Driving the Trans-Labrador Highway

<BODY BGCOLOR="#9CD8C1" BACKGROUND="images/backgrounds/page13/p17c03.gif"> <H1><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Trans-Labrador Highway</FONT></H1> <TABLE WIDTH="782"> <TR> <TD><IMG SRC="photos/highway-dteed.jpg" WIDTH="591" HEIGHT="394"></TD> <TD ALIGN="RIGHT"> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">A point on Hwy 389, North of Manic Five and south of the former town of Gagnon</FONT></P></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <UL> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#web resources">Web Resources on the Trans-Labrador Highway</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#the road">The road</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#and facilities">The road and facilities described in sections (some photos)</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#driving habits">Driving habits</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#getting help">Getting help if you are in trouble</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#place-names">The place-names on the map</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#why go">Why go there?</A></FONT></LI> <LI><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="#pictures">More Pictures from Labrador</A></FONT></LI> </UL> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="web resources">Web Resources on the Trans-Labrador Highway</A></FONT></H2> <H3><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Destination Labrador tourism site</FONT></H3> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">What is said about the trip by highway from Baie Comeau to Labrador at the <A HREF="http://www.destlab.nf.ca/">Destination Labrador web site</A> is mostly accurate. The <A HREF="http://www.destlab.nf.ca/plan/road.htm">Destination Labrador Road Travel</A> page on the route from Baie Comeau through to Goose Bay, via highways 389 in Quebec and route 500 in Labrador contains very useful information on road surfaces, travel times, distances between fueling points and some accommodation information. However, I have always felt that the line on the map illustrating this "highway" should be explained in more detail so that those considering a trip via this route can understand the uniqueness of this part of Canada and also understand that this is very unlike a trip to Banff. I hope I am able to do that with this web page.</FONT></P> <H3><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">A <A NAME="robert">Cyclist</A> takes the Trans-Labrador highway</FONT></H3> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Another great resource for information on this highway and taking a trip along this route, is the cyclist view on this highway, from Robert Matzinger of Austria. Robert and his wife Veronika took this trip took this trip despite the warnings that many people such as myself gave him on the hardships and unpleasantries one would expect a cyclist could face in a black fly ridden land having only 3 populated areas in a distance of roughly 1000 KM -much of it including poor quality gravel roads. People climb mountains despite the hardships, and Robert and Veronika did the Trans-Labrador route by bicycle (and without support vehicles).<A HREF="http://www.kr.tuwien.ac.at/~matzi/travel/tlh/tlh.html">Here is the web site</A> he has put up documenting the trip, including some great photos.</FONT></P> <H3><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="http://www.amxfiles.com/stoneji/97trip">Jim Stone's vacation trip</A></FONT></H3> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">A tourist takes in all of the maritime provinces, including the Trans-Larbador highway. This is the trip that many people have contemplated - a ring of travel through Quebec, Labrador, by ferry to Newfoundland, by ferry to Nova Scotia, and winding back through the rest of the Altantic provinces.</FONT></P> <H3><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3330/">Wallace McLean's tour of Labrador site</A></FONT></H3> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Wallace is from Northwest River and is very knowledgable about Labrador and its history. His pages include views of the Trans-Labrador highway route and many other parts of Labrador, some of which are accessible only by boat or plane.</FONT> </P> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"> For information on Newfoundland tourism in general, I suggest a visit to the <A HREF="http://www.city.net/countries/canada/newfoundland/">City.Net web site</A> (check the tourism links at the bottom). If you are planning your trip in advance, you should phone the Newfoundland Tourism department's 1-800-563-NFLD number to ask for the tourism booklet to be sent to you in the mail. It is a useful resource for locating accommodations.</FONT></P> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="the road">The road</A></FONT></H2> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">I personally made the trip by road and vehicle to Churchill Falls, via the Baie Comeau (Quebec) route in June of 1997. If you have any corrections or additions you'd like to see added to this web page, please send me a note at <A HREF="mailto:dteed@artistic.ca">dteed@artistic.ca</A></FONT></P> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">The Destination Labrador web page states:</FONT></P> <BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><CITE>This is a combination paved/gravel road that is open year round and is in good driving condition.