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Reed Cundiff · 07-17-2016, 03:51 PM

We are headed to Goose Bay/Happy Valley, Labrador (and then on to Blanc Sablon and over to Newfoundland) and just passed through Quebec City. We visited with friends from the beach in Yucatan that live in the beautiful little town of Bromont near Montreal. They told us that the church of St-Anne-de-Beaupre, about 40 or 50 km east of Quebec City on the north shore of the St. Lawrence has a campground for overnight travelers. Since this is July and all of Quebec is on vacation, or so they say, and we noted that the Provincial Parks are $45 Canadian and the CGs are about $60 Canadian and up, dry camping here on mown grass for $15 is a great price; particularly since all of the commercial CGs seemed to be full. We have 220 miles to go to Baie-Comeau where we head north on provencial 389. We shall see if we are really up to 500 or so miles of gravel in a Roadtrek.
Reed and Elaine

Reed Cundiff · 07-19-2016, 04:10 PM

Saw that there was a viewing area about 20 miles south of Baie-Comeaub(300 miles east of Quebec City on north shore of St Lawrence). Turns out there is free camping at this spot with the bay fifty feet away on one side and one feet on the other. Seals on a rocky island perhaps half a mile out, Gulls and Cormorants nesting on the islands, and a Raft of Guillemots about a quarter of mile out

nothermark · 07-19-2016, 04:28 PM

That trip sounds very tempting... can you get some pics?

Reed Cundiff · 07-20-2016, 10:41 AM

northermark

Attached (I hope) is photo Elaine took last night. Three other RVs wound up spending the night as well. It is apparently a well known spot to Quebecers. Tide was out this morning and there were lots of gulls.

We drove 30 miles to Baie Comeau and stopped at the tourist bureau (big building). The two young women were most helpful and gave us appropriate maps and road itineraries to Goose Bay. They also suggested we visit the Garden of Glaciers tourist stop (don't know if it is Quebec Province or Canadian state run). We will take both tours this afternoon ($15 C each) and then found they have superb free Wi-Fi and free overnight camping for one night (no facilities of course) with a gorgeous view of the St. Lawrence.
Reed and Elaine

nothermark · 07-21-2016, 03:21 AM

Thanks for the picture. I think I will start looking at a run up that way. It's not all that far from central NY and would be a nice change of pace.

**CountryFit** · 07-21-2016, 10:57 AM

3 years ago we went from acadia np to quebec city, beautiful scene, but didn't go further north. i'll note the spot we might go there again in next few years. have fun!!

Reed Cundiff · 07-22-2016, 12:23 PM

We left Baie Comeau yesterday on Quebec 389. Stopped at Manic 5 hydroelectric plant (Manic stands for Manicougan, the large 200,000,000 year old meteor crater that forms the lake for the dam. The uplift dome is 1800' above the level of the lake. The tour was free and excellent. Continued to roadmark 315 and spent the night at the gas station/restaurant. There are pulls off every 5 to 10 km for truckers to rest/spend the night. This was followed by 60 miles of gravel which is excellent traveling. Again, lots of places to pull of and spend the night. It is asphalt from the border of Labrador to Happy Valley/Goose Bay. Some folks think the gravel is easier driving than the asphalt since it is easily regraded and will have no frost heaves. We are in Labrador City. The information bureau is most helpful, has excellent wi-fi and permits spending the night. They gave directions to an RV dump, which has excellent signage. Would recommend this trip. It is still 300 miles to Goose Bay/Happy Valley - and then 360 miles of gravel to Red Bay.
Reed and Elaine

Reed Cundiff · 07-22-2016, 02:40 PM

Turns out the tourist bureau will let you use electricity if you park behind for one night. There is a camp ground 45 km east that we plan to utilize tomorrow since hot showers and laundry are about due. Take the mail/supply boat up coast to Nain and back starting on 1 August. There are 240 miles without fuel between Happy Valley and Port Hope Simpson. The woman at tourist bureau said that there have been a number of folks from US coming through.

Reed Cundiff · 07-22-2016, 06:03 PM

We drove by Manicougan crater yesterday evening and then again this morning. The crater is an astrobleme or asteroid crater. This impacted about 200,000,000 years ago and was between 3 and 5 km in diameter. The rebound dome rises 1800 feet above the lake.
Reed and Elaine

harryn · 07-22-2016, 06:12 PM

Thanks for pointing out the scenery. I looked up those sights using wikipedia - had no idea about those impact craters.

Reed Cundiff · 07-25-2016, 02:53 PM

We are in Churchill Falls, Labrador. The scenery and roads for the last 530 miles from Baie Comeau on St. Lawrence have been excellent. The tourist bureaus in both Labrador City and Churchill Falls told us where we could park for free since there are no RV parks close to either town. In fact there are only two between Baie Comeau and Goose Bay/Happy Valley (710 miles). The Labrador City tourist bureau said to just park behind the building and to use the electrical outlet if desired. The same is true in Churchill Falls. The roads are paved from Quebec/Labrador border to Goose Bay. There are 360 miles of gravel between Goose Bay and Red Bay. We have already done 130 miles of gravel and it has proven to be quite roadable
Reed and Elaine

HavingABlast · 07-28-2016, 08:30 AM

Thanks for starting and updating the thread. Your trip sounds amazing.

Reed Cundiff · 07-28-2016, 03:08 PM

We are in Goose Bay/Labrador. The 180 miles from Churchill Falls was excellent asphalt. The three or four bumps were well marked.

There are two RV parks near Labrador City but neither has facilities and are pretty much dry camping. They are the only two RV parks between Baie Comeau and Blanc Sablon (the ferry terminal to Newfoundland). You can pull off every 5 to 10 miles to spend the night at truck pull off and asphalted rest stops.

The tourist bureau in Labrador City permits parking on property and we spent the night behind the building. There are a couple of 110 AC outlets we were asked to use.

The city center in Churchill Falls suggests using either of two parking lots. We used the one at the stadium/school/hotel/library/... and both parking lots have 110 V AC outlets.

The RV park in Goose Bay/Happy Valley closed down last year. The tourist bureau suggested staying at Gosling Park on south end of Gosling Lake. This is delightful and we are enjoying it. There are no hookups or facilities.

We are spending time seeing the sights through this weekend and then take the supply/mail boat up to Nain on Monday and return Friday. We will probably spend the weekend and head down to Red Bay on Sunday or Monday. It is 360 miles of gravel to Red Bay with a 260 mile section without fuel stop. We will take 10 gallons of extra fuel just in case.
Reed and Elaine

w2drfg · 07-30-2016, 03:47 AM

I m interested in a trip in the future to Nova Scotia and reading about your trip. It is good info just to know about camping spots and gravel roads. I assume the temperature is nice this time of year.