This article originally appeared in the July 25, 2007 edition of The Nor'Wester.
Warmth of people invites visitors to return
The Nor’wester
Ralph and Nancy Carrestia of Newark, New Jersey, were only two of the 49 people who traveled in their own motor homes to a meeting place in Maine to meet up with Adventure Caravans who was bringing them on a tour of this province, but certainly were two who thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Green Bay area. They even left with their own lobster pot for a relative who “would love it,” said Mr. Carrestia.
The group traveled to the Island as a group on the Argentia ferry earlier this month and have been making stops at many sights along the way including St. John’s, Twillingate, Gander, Rocky Harbour, St. Anthony and Southern Labrador, along with a stop in Springdale at the George Huxter Memorial RV Park for three days.
Springdale’s economic development officer Todd Mercer traveled to Texas along with Merv Buckle of Buckle Enterprises last spring in an attempt to encourage more tour operators to bring their business to this part of the province. Adventure Caravans was one of the businesses that saw their presentation and bought into the idea for this season.
The companies were impressed with what they saw in the presentation, said Mr. Mercer, which included visits to King’s Point and Rattling Brook and a day trip to Little Bay Islands on a chartered bus tour.
The tourists who got to experience the tours were also impressed by their experiences in the region.
There was a screech-in held at Riverwood Inn one evening for the visitors, which included live musicians, and lots of good time Newfoundland fun, hosted by the town of Springdale. They also visited local sights in Springdale including the Women’s Institute, Mainmast Museum and the Springdale Heritage Society. Another day included the trip to King’s Point and Rattling Brook and the next saw the group visit Little Bay Islands, a trip the nor’wester accompanied them on.
Entertainment was provided for them while traveling on the ferry with 16-year old Matthew Bowers playing accordion for the visitors. They had a lunch at the local church basement on the island and then were taken on a bus tour of the island with tour guide Doris Tucker and Merv Buckle driving the bus, and later a hike to Pole Hill overlooking the quaint town.
“This is the most relaxed we have felt on this caravan tour,” said Rita Desmond of Panama City Beach, Florida, while traveling back to Springdale on the ferry with bottled products she purchased from Brianna Oxford of Little Bay Islands who was selling homemade items at the church.
Betsy Peters of Lewes, Delaware said she and her husband were quite enjoying their first trip to Newfoundland and Labrador as well.
“The people are great. They are so welcoming and friendly. We wish we could take some of that back with us,” she said. “We feel like we’ve died and gone to heaven. The warmth and friendliness is amazing. It is like that song, ‘Music and Friends.’ That says it all,” she said.
Ms. Peters said they are attracted to the idea of caravan tours like this one because they maintain their independence in their own RV but also enjoy the safety that traveling with a group often brings.
“Also, things are done for you. The tours have already determined the best places to see. They know the hot spots, which is really nice. That is taken care of,” she said.
Story by Elizabeth Macdonald. Copyright 2007 Transcontinental Media. Reproduced with permission.