</CITE></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">This is not quite true. During most of the year it is open, but there are storms in the winter that make travel on this road impossible or very dangerous. Also in the spring there is often a period where the frost is melting from the road and it is closed for a few weeks until this drys out. At the Fermont end there is a sign that flashes yellow lights if the road is closed, but if you are heading north from Baie Comeau there is no such warning post (at least none that I noticed). If you are travelling in June-October the road should be open without question. There is a number you can call if you suspect the road might be closed:<CITE>Department of Works, Services and Transportation, Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Tel: (709) 896-3185/2108 Fax: (709) 896-5513</CITE>. Alternately you may want to call this number for the Quebec highway condition information, however it might require that you speak french: <CITE>Quebec Ministry of Transport, Baie Comeau, Quebec Phone: (418) 589-2065/5610 or Fax: (418) 589-6377</CITE></FONT></P> <H3><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="and facilities">The road and facilities described in sections</A></FONT></H3> <TABLE WIDTH="800" RULES="ROWS" CELLPADDING="4" CELLSPACING="8"> <TR> <TH ALIGN="CENTER" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Route section and facilities information</FONT></TH> <TH ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="40%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Road condition</FONT></TH> </TR> <TR> <TH ALIGN="CENTER" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="60%"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TH> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"> <FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Section 1: Baie Comeau to Manic Five, 214 kilometres</B><BR>Gas and accommodations at Energy Motel at Manic Five. No town here. Gas, snacks, liquor, and Manic 5 T-shirts are about all that is available. Gas @ 85 cents/litre (June 1997)</FONT><BR><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Click for larger image of Manic 5 dam: </FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ROWSPAN="2" HEIGHT="136" WIDTH="40%"> <FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">This is a paved road in very good condition. There are many hunters, fishers, and others who have camps on this route. It is difficult to make good travel time along this section due to the hills and many sharp turns in the road. Manic 5 main hydro dam is impressive sight. Estimated travel time is 3 hours. SOS phone booths appear roughly every 20-40 KMs.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="30%" HEIGHT="174"> <A HREF="photos/manic.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/manic-thumb.jpg" ALT="Manic 5 dam from few kilometers away" BORDER="0" WIDTH="253" HEIGHT="169"></A> </TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="174"><A HREF="photos/manic-close.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/manic-close-thumb.jpg" ALT="Manic 5 dam up close" BORDER="0" WIDTH="113" HEIGHT="169"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%" COLSPAN="3" HEIGHT="22"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Section 2: Manic 5 to Gagnon (ghost town), 175 kilometres</B><BR>Gas, restaurant and accommodations at Motel Relais Gabriel, which is just 100 kilometres past Manic Five and 75 kilometres before the ghost town of Gagnon. No towns here, just food and gas. I didn't see a "motel" of the usual standards, only some shacks. It seems this would be suitable for anyone stranded or needing a rest, or perhaps hunters. Gas @ 85 cents/litre (June 1997)</FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="40%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">This is a good condition and highly maintained gravel road. You can make relatively quick progress along this stretch. Keep to the right at the top of hills. After Motel Relais Gabriel, the gravel begins to get a little more rough and you'll likely find a few washboard sections. Estimated travel time is 2.5 hours.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%" HEIGHT="163"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"> <B>Section 3: Gagnon to Fire Lake, 89 kilometres</B><BR>Gagnon is a ghost town with nothing but old pavement left behind. Fire Lake is an open pit mine that is no longer active. No gas, towns, stores or any other facilities along this section.</FONT><BR><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Click for larger image of former Gagnon main street:</FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="40%" ROWSPAN="2" HEIGHT="163"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Paved, but very old pavement (over 12 years old), and getting more deteriorated each year. There is patchwork done on this road but it doesn't prevent one's suspension from getting hammered periodically. The pavement will make you want to go about 80 - 100 KM/H, but this is not kind to your vehicle when you encounter the rough spots. Look out for the fresh looking patches - they tend to have the bumps. Estimated travel time is 1 hour, but I'd take it a little slower than that.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="CENTER"><A HREF="photos/gagnon.