caribou hunting trips in canada
Newfoundland-Labrador Travel
On Wednesday, August 27, 2003 we have a beautiful day to travel in Labrador. We are traveling the Trans Labrador Highway. Our first stop was L'Anse Amour, a grave site 7,500 years old. This was found by a group of students who thought the pattern was quite rock unusual. Under the rock found a baby wrapped in a dozen years, face down, painted red with a flat stone in the lower back. The artifacts are associated with burial a walrus tusk, a number of stone and bone projectile points, a bird bone whistle, paint flakes, an antler ceiling, a toggle harpoon and an eagle decorated ivory.
The road is Amour Lighthouse, the highest in the province of Newfoundland. Although their presence has not prevented the ships from the treacherous shores. In 1922, HMS Raleigh, a 12,000 ton cruiser to avoid an iceberg ran aground. His remains are scattered on the shore. During World War two ships collided in the fog dense in the narrow, because there was a warning from a submarine in the area. Ironically, two other ships were lost that day too narrow, but in an area different. The Strait of Belle Isle is not only an iceberg alley, but a wreck alley.
By the way archaeologists are still uncovering Red Bay the first industrial factory of the world whaling. Founded in the 1540s by Basque fishermen from the area between France and Spain, whale oil was used to illuminate Europe. During its heyday, over 2,500 whaling in Labrador, produced approximately 20,000 barrels of oil per year. Using boats, not a sandwich boat that harpooned whales and brought ashore for processing. At the port in a chair Island archaeological excavations are still in process. Many objects are displayed in the local museum, including pieces from the remains of San Juan, a whaling ship, found near the wreckage of modern Bernier, caught in the same storms associated with the coast of Labrador. There are many sites on the mainland, but have not been explored because they are on private property. Basque industry died about 1600, due to their participation in the Spanish Armada.
At Red Bay, the paved road ends. A dirt road leads to new Cartwright, the opening of cities for coastal tourism and commercial development. After traveling approximately 40 miles down the road, we parked at night in one of the many wells of gravel for construction of the road.
Today we spent six hours by car from the gravel road from Red Bay to Cartwright, a distance of 312 kilometers or 187 miles. The road is approximately ten meters wide and is well prepared will. The speed limit is 70 km / h or 42 mph. Along the road are the panoramic views of mountains and pine trees, something like driving the Paso del Norte through the Adirondack Mountains. Approximately 80 kilometers from Cartwright is the union of the planned road to Goose Bay an additional 250 miles.
Most cities along the route are bypassed by the new road. There are few services in the highway. In Bay Lodge, gas and sundries are available in a stop Mona, not diesel. Diesel is available in Puerto de Maria in car C & J. St. Mary's is the embarkation point for Battle Harbour Island and the National Historic District. Known as the unofficial capital of Labrador, Battle Harbour was an important basis fishing for cod in Labrador in the 19th century. The area looks much as it did in 1909. The fishing continued until the 1990's and was later donated to the people. Until the advent the road this year the island was quite inaccessible except by boat. today's performers in traditional dress of the tourist guide through a typical fishing village of ages 19 and 20. Accommodations are available for the night.
50 k. Port Hope Simpson Port Maria is the beautiful river Alexis. Restaurants, plazas, fuel and hospital are available there. This is the last vestige of civilization for the next 187 k. There are very few places to turn the road to rest. Most people park on the side of the road. Most of the traffic encountered were construction vehicles along of 50 k. stretch.
The Cartwight roads are in stark contrast to the motorway bumpy and wavy. Other trailers parked in the parking lot ticket office, located near the dock.
He spent a quiet day in Cartwright. We boarded the Sir Robert (not James) Bond Ferry at 4:30 for a sail 07:00. The boat was filled to capacity, everyone went home on vacation or make the best of a three day weekend before returning to school or work. The boat is far from luxury. During the night many people who do not have a broom closet size room, sleeping on deck. The strangest thing about the boat is the food service. The cafeteria was open only until 6:30, half an hour before departure. Only snacks and bar are open to sailing. Wanted Wunderstrand see a mile long white sand beach of reference for the Vikings, a two-day L'Anse aux Meadows. By the time we reached the coast and a Porcupine Point, the sun had set. After a night of fun on board the ferry, which docked in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NF. We wake up Labrador typical day: cloudy, damp and cool.
