Ferry take 2 (8/9/23 Wed)

Up at 0600, no campsite coffee, just packed up and hit the road by 0715. First 50 feet onto the highway Anne reported her gps just fell off into the road. I u-turned back, collected the parts before any traffic could further disassemble it. Luckily it snapped back together and still works. But it can no longer be listed for sale in nice condition.

Our plan was to stop for gas and a quick meal along the road north. We only had about 45 minutes to use for that before missing the ferry. I really wanted to split up the 2.5 hour ride with that one stop. The only gas/restaurants we knew about occurred in the first 30 minutes. So we pushed on.

I passed a Robbin's that would have been good, but only appeared to be a drivethrough. The next station/restaurant look ok, but at first I thought it was closed, so we passed it too.

Eventually reaching the Irving we used last year, and where we met our friend Paul from VT. We remembered it better than it really was. Coffee, banana bread and a nuked breakfast sandwich split between us. Food yes, but nothing to "write about".

One hour later we reached the ferry terminal 15 minutes before the ship left without us. The ticket office did call and ask, but bikes load first on a lower deck, so the late arrival ferry ride was a no. We bought tickets for the 1530 crossing, which lines up at the dock to load at 1430.

There is a restaurant at the ferry ticket office, but was take-out only. The ferry ticket office parking lot was a bit too windy and exposed for the mornings weather to choose eating outside, escpecially when we had a few hours to waste. With some time on our hands we road north to Flower Cove and "GNP Diner" (pka L&E Restaurant). It's a much nicer breakfast stop, about 15 minutes north of the ferry terminal. Soup and sandwich it was, then coffee and pie.

During lunch I checked the weather and maps to see what our late ferry might change. The plan was to cross, find a campsite, hike a trail and/or museum before catching the late 1530 ferry back Thursday. Weather made the choice easy, as the Thursday rain now covered more of Newfoundland and Labrador. Expecting a rain day I called ahead for two nights at a motel near the museum in Red Bay. That still fit our schedule and increased our chances of riding back in dry weather. Flexibility is a great thing when traveling.

We tried unsuccessfully to kill more time, but arrived back at the ferry loading dock with plenty of time to wait for the ferry to arrive and unload. Bikes do load first on the lower deck. It was very clear why we couldn't load late. The ferry somehow managed to be 90 minute late.

Just like the last ferry, they expect bikes to be strapped down with 2 tie-downs. We complied and went to find seats. Smooth seas for the next 1h+45m.

Anne has been journaling in a book with starter quotes/questions. I asked her to give me one.

"_Describe the road you're currently traveling and how the quote on this page speaks to you.

Quote: It's your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. -Rumi_"

I am physically exploring North America while mentally exploring my post job identity and planning what I might try next in my life.

The flexibility I am enjoying in my travels, I intend to apply to my next steps in life. I am very lucky to have so many options available to me. As well as friends that I enjoy "walking with". Forcing a single predetermined path forward is very limiting and blinds one to lots of great opportunities. I have no need to be ridged. I can sample retirement, and self employment opportunities first and still consider another "job" if it becomes required or the job just fits me well.

Not sure about the "no one can walk it for you" part of the quote. It just doesn't fit my road well, beyond someone else initiating my start in this direction. For decades I was confident I could pivot and do well outside of the academic environment. Certain that I could make more income on that path. In many ways I see this as a challenge to prove it.

Welcome to Labrador. On our way up the coast we stopped to take a few pictures. One by the Labrador sign. Another when Anne saw her first iceberg.

We reached our motel room about 1930. Just enough time before dark to snap photos and move in. Then we ate that PB&J and had some tea.