Photo Friday: What a Difference a Day Makes, Signal Hill, St. John's Newfoundland

Boy, what a difference a day makes.  After a 2000 mile drive, including five hours on a ferry and a good night’s sleep, we awakened to a fog shrouded St. John’s, Newfoundland.  We decided to go ahead and do some sightseeing anyway.  We made our way up to Signal Hill and its iconic Cabot Tower at the entranced to the harbor.

Nikon D1x, Tamron 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 30mm, ISO 125, 1/250 @ f/9

Here is a view of Cabot Tower hidden by the fog.  We spent some time inside the tower talking to the Parks Canada rangers and learning about the hill and tower.  It was here in 1901 that Guglielmo Marconi received the first ever transatlantic wireless transmission (the Morse code for the letter S sent continuously).  

When we departed from the tower and returned to our car, we found a man holding a television camera marked with the logo of the Canadian Broadcast Company (CBC).  It seems that he noticed Dominique’s bright yellow Pontiac Aztek with the Michigan License plates and wanted to interview us.  He asked if, after driving so far, we were disappointed about the weather.  Of course, we told him that we were having a great time and that we knew that Newfoundland weather was unpredictable and changeable (we’re used to that here in Michigan).

Nikon D1x, Tamron 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 24mm, ISO 200, 1/160 @ f/14

The weather did change and the next day we went back and re-toured the historical site.  We had a chuckle with the ranger when he told us he had seen us the night before on the news.  Unfortunately we hadn’t gotten a chance to see the news that night and missed our TV debut.

Thanks to Debbie of Delicious Baby for organizing Photo Friday and spreading such wonderful images across the Web.

© 2009 Tim Marks all rights reserved

Comments

[Travel With Kids]

Great post. Since moving to Canada just over a year ago, I have finally taken on board what a huge place it is and how much effort is required to get to every corner of it. Not that I'm daunted by that - am planning a trip to Newfoundland in the foreseeable future. Thanks for sharing this.

[Linda]

I think I actually like the foggy picture better--it adds an air of mystery. Sorry you missed your bit of fame!

[marina k. villatoro]

When I lived in the Rocky Mountains, we used to say: "If you don't like the weather wait an hour!" So I can definitely understand the wait a day:)

[Dominique]

We've had more adventures in that Aztek! Nearly 90,000 miles on it and still going strong :)

Newfoundland is definitely worth the trip. I particularly loved the wildlife, history, music and geology of the place.

[Becks Davis]

What an amazing difference! I look at my pictures of London when I first visited and the weather was so appalling they don't do it justice. But both of your pictures have great qualities.

Too bad you missed yourself on TV.

[Tim]

Thanks everyone. I like both shots, the foggy one is definitely different while the clear one is a good shot but there is nothing special about it.

One nice thing is, because of the fog, we were along in the park and had the Rangers all to our selves for a nice conversation.

[Wanderluster]

Wow - that IS some difference. New Foundland is on my wish list. I have a fantasy of riding my motorcycle cross country from Seattle to NF - in the summer, of course.

[Peter Carey]

I like the contrast between the two the most. Most times photographers only give one glimps of a location as a lot travel 'through' a location, not staying long enough to see the same locale in different light. This is great example of what can happen when you stay put for a day! Thanks for sharing the story!

[Lorraine]

Fresh from a trip to Nova Scotia, I really enjoyed seeing your post. The landscape in Atlantic Canada is stunning and pristine. I loved every moment of our trip and am eager to get back up there to visit Newfoundland and Labrador territory. I hear you can kayak around the glaciers. Thanks for sharing these photographs.