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/gagnon-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="255" HEIGHT="170"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="60%" HEIGHT="23"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"> <FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Section 4: Fire Lake to Mount Wright, 63 kilometres</B><BR>Going from one inactive open pit mine to an active open pit mine (Mount Wright). No gas, towns, stores or any other facilities along this section.<BR>Click for a larger image of a twisty section of "the trail", where the road goes around rather than through any water or rock outcrop:</FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ROWSPAN="2" WIDTH="40%" HEIGHT="203"> <FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Twisting gravel road made without dynamite or much cost. Rumour has it that this was built by striking workers, and it looks it. Any place there is water, the road goes around rather than over it. Any place there is a rocky hill the road goes around rather than through it. At one point they steal the gravel base of the railway track to carve a wedge in that and call it a road. This section crosses the railway tracks about 8 times and so you must stop to look out for an iron ore train. Locals call it "the trail". Estimated travel time is 1.5 hours.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%"><A HREF="photos/road-fermont.jpg"> <IMG SRC="photos/road-fermont-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="253" HEIGHT="169"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Section 5: Mount Wright to Labrador City/Wabush, 40 kilometres</B><BR>About 17 kilometres from Mount Wright you will encounter Fermont - the mining community associated with Mount Wright. Fermont is a small town with all basic services, including gas, food, and a hotel. Gas @ 72 cents/litre (June 1997)<BR>Click for larger image of Mount Wright mine (background):</FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="40%" ROWSPAN="2"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Paved road in good condition. Estimated travel time is 30 minutes.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="CENTER"><A HREF="photos/mountwright.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/mountwright-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="253" HEIGHT="169"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="CENTER"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Section 6: Labrador City to Churchill Falls, 238 kilometres</B><BR>There are plenty of facilities available in Labrador City. There are no gas stations, towns, stores or other facilities enroute to Churchill Falls. Churchill Falls has some facilities but be aware that this is largely a "company town", meaning there is very little in the way of private enterprises. There is one hotel, one gas station, one grocery store, one convenience store. There is a "B&B" as well, which was for sale when I was there. The Black Spruce Lodge is a former guest trailer complex and is much cheaper than the local hotel. In Churchill Falls, Gas @ 75 cents/litre (June 1997)<BR>Click for a larger image of road between Labrador City and Churchill Falls, and the town of Churchill Falls:</FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ROWSPAN="3" WIDTH="40%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">A well made gravel road, with plenty of straight and level sections. The temptation will be there to drive at about 100 KM/H (summertime speeds, that is), however this is something that can only be done when the conditions are right. The gravel on this road is more coarse (contrasted with that on the Quebec side just north of Manic 5), and for this reason one must be careful not to surf on the gravel and off the road on turns. The sections near Labrador City and Churchill Falls see more traffic and are more prone to washboard conditions.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%" COLSPAN="2"><A HREF="photos/road-churchill.jpg"> <IMG SRC="photos/road-churchill-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="253" HEIGHT="169"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%" COLSPAN="2"><A HREF="photos/churchill-town2.jpg"> <IMG SRC="photos/churchill-town-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="253" HEIGHT="169"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="60%" COLSPAN="3"> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="60%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Section 7: Churchill Falls to Happy Valley - Goose Bay, 288 kilometres</B><BR> No gas stations, stores, towns, or other facilities along this route until Goose Bay. Plenty of facilities available in Happy Valley - Goose Bay. From here it is possible to take a ferry to the island of Newfoundland (reservations in advance are recommended).</FONT></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="40%"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">This section I have not travelled. It is said to be the worst section of this highway, but it is currently being upgraded. In the spring it is sometimes better to cross this stretch in a 4x4 due to washouts. Extra caution is required if this section continues to lack road signs. If heading east, take the fork to the right just after you pass the Churchill Falls switchyard (where the local pavement ends). There is a sign there indicating which way to take to Goose Bay, but (if you missed it) the left fork brings one to a spillway control structure (Orma) which is about 6 - 8 hours drive, and there is diddly squat on that route. I add this warning due to the lack of road route signs. Speeds average 40 - 50 KM/H. Estimated travel time is 6 - 8 hours.