Johnboy11267

Greetings! I was planning a trip to NF this year, but I was financially unable. So, I'm planning for next year during the last week in June and the first week in July. I will be driving from the US (2 days from WV to N. Sydney Ferry, NS). I know it sounds like a lot of driving, but I've driven coast-to-coast 3 times in the US and car rental rates (which don't seem to include unlimited mileage) in NF are a bit high. Plus, I like the idea of bringing whatever I want from home along with me.
I'm allowing 12 days for touring NF. My itinerary includes Gros Morne, St. Anthony/ L'Anse aux Meadows, Bonavista Peninsula, Woody Island, Cape St. Mary's and Witless Bay Ecological Reserves and finally, St. John's. I've done a lot of research and came to the hard realization that I just can't do it all! I would appreciate any comments or suggestions on what I've included in my itinerary.
I do have some questions. How early should I book accomodations, especially places like Quirpon Lighthouse Inn?
What about driving times and speed limits? i.e.- NL database states St. Anthony to Cow Head is about 4 hrs. drive at the speed limit, while other sources say more. What's the best source for accurate driving times?
And one last question. My partner and I were planning to stay mostly at B & B's across the province. I've read that NF is Gay and Lesbian friendly and I've visited the Purple Roofs website which does not seem to list accomodations in some of the areas I plan to visit. How comfortable (or awkward) will it be (for us as well as the hosts) staying in someone's home for a night?
Answers or comments to any or all parts of this very long posting are welcome.
Thanks, John M.

LJ

Wow, this is a lot of questions. I will try to break it down. First, you are visitng NL not NF...just a finicky detail but it is Newfoundland Labrador.

Second, I think you are wise to concentrate on one side of the island and NOT try to do too much. it is a vast territory and you can save Gros Morne etc. for another visit.

Because you are part of a same-sex couple, I am going to suggest the east coast of the province as first-timers. Your advice that NL is gay-friendly is probably a good assumption but it will be less tested in the east than in the west. For example, St. John's has a church where equal sex marriages are performed: there is no counterpart in Western NL. There are LGBTF websites that have specific information for St. John's, but it is my sense you will be more comfortable there and in the surrounding Avalon Peninsula where the tourist industry is just that bit more sophisticated.

Plan your trip to arrive in Argentia, not Port aux Basques. Get a cabin on the ferry going across and you will catch up on your missed sleep.

Use St. John's as a base and do day trips and then branch out.

You will love Witless Bay and Cape St.Mary's. Don't miss Twillingate. See Cape Spear and do the Marine Drive. Hike Signal Hill. Do go whale-watching and you may be in time for icebergs. If I have more specific info I will post.

Johnboy11267

Thanks for all the info. I especially appreciate your honest views on gay travel. I kind of anticipated that's how it would be. We are a very discreet and private couple, but would still rather not have to pretend otherwise everytime we check in. One concern I have about travelling by ferry is that little notice on Marine Atlantic's site about "inclement weather and mechanical break downs that may result in either the delay or cancellation of a scheduled sailing". Does that happen regularly? Should I allow an extra travel day just in case?

George

Hi:

My wife & I have taken the ferry over a dozen times, both the long & short ferry. The only delay we have encountered was in 2005. Four hour delay leaving Port-aux-Basques.

I would also add that I agree with the recommendations given by LJ above. I would confine my first visit to the eastern portion of the Province.

Regards.

LJ

Having lived in NL in the past and therefore was dependent on the ferries, I will say that weather CAN slow you down (once spent 36 hours bobbing up and down just outside Port aux Basques, but thats another life)... 99 times out of 100, that is a winter thing and you will be just fine in the June/July timing you speak of.

Have a wondrful time planning and as you get closer, do two things...get the latest (2008) edition of the Newfoundland Labrador Tourism Guide when available and come back to Fodors with specific questions. I have good friends who live there, share your lifestyle and would be happy to answer questions.

mat106

Just adding my 2 cents worth, based on a visit to NL a number of years ago. We had limited time and couldn't do it all either. I opted for the difficult decision of saving St. John for a future trip, and did Twillingate then drove across to Gros Morne. I just wanted to say that Gros Morne is a truly spectacular place, very worthy of its status as a National Park. But I agree that the relatively "big" city of St. John might be more comfortable than the small rural communities of the west.

Johnboy11267

Thanks to everyone for your advice and input. I will keep everything in mind as I have plenty of time to prepare for my trip.

LJ

Johnboy-when it gets closer to the date, come back on: I have friendly B&B reccos for you...