Day 1 (August 6, 2026): "Take me to the Terra Nova!"

I asked Mom and Dad earlier this summer, "Where would you like to go for a road trip?"  King's Point in Green Bay is the only Newfoundland pastoral charge where they served together that to which they have not returned in recent years. So that was tempting!  However, it's a long drive from their home.  So, we decided against it.  Beyond that, Dad didn't have think long before he shared: "I'd like to go back to the Terra Nova River and try to get a fish (salmon)."  That sealed the deal!  We planned on a quick trip to Glovertown, through which the Terra Nova River passes, with an added night at Placentia on the way home.

Pam and I flew into St. John's last night. Unfortunately, my suitcase didn't arrive. I waited around until after lunch today to see if it might arrive, but no luck.  I set out from St. John's at 1:30PM -- about five hours later than I had hoped to leave -- and picked up Mom and Dad at 3PM sharp.  We did a picnic at Whitbourne, with A&W 'floats' added to the mix, and arrived in Glovertown at 6:30PM. 

My Aunt Mona had kindly invited us for supper at her home, so that was our first stop. It was so nice to see my Aunt Mona, as well as my Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Kevin and my cousin, Bill.  Uncle Kevin agreed to take Dad to the river at dusk for an evening 'try' at a salmon. Dad got to spend over an hour on the river, as Uncle Kevin and I caught up on things on the riverbank.

Another cousin, Jim, had kindly agreed to let us stay in a second home that he has purchased and renovated in Glovertown for his weekend visits. What a comfortable spot adjacent to Angle Brook! 

Despite the late start to our road trip, we managed to get things on track.  After a good night's sleep, more salmon fishing awaits Dad in the morning!


Mom said it was her first 'float' since the 1950s!  They both enjoyed their A&W root beer floats to the last drop!

My cousin's weekend place is adjacent to Angle Brook. What a beautiful spot!

And there he is:  at age 94, the fly fisherman and salmon angler extraordinaire is about to start his first fishing experience in a few years. He was so excited! 

It was a pure joy to watch my dad on the river - a river he has known like the back of his hand since he was a child.

It amazes me how Dad can place a salmon fly at exactly the spot he wants it to go!




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