</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="60%"><HR ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><I>Times given are assuming travel by vehicle (car, van, truck, RV).</I></FONT> <HR ALIGN="CENTER"></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="driving habits">Driving habits</A></FONT></H2> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">There are hazards to driving this road that are possibly new to one's experience, even for those with many years driving experience.</FONT></P> <DL> <DT><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Keep to the right at the top of a hill on gravel roads.</B></FONT></DT> <DD><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Without thinking about it, it is natural to find yourself following the path of least resistance on a gravel road, and that typically is a pair of smooth tire paths in the center of the road. This is fine most of the time as you'll encounter very little traffic. However there is a hazard on the top of a hill when you can't see an oncoming car or truck doing the same thing. On the gravel road to Esker in the late 70's there was a head on collision caused by this phenomenon, which was fatal to all. On the highway around Churchill Falls you'll see signs posted "Danger - Hill / Keep Right" - it is very good advice.</FONT></DD> <DT><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Slow down on turns while driving on gravel</B></FONT></DT> <DD><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">This is especially important to remember on the Labrador City - Churchill Falls route. The straight and level sections will entice one to go a little faster, but you've got to remember to slow down for any hint of a turn or you can find yourself riding atop the gravel like hundreds of marbles under your tires and then you could be off the road. This is even worse with rear wheel drive vehicles, such as trucks and older model cars which are prone to fishtailing if there is also some washboard bumps along the turns. On my trip we passed an older model Dodge car that had left the road on a very slight turn immediately following a long straight stretch. The telltale of what had happened was that his rear end was further off the shoulder than the front end - which likely indicates a combination fishtail and sliding on gravel loss of control. Just remember that you can't lean into those turns like you can on pavement.</FONT></DD> <DT><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><B>Watch out for Porcupines</B></FONT></DT> <DD><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">I saw about 20 porcupines on the highway on my return trip in the evening. They come to the roadside because of the types of vegetation growing around disturbed areas. They are slow movers and are not afraid of people or vehicles, however striking one could lead to loss of control (and is not nice to porcupines).</FONT></DD> </DL> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="getting help">Getting help if you are in trouble</A></FONT></H2> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Fortunately the people in this part of Canada are very good about being concerned for other travellers on this road. It is sometimes difficult to stop and take a photograph of something along the highway without someone stopping to ask if everything is OK.</FONT></P> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">On my trip I encountered only two vehicles on the route from Labrador City to Churchill Falls, which was the thinnest for traffic activity. There are many transport trucks using this route and if anything goes wrong that is most likely who you are going to encounter first. But the first thing on a trucker's mind is making good time and so you'll actually have to flag them down to get attention. There are many private cabins along all of these roads and there is a high likelihood of encountering fishing types and others getting away from the telephone and TV.</FONT></P> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">While the people are good, the access to services is not as good due to the vast distances between towns having hospitals, garages, airports, etc., and the lack of fully equipped service stations between towns en route. If for some reason you need a tow, it could possibly take over 200 kilometers to reach a garage. It might also take more time to get parts than what you are used to in the south.</FONT></P> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="place-names">The place-names on the map</A></FONT></H2> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">You should be aware that not all dots on the map having a place-name actually have anyone or anything there. Some places are ghost towns, some are simply major infrastructures such as railway junctions, mining sites, or hydro power structures. The main towns in Labrador along this route are Labrador City/Wabush, Churchill Falls and Goose Bay/Happy Valley. In Quebec, along the 389 the only towns are Fermont and Baie Comeau, which are basically the start and end points of the 389.</FONT></P> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="why go">Why go there?