August 5 Wednesday 2009 sunny
Today we take a bus tour of St Johns. $44 ea .They pick us up at the rv park. We are first on so get very good seats. Only 8 people so sm .van. We go to Cape Spear first. This is the most Easterly point in North America. What a view. We explore the bunkers and climb up to the new animated light house and then the oldest surviving lighthouse with living quarters., now a National Historic site. Next we take the Irish Loop to the quaint town of Petty. A fishing village in a very protected harbour. Then back to St John's and our driver point out good places to eat on Water street and George street. Velma's and the Hungry Fisherman were 2 he mentioned. St George Street has 22 bars in 2 blocks. St John 's is closer to Europe than any other city in North America. He also tells us St John's is further South than Vancouver, really the same latitude as Seattle. Signal Hill and Cabot tower are next. Now here are views! Signal Hill is where Marconi received the first trans Atlantis signal in 1901. Signal Hill is also the scene of the last battle between the French and the English for dominance of the Atlantic Coast. Cabot Tower at the summit of Signal Hill was constructed in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Cabot landing in Newfoundland . We cannot go to Quidi Vidi as roads are closed for the big ragatta on the lake . The race dates back to 1828. ( rowing races) We return to the rv park and Bill phones and makes reservations for St Pierre . (Aug 11) . I guess I am going to France after all. The temperature got up to 80(27) We had the air conditioner on all afternoon.
REMEMBER-A smile is a language even a baby understands.