CCCT Part II - Port Hastings to Iona, NS

Friday, July 5, 2013 - Day 22
I had set my alarm for 6:30 AM but Bev was already up at 6:15 AM, dressed and off to the Canadian Tire gas station across the highway to get Gatorade and sandwiches for our days journey. I got up and started packing. We went over to the restaurant for breakfast at 7:00 AM. we both had French toast and hot chocolate. We were all packed and ready to leave at 8:00 AM. After a short downhill we started climbing to get to the on ramp for the #105. The climb went on for 3 kms. Needless to say it didn't take long to work up a sweat which lasted all day. It was again very hot and humid with no wind not even a gentle breeze to help cool us down. we had to make frequent stops to keep from over heating. each hill was harder and harder to climb. we stopped at a gas station in Whycocomagh. There were mostly natives and one guy with a 2 foot long ponytail. He was quite impressed that we had cycled across Canada and were on our way to St. Johns, NL. After filling up his truck he came back to shake my hand. We hadn't yet gone 10 kms when I saw a young deer standing at the side of the road. I was still quite a ways from it when I saw a car coming in the opposite direction. Just as the car was passing the deer it ran across the highway and smacked into the back of the car. The deer did a half flip and once it was back on its feet it ran back into the woods. Bev who was behind me saw the car go by with a big dent in its rear fender. If the deer had waited another second he would have been able to cross the highway safely!!! We cycled to the ferry crossing at Little Narrows. There was no charge for cyclists. According to our map we expected to find a VIC nearby after crossing over to L. N. There was only a convenience store where we were able to get a cold drink and information re a motel in Iona that was a further 23 kms down the road!!! We sat outside the C. S. on a park bench and ate our lunch. At the C. S. we had met a young fellow who lived nearby. It turned out he lived about 8 kms from Iona. We stopped for a moment across the highway from a house where we saw a guy cutting the grass in his front yard. It turned out to be Andrew from the C.S. We went over and asked him for some cold water which he was only to glad to give us. We had to wait outside while he went in to fill our bottles as he had a none to friendly German Shepherd dog inside. Andrew also told us that the Legion in Iona, which was a short walk from the Highland Inn where we planned to stay, was having a roast beef dinner that evening. We finally arrived at the Highland Inn at 2:45 PM and managed to get a room at $99 with mini fridge, TV, Wi-Fi and a great view of the bay. After showering I lay down for a nap and later walked to the Legion for dinner. We were there just after 5:00 PM and still ended up with #40 & 41. We had a couple cold beers while waiting for dinner to be served at 6:00 PM. There was roast beef with mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, gravy and cole slaw and water melon and fresh bread and butter all for $11.50 each. There was also a band that was supposed to start playing at 7:00 but it took them quite a while to set up their equipment and then they sat down to eat. Rather than wait another hour or so for them to finish eating we decided to head back to our motel. Back at the motel we went to the shop managed by the motel and got a small tub of ice cream which Bev and I shared when we got back to our room. The shop also sold beer and liquor so it was doing a roaring business as it was Friday night and everyone was stocking up for the weekend. The Wi-Fi was quite good but I was to tired to do any blogging. Watched some TV, sent an e-mail to Mike Yetman re coming by Corner Brook to visit and have a pint or two. Off to bed at 9:30 PM.
Mike and Pearl Yetman's, Robinsons, NL