</A></FONT></H2> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">I don't know a good answer for this question, but people have been considering this trip (somewhat naively, I often believe) ever since this route appeared in the Newfoundland tourism guide. This is partly why I have felt compelled into making this page - to settle the questions and various bits of poor information that have made their way into the previous Trans-Labrador Highway page at the rec.travel archives.</FONT></P> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">My personal connection to this part of the world was growing up in Churchill Falls from the age of 10 to the end of high school. Labrador generally draws two types of people: those seeking hunting and fishing, or other outdoor sports, and those wanting to get away from the buzz of civilization. </FONT></P> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">The main draw backs of this region are two very powerful and potentially overwhelming forces of nature: cold winters, and summers of continuous and unrelenting black flies. In the north, black flies do not go away in June, they arrive in June and stay up to late September, when snow is just around the corner again. The huge areas of bog and ponds together with little pollution ensure that the black flies breed in high quantities in Labrador. I missed the black flies by arriving in the brief period of two weeks (early June) after the snow is mostly gone and the flies are yet to hatch. The highs in early June average 10 to 14 - the lows near 1 to 4 Celsius. Because of the black flies, I liked the winters in Labrador better than the summers. Don't underestimate the fly factor - take a look at <A HREF="#robert">Robert Matzinger's</A> fly bites and description of what they thought of it. And these people were prepared with the best fly repellent!</FONT></P> <H2><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A NAME="pictures">Some more pictures from Labrador</A></FONT></H2> <TABLE WIDTH="96%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2"> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="189" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><IMG SRC="photos/BIG25.JPG" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></FONT></TD> <TD HEIGHT="189" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><IMG SRC="photos/Big27.jpg" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="44" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Partridge berry plants (berries from previous fall)</FONT></TD> <TD HEIGHT="44" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Caribou moss</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="89" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><IMG SRC="photos/BIG12.JPG" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></FONT></TD> <TD HEIGHT="89" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><IMG SRC="photos/BIG26.JPG" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Canada Jay eats left over scrambled (chicken) eggs</FONT></TD> <TD HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Lichen growing on large rock</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="255" ALIGN="CENTER"><IMG SRC="photos/BIG32.JPG" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></TD> <TD HEIGHT="255" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"> <IMG SRC="photos/BIG34.JPG" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="32" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Forebay dike near Churchill Falls (early June)</FONT></TD> <TD HEIGHT="32" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">My brother sits on an "erratic"</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="62" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER"> <A HREF="photos/river1.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/river1-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0"></A></TD> <TD HEIGHT="62" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> <A HREF="photos/river2.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/river2-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="256"></A></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER" HEIGHT="76"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">Churchill River (click to see "Elmo") by Brinco bridge and just above the falls.</FONT></TD> <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT="76"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">This section of the Churchill river, just above the <BR>falls,was once the most savage rapids on<BR> Earth (click for enlargement)</FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="33" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER"> <A HREF="photos/river3.jpg"><IMG SRC="photos/river3-thumb.jpg" BORDER="0"></A></TD> <TD HEIGHT="33" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><IMG SRC="photos/porc.jpg"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD HEIGHT="33" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">From the bottom of the Churchill river in same area.<BR>This section would have normally been under 30-40<BR> feet of water and in a turbid condition that no fish<BR> could possibly survive (click to see enlargement).</FONT></TD> <TD HEIGHT="33" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua">A porcipine is starting to tire of the attention.</FONT></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P><FONT FACE="Book Antiqua"><A HREF="index.html">back to Donald's homepage</A></FONT></P> </BODY>