…in Newfoundland and Labrador

East Coast Trail: Biscan Cove Path

August 31, 2020 | Leave a Comment

A few months back, my partner and I attempted Biscan Cove Path; a portion of the East Coast Trail that starts at Pouch Cove and ends at Cape St. Francis. It was early April, so a lot of the snow in the woods hadn’t melted away yet. We strapped on our snowshoes and gave it a go anyway.

The path is 7.3 km, but a little longer if you walk the dirt road from Cape St. Francis back to the parking lot in Pouch Cove. The dirt road is a good cool down after a moderately challenging hike. The terrain isn’t rough, but there are a few steep inclines that help you work up a sweat.

The first part of the trail offers stunning panoramic views of Pouch Cove and the coastline beyond the little town. There are also drastic cliffs that might just take your breath away. The cliffs have always been my favourite part of the NL coast. After soaking in the view from the first bluff, head down into the woods and over some boggy areas. Wear good shoes- it might be a little damp!

Keep an eye out for the Horrid Gulch viewpoint. There certainly isn’t anything horrid about it!

Soon you’ll come to a steep downhill that leads to a little creek and out toward the ocean. If you brought a picnic, this is the spot to eat it– alongside a gorgeous waterfall pouring out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Unfortunately we tried this hike twice over the course of a week and the snow was just too deep. We almost made it to Cape St. Francis, but we bailed out a little early and came back along the same dirt road mentioned earlier. Hopefully we’ll have the good fortune to complete this trail one day.

Have you hiked Biscan Cove Path? What’s your favourite path on the East Coast Trail? Let us know in the comments or on social media (@twowildtides), we love hearing from our readers! And please, check out our other posts about the East Coast Trail hikes that we’ve done:

happy hiking,
char

Iceberg Alley Performance Tent 2019

September 26, 2019 | Leave a Comment

I cannot believe it’s here and gone again. Iceberg Alley Performance Tent 2019 was one to remember– not that I’d ever expect anything less. It was another 10 days of fabulous performers, including Metric, Colin James, Black Jack Billy, Alan Doyle (check out our post about his performance last year!) with a surprise Great Big Sea reunion, and Our Lady Peace. This year, I was lucky enough to take in TWO amazing shows: Bret Michaels with Haywire and Timber, and David Wilcox, Kim Mitchell, and Loverboy. Can you say classics?? The shows were phenomenal and the venue continues to kick ass.

In case you’ve never been, here’s a little rundown of what the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent is like:

It’s a giant blue tent pitched on the banks of Quidi Vidi Lake (think circus tents)
There are about 10 days of incredible concerts in mid-September
Hardly any lineups!!!
They have a separate, attached tent for toilets so you never have to go outside
They lay out a floor so you don’t have to worry about your heels sinking in the grass
Free stadium-style seating on the back wall facing the stage
There are multiple bars where you can get liquor, beer, craft beer, and wine (again, no lineups!!)
Local restaurants have food booths with amazing eats
Covered smoking area
This year they had a candy bar!
VIP section with premium seating as well as private bars and bathrooms
All at a competitive price– you won’t break the bank at Iceberg Alley

Now let’s talk about this year’s shows:

As a long-time classic rock/hair band super-fan, I was thrilled to hear Bret Michaels, the singer from Poison, was coming to the Tent. Poison’s classic hit “Nothin’ But a Good Time” is my #1 pump-up song! I am so thankful to the folks at Iceberg Alley for having me at the show.

St. John’s-based Timber opened up the show and Canadian band Haywire kept the party going before Bret Michaels took the stage. I love that Iceberg Alley gives a space for local artists to perform.

Bret Michaels, as pretty as ever, rocked the Tent with all Poison’s classic hits. You might have spotted me jamming out to “Your Momma Don’t Dance,” “Unskinny Bop,” and “Talk Dirty to Me.” All the phones lit up when he sang “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” and “Something to Believe In.” He even performed songs from other classic rock artists like Journey and Kiss. His energy was contagious. Bret really seemed to love The Rock, and I think he made everyone’s night when he promised a Poison reunion here in Newfoundland in the near future. What a dream!

On the last night of the festival, my friends and I headed down to the Tent for classic rock icons David Wilcox, Kim Mitchell, and Loverboy. I was stoked! Hit after hit after hit! It was a sold-out show and the crowd was on wheels. As it turns out, some local rock legends also decided to come out and enjoy the show…I finally met Alan Doyle! Unfortunately, all the concert pictures from that night are super blurry– probably from me jumping up and down nonstop all night! (sorry not sorry!)

