Gravel Travel, Baby 2026

[RichardPT]

Richard Thanks for the info. We tend not to be really keen on "long in advance" commitments on the road, generally preferring to let things unfold as the trip progresses but we are definitely taking your comments to heart. We will jump on the NSydney/Port aux Basques ferry booking right away. It sounds like the St. Barbe/Blanc Sablon ferry to Labrador is a bit more of a milk run but we will still book it when we are able to. On another note, if you get anywhere near the Kootenays during your your pending trip, give a shout we have coffee, beer, food and a full service parking lot for camping(snow free..)!!

Yay, excellent. Thanks for the invite, will see how things go. We'll be driving sometime the second week of March from Calgary to Oliver, will see which way we'll go. Back to the ferries topic: Labrador ferry should be easier to book closer to the time but don't expect to book it a day before the crossing; we made that assumption few years back and run out of time. Port aux Basques ferry gets decent amount of cancellations so if you are flexible and don't need the cabin may get lucky. Both ferries are very much dependent on weather, we've seen up to 3-4 days of no crossings due to storms etc. We usually choose overnight crossings as we have a long drive the following day. We would highly recommend overnight crossing to or from Argentia which is way longer and there is a new ship in service - it feels a bit like a Cruise especially when you can spend some time on outside deck during daytime.

 

[NOPEC]

Yay, excellent. Thanks for the invite, will see how things go. We'll be driving sometime the second week of March from Calgary to Oliver, will see which way we'll go. Back to the ferries topic: Labrador ferry should be easier to book closer to the time but don't expect to book it a day before the crossing; we made that assumption few years back and run out of time. Port aux Basques ferry gets decent amount of cancellations so if you are flexible and don't need the cabin may get lucky. Both ferries are very much dependent on weather, we've seen up to 3-4 days of no crossings due to storms etc. We usually choose overnight crossings as we have a long drive the following day. We would highly recommend overnight crossing to or from Argentia which is way longer and there is a new ship in service - it feels a bit like a Cruise especially when you can spend some time on outside deck during daytime.

Thanks so much Richard. Lots to digest, I like the cruise comparison, I suspect it will be the closest we ever get to the real thing! I think we are now leaning in the Argentia direction.

I feel a little bad hijacking Trail Talk's thread but I know that he will appreciate your comments and as well, that he is very capable of elbowing his way back in!!

 

[Trail Talk]

I feel a little bad

Ha! Keep up the chat, boys

 

[RichardPT]

Nothing compelled us North this year so there won't be an Ice, Ice, Baby expedition for 2026. But...we are well into the planning for a cross-country jaunt from Alberta to the East Coast in late summer to early fall. We want to take in the Billy-Diamond Highway to James Bay and the Trans-Labrador Highway to the coast, then a ferry to Newfoundland for a visit to L'Anse Aux Meadows. As of now, we won't be travelling the Trans-Taiga.

Anyone covered this ground? Appreciate all tips from those that have been!

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Hey Trail Talk, I see your plan includes crossing to St. Anthony and L'Anse Aux Meadows. It's a fantastic site and we enjoyed visiting it few years back. Make sure that you get your fix of Iceberg donuts at a local Tim Hortons. We would highly recommend going for whale watching tour to Quirpon Island, perhaps staying on the Island if time permits for the full experience. From your description looks like spending more time in Newfoundland is not in the cards but I can't believe you would not be tempted to visit Gros Morne National Park being so close to it. I my view it's one of the most underrated parks in Canada, definitely a must see. Let me know if you would like more detailed suggestions what to see/do in the park. Cheers, Richard

 

[Trail Talk]

Agreed, Gros Morne is on the menu