Surprising Drive to Grand Bank June 22

Except for the one day, that we went out of the way to take a more"scenic" drive, the vistas have been exceptional. I was certain that this would not be the case today. 

 I had taken this drive over 15 years ago, and all I remember was desolation and barrenness, and I promise you, I am not exaggerating.

So, either the more mature me, is studying the landscapes with a new generous eye, or things have really changed. Probably, it's a little of both. My last time around, there was not much in the way of greenery. I think that I had been looking at the after effects of widespread forest fires. And as for the barren areas, I just wasn't capable of appreciating the subtleness of the beauty at that time. 

I don't think that we've driven through any town yet, that isn't on a pond (lake), a major stream or on the ocean. We drove through the town of Clarenville and it felt like coming back to civilization again, because they had some of the bigger stores that we haven't seen for a few days.

       (There's a town nestled in there.)

And suddenly, lupins are in bloom everywhere. I understand, that in Ontario, they are considered an invasive plant. You see the purple spikes everywhere.  So far, I'm seeing them here in 3 welcoming colors- pink, white and purple.

I attempted to limit the photo stops during the drive, because sometimes, when it's a long drive, we just want to get "there". Which is silly, because this entire holiday, is just a long road drive. 

On my earlier drive, I'm quite certain that there had not been any gas stations or restaurants once you left The Trans Canada Highway, and headed south for 2 hours. Chas v'shalom, I might miss a meal, so I stocked up on Twinkies at the last gas station. But this time, there was a gas station, half way down, which we didn't need, and a restaurant, that I always need.

Saved again. BTW, still not sick of partridgeberry pie.

Finally, we arrived at our latest BnB. There are flowers everywhere that the owner's dad had planted from seeds, that he starts in his own green house. When a  hydro line came through the area years ago, the land was cleared and the dad picked up a 130 trailer fulls of the trees and bushes, turned it into mulch, and eventually it turned into dirt, and was thus able to start his gardens. As usual, we're just a few days too early. There are fragrant red and white roses that are just beginning to bloom.

Also has a henhouse.

And he has carved a trail into the woods.

 So pretty here. Doesn't hurt that I've been able to shed two outer layers and am now lolling on the veranda. I'm also slightly bemused because, I've literally traveled almost all over the world, and I've had nice cotton robes and slippers waiting for us, but this would be the first time that I found heavy plush velour robes hanging in the closet.  Did not expect to find in 

Grand Bank, of all places .

During dinner, spoke to a couple, who just moved to a home here, in Grand Bank, that they  had purchased, a 1960s bungalow for 120,000 (only 900.00 yearly taxes), retired from Winnipeg. They've lived everywhere from BC, to Alberta and London, Ontario. Their plan had been to live in every province, and then the pandemic hit while they were in St. John's, Nfld and they were stuck. And eventually, they decided to stay . I've had all sorts of people telling me ideal places in the world to retire, but not even once, has anyone suggested the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland.

Oh, dear, it's 8:30 at night, and a warm snack was just delivered to our room.