Newfoundland Travel: St. Johns, Newfoundland   by John Pelley

We had reconnoitered another spot about which we were told at Quidi Vidi Lake, on the East end of town. There are many RVs parked here anticipating next weeks regatta on the lake. All day two man sculls, 4+1s and 6+1s were practicing for next weeks contest. A hiking path winds around the lake and is a popular spot for the locals. St. John’s is noted for its network of hiking trails. From the Quidi Vidi trail four other ones branch out into the rest of the city.

We took a walking tour of the Eastern Part of the city. This is where many of the rich people built their homes after the numerous fires in the 19th century, which leveled the lower dock portion of the city. Many of the homes are in the Queen Anne and late Empire Style, with later Victorian thrown in for good measure.

The tour took us to the Colonial House, which held the legislature and Supreme Court for the country of Newfoundland from 1850 to 1959. They moved to the Confederation building then. The building now houses the Provincial Archives.

We crossed the street and were invited to attend the garden party at the Government House, the home of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province. We were the delegation from the esteemed state of Illinois. The Royal Regiment of Foot and the 27th Company- 2nd Battalion Royal regiment of Artillery were present in style. The drum and fife corps was augmented by the royal provincial military band, which played during the party. Tea, lemonade and biscuits were served to all of the invited guests.

Thursday, July 31, 2003

Drove to Signal Hill, overlooking the harbor and the sea. We looked at the exhibits at the interpretation center, which traced the history of the area from before John Cabot through the battle of the Somme on July 1, 1917, where almost an entire generation of young Newfoundlanders were lost in one day.

At 11:00 was the tattoo, a 1795 reenactment of traditional military activities, performed by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot and the 27th Company