Iceberg Alley Performance Tent ROCKED again this year. It never disappoints! The festival has become a well-oiled machine and is honestly one of the most enjoyable concert venues I have ever been to. We cannot wait for next year!

all the best,
char

Hike NL: Burnt Head Path

September 19, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Looking for a moderate, enjoyable hike that won’t take up too much of your time? Just an afternoon stroll to satisfy the need for salty air in your lungs? If you’re on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, Burnt Head Path in Cupids is perfect.

Cupids is a lovely small town in Conception Bay North, and although I’ve only ever been there for a couple of hours for this hike, I can’t wait to go back and visit again. Cupids is the oldest continuously settled British colony in Canada and was home to our first peoples before that, so it abounds with history. Once you realize how long and rich the history of the area is, walking the trails becomes a hugely humbling experience. It really puts your place in history in perspective.

Burnt Head Trail is a 2.7 km loop that leaves from and returns to Cupids Haven B&B (which looks gorgeous and I’d love to stay there). You can park in this lot for trail access. It’s a moderate hike. I had a bad back the day we were there and was afraid to push myself so this was the perfect hike.

The entire path, although short, offers breathtaking views. You’ll get to see two bays, a few coves, a small waterfall, and an amazing sea arch. There are benches and picnic tables along the trail. Take it all in. No need to rush.

The arch was so surprising. I did not expect to see such a striking feature of nature on this relatively unknown/unhyped trail. The arch honestly makes this path so underrated in Newfoundland tourism. Here I am to let you know that this is here, it exists, and it’s easy to access! Check it out!

Let us know what you think of Burnt Head Trail! Have you stayed in Cupids before? Comment the best places to stay and eat! We want to spend a night or two! I recommend checking out E&E’s Drive-In for an ice cream, slushy, or deep-fried treat after your hike if you’re in the mood to treat yourself.

Happy trails,
char

How To Spend A Rainy Day in YYT

September 16, 2019 | 1 Comment

Newfie word of the day: RDF – an acronym used by Newfoundlanders to describe our frequent weather conditions: rain, drizzle, and fog.

Overcast skies and drizzly days are no stranger to us here in St. John’s. I applaud people who can enjoy a hike in the most dismal weather, or stroll around the streets downtown with an umbrella or road trip despite the downpour. Myself, however, I want nothing to do with it. I try to make the best of all situations, anything Mother Nature throws my way, but instead of being a trooper and bundling up in waterproof clothes, I find indoor adventures that allow me to remain warm and dry.

The following are my favorite ways to spend a drizzly day in YYT.

Mochanopoly. Located on Water Street (near the courthouse), Mochanopoly is St. John’s’ premier board game cafe. The warm, friendly atmosphere is a great place to spend a few hours with friends on a damp day, playing any board game you can imagine. Try the Nutella latte, it is literal heaven!

Escape Quest. Head down to Duckworth Street and challenge yourself to escape fun and intense rooms with NL themes. This is such a fun experience to try with friends, family, classmates, or coworkers. Let us know if you escape in time!

QEII. The Queen Elizabeth II library is located on the Memorial University campus. I know MUN students are probably groaning while reading this, but I enjoy coming here on a rainy day to catch up on homework, read a good book, or explore the stacks to see what I can find. Yes, I am a geek. #sorrynotsorry

The Clay Café. This place is a little out of the way (it’s located in Mount Pearl, on Commonwealth Avenue), but it is a great place to burn a few hours and flex your creative muscle when it’s raining outdoors. The premise is simple: pick out one of their premade ceramic objects (a plate, mug, figurine, etc.) and paint it however you like. They bake it and you pick up your creation a few days later! They also offer Cork and Canvas nights. You bring a bottle of wine, they teach you how to paint a masterpiece- how great does that sound?

The Rooms. I think this one is my favorite. The Rooms is our provincial museum, and it has so much to offer. They have an art gallery, gift shop, historical and cultural exhibits, and a lovely cafe. The best way to experience The Rooms when it’s wet out? Stroll around the exhibits then enjoy lunch with the best view in town. The “Warm Root Vegetable Salad” is a must!

G-Force Funderdome. Located in Paradise off Corisande Drive, the Funderdome is a super fun place for an adults day or night out when it’s less than pleasant outside. They have hi-speed go-karts, glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, Jack Axes axe-throwing, arcade games, pool, and, yup, a bar complete with local beers.

