NL 2014 Adventure: Day 29 – August 1st

Day 29 – August 1^st – La Scie

Again we awoke to very nice weather. First day of August, where did the days go??

Today we had originally planned to drive around the area and visit the different small towns. Unfortunately, after talking to many of the locals and others from away that we met in the park we decided to stay in La Scie because the roads are in horrible shape. This turned out to be the best choice, as you will soon find out.

We started the day outside the local library to access an open internet site, that was very strong and excellent band width. Joan checked emails and I was able to post some of the past due blogs; while Vance and Diane walked around the area taking pictures and was invited into local’s home for coffee. The four of us then took a small drive around town past the closed fish processing plant and back to the Outpost Museum, Gift Shop & Tea Room.

The museum was fairly small but did an excellent job showing the town’s history and the French influence “back in the day”. Following a guided tour of the museum it was very near lunch so we decided to stay for a bite to eat in the tea room that was attached to the front of the museum.

This turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. A number of locals dropped in for lunch and discussions and laughter ensued, especially around the attempts of Vance to eat a very hot and wonderful French Onion Soup. Vance was laughing so hard he was in tears!! Diane and Joan had the cod chowder (cod was caught yesterday), which was also excellent. Valerie and Larry who are both from La Scie run the Museum, Gift Shop and Tea Room. Larry’s father, grandfather and great grandfather grew up in this house that is now the museum.

Mike "On The Spoons"

Joan playing the Ugly Stick with Valerie
On the Hand Drum.

Following lunch, Valerie asked us if anyone played a musical instrument or sang, the room got really quiet all of a sudden; there was no screech around to build up any confidence I guess.

After serving lunch to four people from the Massachusetts and South Carolina areas, Valerie brought out her Ugly Stick which Joan nor Vance had never seen before. Pretty soon Joan was playing the Ugly Stick, I was playing the spoons and Valerie was playing a small drum. Let the Kitchen Party begin!

To the amazement and enjoyment of the Americans we then moved into the front room of the Museum and continued with Larry (Valerie’s husband) playing his guitar, Valerie playing the Ugly Stick, Diane and I playing different kinds of spoons and with Joan played a new instrument called the "Cod Banger" (this uses same idea as an Ugly Stick, but is closer in shape to a half-tambourine). We had a hoot!! Next thing you know Valerie and Joan are doing a little dance. To say we had a great time was an understatement! What an excellent experience!

After the fun we thanked our hosts and went to stock up on some groceries and back to the campsite. We all took some excellent pictures of the sunset which we could watch from right outside our trailers.