Where the Trans-Canada highway ends at North Sydney, the great waters begin. When I think of traveling to Newfoundland, this is hardly the way I could ever picture going. The shear beauty of the island here, gives way to a large parking lot filled in rows with cars and tractor trailers, lined up for entry onto the ferry. At the end of the ramp is a large ocean fairing ship much less like a ferry and much more like a large cruise or barge vessel. The blinding and shiny white paint on the side of the upper decks make it hard to see the Canada logo on the side. Caribou, it says further down in the lettering.
The terminal building is built a bit to look like the ships themselves and there are staircases that you can scale to get to the upper lookout and watch the vehicles board the ship. The better view is just over a bit though in the community area. There is a short boardwalk, and playground gear for the family, a little ice cream stand and another lookout. From here you can see the whole ferry and the machines rapidly moving here and there and the maintenance crews scouring the ship before it sails.
A young couple walks by holding hands and from a distance I can hear children playing on the playground. Downtown the teenagers hang out and push each other around. Yet here there is mostly solitude. Sonny gazes through the binoculars and we point out things of interest.
I have often wondered about Newfoundland and what wonders it would behold. I've seen the pictures and heard the tales and the folk music. I have spoke to many who have that fast, unique dialect that the uninitiated would have a hard time even understanding. One day I shall make the voyage with my daughter and wife and we will see what is there for ourselves. For today though, I know it will likely not be long before I am home and I can't help but to feel that Sonny as well feels he misses his home so far away.
B