Give back. RDF got ya down? Spend the day giving back to your community. Not only will it benefit others, but it will lift your spirits as well. Volunteer a few hours with The Gathering Place in their soup kitchen; clean out your closet and donate what you don’t wear to the Salvation Army; play with cats at the SPCA; become a conversation partner with RIAC and help a newcomer to Canada improve their English (you can sign up by emailing esl@riac.ca); or, if you don’t have that much time to commit, grab lunch at the Hungry Heart Cafe– this lunch location is operated by Stella’s Circle, they employ vulnerable adults who may have trouble getting a job anywhere else and give them skills to work in the food service industry.

How do you spend rainy days in your city or hometown? We would love to hear about it!

Airport Highlight: Gander International

September 12, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Having grown up in central Newfoundland, I am quite familiar with Gander International Airport. Locally, we all know and love it for its proximity to rural towns, its unique flair, and of course, its direct Sunwing flights to the sunny south in the cold Newfoundland winter. But for a tiny airport in a tiny community, there’s a lot more interesting history to Gander International Airport than you’d expect.

Although these days most major flights out of Newfoundland depart from St. John’s International Airport in the capital city, Gander was once an integral stopover destination for international flights, which is where it got its nickname: The Crossroads of the World. The airport got quite a bit of attention in the last couple of years after the broadway musical “Come From Away” became a global hit. “Come From Away” tells the story of the large role the Town of Gander played in the tragic events of 9/11. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to see the play, but I’m saving pennies in an attempt to head to New York for the show sometime soon.

What do the Queen of England, Marilyn Monroe, and Fidel Castro have in common? They have all been guests of Gander, Newfoundland!
-Erin Gregory, Ingenium Channel

Gander International Airport was built in 1938 and soon after, with the completion of a few more runways, it was the largest airport in the world. It was heavily used by the Canadian and American military during World War 2 and helped make transatlantic flights possible. In 1945, the first scheduled commercial flight passed through the airport. Many international carriers used Gander International Airport over the years, including Air France, Pan-Am, and Scandinavian Airlines.

100s of VIP guests had traveled through the airport by the 1950s, including Albert Einstein, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and Fidel Castro. The Queen of England herself was even present at the grand opening of the ‘new’ terminal in 1959. This terminal is still at the airport today, frozen in time, and rarely used. Shortly after the vibrant, hip (now retro) terminal opened, feats of engineering allowed aircraft to fly longer distances without needing to refuel, meaning Gander International Airport was used less and less frequently. Although the airport is only used in modern times for flights to and from some Canadian cities and by snowbirds heading down south, it is still a very important site for North Atlantic air traffic control operations.

Sir Frederick Grant Banting, who discovered the therapeutic potential of penicillin, died in a plane crash after departing Gander International Airport in February 1941. In 1946, Sabena Airlines flight DC-4 crashed 35 km short of the runway in Gander, killing 27 people. On December 12, 1985, Arrow Air Flight 1285 crashed in Gander. All 256 people on board, most American soldiers, tragically lost their lives. To this day, it remains the deadliest airplane accident in Canadian history. On September 11, 2001, the day of the devastating World Trade Center, Gander opened its arms to 38 planes carrying around 7000 passengers after US Airspace closed. This is what “Come From Away” is all about. I could go on and on about this story, but I want you to see the show, so I won’t. Go see it. Now.

I feel so lucky on the rare occasions when I get to fly out of the Gander international terminal. It has the coolest retro vibes. You can picture glamorous men and women in the 1950s lounging on the bright yellow and orange couches, checking the time on the mid-century clocks, and hopping on the escalator to catch their flight. It’s truly an unforgettable travel experience, especially when you’re aware of the historical significance. You wouldn’t think there would have been such a bustling operation in such a small community– but the impact and importance of Gander International Airport in tremendous.

I highly suggest you check out Erin Gregory’s fantastic article about the airport and its history. She has some great photos and interesting tidbits of information. She sums up the Gander International Airport experience quite succinctly: “it’s like stepping inside an artifact.” I got a lot of my information for this post from good ol‘ Wikipedia and things I remember hearing from friends and family growing up.

What’s your favourite fact about Gander International Airport? Did you know it had such a rich history? There was no way I could cram everything about the airport into one short post– there is so much more to discover. We’d love to hear from you about it! Comment your favourite stories or links to your favourite articles.

-char