Just Go to Newfoundland!

On March 22, 2007 Lauren and I flew to Cornerbrook NFLD to attend Whitey and Janet's Wedding. The title of this blog sums up the trip to a tee. Just go. The place is incredible and we were told this time of year, the region loses it's beauty. I hope by the pictures you can see that is simply not true. I would put it in any conversation as one of the prettiest places in our country. Right behind Cole Harbour;). The weekend started with a long layover in Halifax which was perfect for us as Mom and Dad and Lauren's mom and Niece Brianna came and met us for breakfast. Great to catch up, get some time, and to see Bri growing (even since Christmas). Cots came and grabbed us from the airport and him and I went and grabbed a beer at Jungle Jim's after checking in. Jungle Jim's in a lot of ways catered the weekend as we ate there way more than we should of. That first beer was delicious though and great to see Andy. I always love the reminders of when you see friends face to face for the first time in a while and you pick up right where you left off. From there Lauren and I headed out seperately for a Jack and Jill night where the two groups met up later on at Jennifer's Pub. The next morning a crew of us headed to Lark Harbour for some snowshoing:

This is where we parked the car to start the trek. The plan for the snowshoing was to find a scenic harbour surrounded by the rustic peaks. When you park your car looking at this, it's hard not to think you've already found the best spot.


Yeah I said snowshoing. Hard to see the need from this pic but the further we went into the woods the happier we were to have them on. Even this hill is a lot steeper than it looks and having the metal blades to dig in was needed. Speaking of metal blades digging in, thanks Keith.


Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to one of the 10 most beautiful places in Canada.


Inlet lake, foam and ice covered harbour, massive peaks surrounding a rustic and isolated gem. Usually you have to share beauty with other travellers. The whole snowshoing adventure we didn't see one other person.

Lauren went down to the water with Pitts (won't tell you what happened) but she did get this great pic of all the driftwood and ice and foam in the background at Cedars Cove. That night we headed out to the Meet and Greet for Janet and Chris and then back to the hotel for a room party and Greco Pizza. God Love Greco. Please come west Mr. Greco. Please.

The next morning Jenn and Sara (just realized I don't know to spell either one of those, sorry girls if I got it wrong) Boyne and Lauren and I went to Gros Morne National Park. For all wondering, Gros Morne means "Great Lone Bill" and is often referred to as the Galapagos of Geology. There are Caution Moose signs all over Canada but none do it the same justice as these Caution Signs which are all the way through the park. Car 0 Moose 1.

Gros Morne was completely shut down based on the off season. Yep this is the off season. Hard to imagine we weren't there on the best day of 2007. If you have never been to Gros Morne, add it to the list you keep in your wallet.

The end of the road in Rocky Harbour. This was our turnaround point to head back to Cornerbrook for the wedding.

Great pic of Alex (Salid) and Heather (who get married later this year) and our Gros Morne travel buddies, the Boyne sisters.

Congrats Janet and Chris! You guys hosted a perfect weekend. We had high expectations and everything that happened exceeded them.

Get a haircut Brennan.

The Boys. Left to right, Andy Cotnam (Cots) who reminded us all with his best man speech that he has a gift, Brendan (Whitey's younger brother), the groom, and Keith (Mad Dog), with Keith's schedule of being on 3 weeks and off 3 weeks Lauren and I have missed him most trips home so it was great to get a couple of days with the guy. While I lived in Hali I saw Keith more than anyone else, now the opposite is true. Alberta is great and there are so many awesome people and things but this weekend was one big reminder of how great life is in the East.

Janet and Chris had a great idea to make everyone from away Honorary Newfoundlanders (this by the way took the whole party to another level and it never came down). In order to pass, one of the the tests was to put on rubber boots and a sou'wester and do a Newfie Jig. This is me and Salid gettin er done.

Lauren gettin the boots up over the knees and Jiggin' with Chris Pitts. This whole scene was video taped and the pictures do it very little justice.

Trout? Cod? Either way it counts. Please don't tell me I have to do it again.


Ah the Screech. My favorite part of this pic is that you can tell which way it was being passed out. Alex is drinking it but it's pretty obvious between Sara and Heather who just drank it:). Heather's face says it all and Sara has no idea of the hurt she is reaching down to grab when this photo was taken.

Clockwise, Salid, Andy, Jenn, Lauren, and Hillary celebrating their honarary Newfoundlander certificates.

The certificate said "Let it be known that the bearer of this document, has shown that he/she has Ate the Newfie Steak, kissed the cod, downed the Screech, and shouted "Long May Your Big Jib Draw!" while proudly wearing a Sou'wester hat and rubber boots while dancing a newfie jig."

The wedding ended with Janet and Chris being locked up in hand cuffs and thrown in the back of a police cruiser. It was a joke as one of the guys knew the police and it was pretty funny.

The next day the whole crew went to Marble Mountain sking for the day and had a great time. Unfortunately I forgot the camera. That night Meeghan and Scott Evans had us over to their house for a huge feast. They are great hosts. Guys are allowed to eat supper watching basketball and golf.

Great to see everyone and thanks again to Janet and Chris for hosting.

Meg and Chris Come West!

Sean, Dave, Megs, Chris, and Janine on the way home from the Rose and Crown


Dave, Chris, Megs, and Janine walking home


"He needs arms, Are there branches anywhere?"


In Goderich, winter fun is not about building the perfect snowman but instead the perfect snow duck.


Lauren on the other hand was doing her best to avoid getting hit by snowballs.


Lord Brennan and Dutchess Boutilier at high tea.


Winter walk at Lake Louise. It should be noted it was 16 degrees when we left Calgary.


Megs and Sean hanging out in the snow.


Lauren doing her best Mary impression.


Megs looking a little bit nervous about trying the long blades at the Olympic Oval.

Fernie 2007

There was so much snow! This is first run of the day and Amy at the top of the mountain.


Lauren weaving away through the trees.




Ski hill in the background, hot tub, cold beer, hence the smiles. Lenny and Amy.



Lauren about to cross under the road through the houses at the bottom of the hill



Cheesy Sweater Party! Lenny (Jackie) and me hanging out.





The Baileys won the comptition with these little numbers. Yes, that is pink fur.




Lauren, Amy, and Colleen.


This was the place we rented. 20-22 of us piled in for three days.




Who were the 21 people? All decked out in the cheesy sweaters, this was the Fernie crew 2007.