biting insects before they discoverd how tasty we were. Unfortunately, Tom was so busy fishing he didn't take any pictures. He was disappoined to learn that the salmon aren't running yet but the one big salmon he did hook was a fighter and Tom loves a good fish fight!
You can view a few photos of our drive along Route 432 on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Riding the Ferry from Newfoundland to Labrador
After driving Route 432, we headed for the ferry terminal in St. Barbe. We weren’t finished with our visit to Newfoundland but before heading to the east coast, we wanted to visit Labrador. The ferry from St. Barbe, Newfoundland to Blanc Sablon, Quebec is the quickest way to access Labrador’s Southern Coast.
Tom and I didn’t have ferry reservations but we hoped to ride "standby” the following morning. We pulled into the ticket office, near the ferry terminal, at 3:22. The last ferry that evening leaves at 3:30. We didn’t expect to make that one but asked anyway. They had room for our truck and, even though they had closed up the ramp, they reopened it to let us on. That was unexpected!
We had planned on boondocking that night in St. Barbe and were looking forward to an early dinner because we’d skipped lunch. But, before we had time to think, we were driving onto the ferry then hustling Aly into the camper. Dogs are required to stay in the vehicles and people are not allow to stay in the vehicles. Fortunately it was only a 90 minute ferry ride. Unfortunately, we only had a oneway ticket. Tom and I had previously decided we would only go to Labrador if we also got a return ticket because the Labrador Highway is the only other way home and it was currently closed due to wildfires. We wanted to visit Labrador’s Southern Coast but we didn’t want to get stuck there indefinitely!
As soon as we found seats in the ferry cafeteria, Tom found food and I called the ticket office to inquire about a return trip. The agent informed me that there were no reservations available but they always keep a few spots open for first come/first served. Whew! That’s a relief! Now we could explore Labrador without worrying we might become permanent residents!
With everything happening so fast, Tom and I were on and off the ferry before we knew it. Aly appeared to have slept the entire time and had no idea she had just crossed the Strait of Belle Isle to Quebec.
You can view a few photos of our ferry ride from Newfoundland to Quebec on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Driving Labrador's Southern Coast
The ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle docks in Blanc Sablon, Quebec which is just a few minutes south of the Labrador border. We crossed the border and quickly found a beautiful boondocking site above Forteau Bay. Our top priority, the following morning, was to find a flat paved area where we could quickly unload and reload our camper after it shifted on the rough Route 432 drive. With the camper back in place, we enjoyed a beautiful drive up and down Labrador's Southern Coast. Our farthest destination was Red Bay to visit the Red Bay National Historic and UNESCO Site. Then we made our way back to visit the Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site before catching a ferry back to Newfoundland.
You can view a few photos of our drive along Labrador's Southern Coast on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Boondocking at Forteau Bay, Labrador
Tom and I were happy to find a beautiful location to boondock our one night in Labrador. We ere on a bluff overlooking Forteau Bay where we enjoyed a beatiful sunset and a spectacular sunrise. Tom celebrated his day of fishing with a red solo cup of whiskey. My highlight came the following moring when I took Aly outside at the crack of dawn and saw that an iceberg had floated into the bay over night. The perfect start to a beautiful day in Labrador!
You can view a few photos of our beautiful boondocking site above Forteau Bay on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Riding the Ferry from Labrador to Newfoundland
Tom and I had been so lucky catching the ferry to Labrador at the last minute we decided to push our luck on the return trip. The ticket agent I spoke with on the phone, the previous day, suggested we line up for the ferry 2 hours before departure to try and get a first come/first served spot. We pulled up to the ticket office as the ferry from Newfoundland was pulling up to the dock, just 30 minutes before it was supposed to depart again. Not only did we get a spot, but we got it with the senior discount!
You can view a few photos of our ferry ride from Labrador to Newfoundland on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
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