Our first stop was the decade of the visitors center, which was closed, only open Monday through Friday. I guess people forget that the influx of people leaving a ship every Saturday between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, who would like some information about the city. We had heard that the RV were allowed to park in the town hall parking. But he knew where he was and that the map did not show it. We decided to go to a Tim Horton that Dunkin 'Donuts in the U.S., and get the necessary power, a cup of Java, and some necessary directions. Having achieved so much and some good tips from the locals who had been in the boat with us, went to the door when we heard he cried, "Chicago?" I wore my Chicago Heights Roads jacket. We turned around and found a pair of Chicago. He worked for Serco, weather at the air base. After spending some time in conversation, he asked if we wanted a tour of the facilities. The Greek chorus roared a resounding "YES."
Goose Bay Airport was once one of the largest military air bases in North America. U.S. built a mega-track, long enough to land any plane and once employed 16,000 troops as a base to the SAC 1991. In the 1980 a space shuttle using a runway landing. We tower accompanied the weather forecast and taking into account a culinary tour of the facilities. The facility is divided into three sections: observation, military intelligence, and foresight. They are responsible for weather observation and reporting of an area of diameter of 240 K, the size of New England unless the state of Maine. We could not climb the tower adjacent air. The Royal Air Force, Royal Air Force had planned to start maneuvers low flying within minutes. We missed the launch of a U.S. AWACS plane a couple of hours. We went on deck and watched as the Tornado warplanes took off from runway landing, afterburners and a thunderous roar in their wake, a very exciting spectacle. Offs between the RCMP plane landed and rolled forward us. Other small commercial aircraft also shared the track. In other words, Goose Bay is a living, vibrant. Also the use of the facilities are German Air Force (Luftwafte), and the wing Canada 5.
At the base is a CANEX, a U.S. PX. Anyone can buy here. What makes this unique is the wide selection of food available for Labrador. Specialties are brought in from Germany and Britain, giving the military and women a sense home. The German club has a restaurant open to local citizens, but is closed to them until after the tourist season in mid-September.
A sunny day in Labrador. We saw some hiking trails in a brochure Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club. The trails are well maintained and go through different types of forest ecosystems. A poplar tree has the scars from when a bear tried to climb it. At the top of a hill, called Lookout Rock, have been able to have a panoramic view of Lake Melville and surrounding areas. Along the way we saw lots of fresh black bear droppings. We knew it was the black bear, because the preponderance of blueberries and crackerberries it. Not enough to make jam. NO!
We continue the drive to North West River and more Sheshitiu Melville along the lake about fifteen miles per lake. The cities are separated by a river and a chasm of cultural differences. Sheshitiu is Innui and is a resettlement community of hunters and gatherers in northern Canada. They have the common ground and have a little idea of private possessions and the permanence of the residences. It is a city travel through, but do not want to stay. Their possessions are supposed to be communal property and thus are considered as well. On the other side of the river live the Inuit and mestizos. Surprisingly There is no restaurant in the city, just a grocery store. What the city has to offer are its beautiful beaches and trails. There are also two important museums there: the Museum Labrador and the Labrador Interpretation Centre.
The Labrador Museum is divided into four sections: the hunter / gatherer lifestyle, Hudson Bay Trading Company, Grenfell Medical Mission work among the population, and the issuance of the Interior, 1903 Hubbard. We spent about an hour there, looking at exhibitions.
The Labrador Interpretation Centre was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997. A modern building with thousands of artifacts from the different peoples years Labrador solution. On display is a sealskin kayak 100 years, still seemed very useful. Mannequin models "were real people of Labrador. The Center also has a large auditorium showing two films on the different sections of Labrador.
Back home that fell in Aurora Hotel and took the satellite phone for our trip to Churchill Falls tomorrow. This is a free service, guaranteed by a credit card, on a twenty-four hours whereby you can contact the RCMP in the case of an emergency.
