Day 3 (August 8, 2026): Placentia and back to Clarke's Beach

A leisurely breakfast of French toast started the day in the AirBnB.  Mom and Dad really enjoy the space and relaxed atmosphere that an AirBnB brings, and this one did not disappoint!

At 10:30AM, we set out to explore Placentia and its environs.  It was a cloudy and cool start to the day, but the sun came out by noon.  We walked the wonderful boardwalk along Placentia's beach, explored a park in the town, and then we headed to Castle Hill, with its great vistas of Placentia.  From there, we drove to Argentia to see where the ferry to Nova Scotia lands and what is left of the former American base.  Lunch was a picnic overlooking the spectacular Northeast Arm.  Then, we were homeward bound, arriving back in Clarke's Beach just after 2PM -- 47 hours after we had first left Mom and Dad's driveway!

I mowed their lawn, and then we explored their prosperous 2026 vegetable garden before heading down to the river that runs along the back of their acre.

It was sad to say goodbye to them, but we all have such wonderful memories of our 2026 road trip. And, God willing, there will be more such road trips to come!  Maybe even another 'go' at the Terra Nova River in 2027!

The Placentia Boardwalk.

The beach in Placentia.


The engineering marvel that is the Placentia Lift Bridge.

Site of the former Fort Frederick in Placentia.

Due to a massive flood of the Placentia townsite in December 1993, the town constructed a steel wall around the part of the town bordering on Southeast Arm.  The wall is quite a marvel in itself.

Castle Hill National Historic Site

The view of Placentia from Castle Hill.  It shows what a strategic point the location was for the French, in guarding the townsite.


Lietuenant Carole and Commandant Joe!


There are three sailings per week between Argentia and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. The ferry was loading up as we visited.  The nearby tourist information kiosk told us the ferry has been sold out all summer, with up to 700 people coming in three times a week.  Marine Atlantic is planning to increase frequency to five crossings per week next year, and they have extended the crossings into October this year, due to high demand.

The mountainous Newfoundland coastline as seen from Argentia.

Northeast Arm is a huge bay northeast of Placentia.


Northeast Arm provided a magnificent view for our mid-day picnic before heading home. 

Back in Clarke's Beach, I loved seeing the impressive progress of Mom and Dad's summer 2026 garden!

Grapes on a new grapevine that an Eastlink door-to-door salesman gave to Mom and Dad.

2026 is going to have quite an apple crop.

The boat that Dad built at age 86 sits under tarps down by the river.

I'm no spring rooster anymore, but even at my age, I love coming home to see my dear parents!  It was a short but wonderful trip together.


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