I returned the car to the airport on time Tuesday. There was an information/security desk there and the Avis rep was having breakfast or something so I enquired about public transportation going to Gros Morne. There were two options, the Viking Express and a shuttle I was told. They were taken aback when I asked if they stopped at the airport. The stop is at the Irving station of course. Although i didn’t see any computer around I asked about internet access and that was negative as well. After I got checked out the only thing to do was to hike back to the Visitor Info Centre in 45 minutes. I double checked the Gros Morne transportation to learn that the Viking Express only went south today and north tomorrow. However, instead of one shuttle there are two, one going to Rocky Harbour and the other to Woody Point. Both leave around 5:00 but it would be good to be there for 4:30. I had a lot of time to kill so enquired if there were any hiking opportunities close by. That was a tough question that got a reluctant response that I could walk on the trail at the lake. I also asked about a comment in the Deer Lake tourist pamphlet that said you could “cruise” to the coast. I didn’t see how a boat could navigate to the coast but it meant taking a cruise in your car. I found the trail by the Lake and it was pretty pathetic but it ate up an hour or so. I looked at my material for accomodation at Gros Morne and decided on the Evergreen Lodge in Rocky Harbour. I made a reservation by phone and they would pick me up where the bus dropped me off in Rocky Harbour. It was now about 4:00 with nothing to do but wait for the Pittman shuttle to Rocky Harbour. There was a section of the huge parking lot marked “BUS STOP” with a few picnic tables presumably for passengers waiting for buses. I sat there most of the time until it started to rain when I went inside but staying close to the window. The south-bound Viking Express arrived first, followed by the DRL. About 5:10 the Martin shuttle for Woody Point pulled in. At 5:20 I asked about the Pittman shuttle but nobody had any information,not even their telephone number. I looked in the Deer Lake phone book and came up empty too. I phoned to cancel my reservation explaining the reason. He knew the number for Pittman that ran out of Norris Point so called on another line to find out what had happened. It had left Cornerbrook on time and should be arriving in Rocky Harbour shortly was the message. However, he obtained the driver cell number and spoke to him about missing a passenger in Deer Lake. His apparent response was that anyone who wanted to be picked up there should phone. Of course there is no way that a visitor will find the number. I was some ticked-off and just wanted to get out of Deer Lake ASAP but it was better to get a good sleep and decide in the morning. Instead of looking for a B&B again I decided to blow a bundle and go across the highway to the Deer Lake Motel.
The DL Motel is just your typical Holiday Inn style place but they did advertise internet access. However, that was onlu if you had your laptop with you. Despite the money and the lack of internet it was a good place for me to stay because I was in no mood to engage in pleasant conversation with B&B operators. In addition dinner and breakfast was readily available in the Coffee Shop so I didn’t have to go out in the rain and there was a hockey game to watch.
In the morning I was still resolved to pass up Gros Morne and move on to St. John’s. My conclusion was that in practical terms access to the park is restricted to people with wheels. The public transportation is geared solely to locals making regular use of it and thereby familiar with all its idiosyncracies. I noticed that Memorial University in St. John’s offered dorm rooms just like St FX and that the DRL bus stopped there. I made reservations there for Wednesday and Thursday by phone. Also it was simple to find their office on campus because you just go straight ahead where you see a group of residence buildings to Hatcher House to the right of the group. The bus departed at 12:30 from Irving of course but you should be there for 12:00. I had plenty of time to wait so I went over to the Visitors Information Centre to relate my experience and conclusion. She was appalled. She lived in Rocky Harbour and used the shuttle all her life and had never heard of phoning to be picked up. Although she disagreed with my conclusion she could understand where I was coming from.
The bus left on time and I took a seat near the back because it was pretty full. As soon as we got going I noticed the smell of fumes but I guess I got used to that. Also whenever we went around curves there was a thumping noise. I overheard one of the passengers make the observation that there was no paper in the washroom. Good information to have; be sure to use facilities at the stops. Our “dinner” stop was in Gander at the airport cafeteria. Returning to the bus I found my seat was taken. The aisle seat was still available so I took that which was actually better because I could put one leg in the aisle. Also in Gander a woman got on with a cup of coffee which she sat on the floor. It fell over and the lid fell off of course. i didn’t lift my day pack quite early enough but it dried out before we got to St. John’s. When the woman noticed the mishap she told the attendant/ticket taker who said it was OK it is just the floor. By the time we were approaching St. John’s all seats were taken and at Mount Pearl after considerable thumping the motor shut down and we stopped. It must be a common occurence because the driver just pulled off the road, waited thirty seconds and restarted.
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