Before leaving on our trip Goose Bay to Churchill Falls and beyond that had heard about the art work in Labrador Medical Center about a hundred yards away. The people were right. The artwork is beautiful. Diana Dabinett, a San Juan artist made a series of painted silk tapestries that represent different aspects of Labrador: birds, marine life, animals and landscapes. It is hanging in the cafeteria with oil painting large scenes of Labrador, the coast, waterfalls, forested mountains. Along the corridors are popular sculptures by Inuit peoples and Innuit. All signs in the hospital are written in three languages: English, Innu, and Innuit.
With the satellite phone in hand, we went for adventure 180 miles along the gravel road from Route 500. The speed limit is 70 km / h (42 mph). The road is well maintained, but still raw. We saw two students working in different parts of the road .. Opinions are those of the black pine forest with aspen, birch, fir and other trees interspersed. The ground cover is mostly Caribou Moss, actually a lichen. Near the river Metchin This is the ORMA caribou hunting area. On one side of the road you can see the remains of caribou, have been killed for sports helmets, bones, etc.
We arrived at Churchill Falls after six hours of driving. We average about thirty-five miles per hour. This included frequent rest stops. We did not want to run through the area, due to the presence of potholes, etc.
We went on a tour of the Churchill Falls Hydroelectric Plant underground. This plant is the largest underground plant in the world, the seventh largest producer of electricity worldwide, with eleven turbines to produce enough electricity 60% for the province of Quebec and all of Labrador. We took an elevator more than nine meters in the rock where the rock is more than three billion (three billion U.S. dollars) years, some of the world's oldest rocks. I can not fathom that number. The trip to Labrador is something worth taking this tour of the plant, a marvel unknown in the world. The water tank used for production is the size of the province of New Brunswick. It takes three days for water to flow from it to reach a turbine meter.
The city itself is one of the few people in the company is still in existence. All homes and other facilities are owned and operated by the CFLCL, except the only gas station and restaurant complex. The library of a town of only 650 people is quite extensive and makes more than any library in the province of Newfoundland, including St. John. The city is a great place to work, but not removed. The winters are very difficult: -40 ° F and up to five meters of snow each year. Most people plan to stay only five years, but remain because they fell in love with living in the North. Most pickup trucks buying, snowmobiles (one per family member), canoes, boats and other recreational toys for adults. To exit the meeting of the same people at work, shopping, praying, etc, they build a hut outside the city. Everything is subsidized by the company, including food (the same prices San) De Juan, housing and freight costs.
The guide mentioned about getting a road in the state of roads in Labrador City, which fell our minds completely. Reminded us to pick up the satellite phone is coming, so we are very grateful. The road to Labrador City was an adventure. Some places where it could go mph fifty, but then, almost immediately you hit a series of washboard roads, reducing their speed to less than fifteen mph. There are students improve the road, but there is nothing to be improved since most of the top layer has been scraped and
We were lucky during our trip 160 miles. Only lost the top of our sewer line connection and broke a glass of wine. Everything was covered with a thin layer of dust. We wanted an adventure and our wish was fulfilled. I could still talk to each other quite civilly – with a little effort.
We toured Wabush and Labrador City, both cities were built in the years 60's and 70's due to iron deposits. First there was the railway from Sept-Iles, PQ. Later the road was built from Baie Comeau.
All mine tours ended the Friday before Labor Day. Once again we were a few days too late. We saw a couple of explosions. Wabash Mine provides a discount 12:15. Was small. The mine of the ICC, however, sparked a great one hour later.
About the Author
John and Maggie Pelley are Geriatric Gypsies. Both of us are retired from the rat race of working. We are full-time RVers, who ran away from home. We began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons. No more shoveling snow in Chicago. We have discovered volunteering with the National Park System. During our travels we have found that each town has a story to tell: some are more interesting than others. Both of us enjoy good listening music as we go. John has a CD he has recorded of Native American flure music. We have learned that RVing has a learning curve. We want to pass on some advice the help others avoid this trecherous curve. Life is an adventure. We are living it to the utmost.
Adventure Tunilik – World Class Quebec Caribou Hunts
