26 August 2019, Monday
Western Brook Pond isn’t officially a fjord because it doesn’t communicate with the sea, but it sure looks like one, so that’s how I’ll refer to it. The valley was carved deep below sea level during the last ice age, but as the glaciers melted, pressure on the land was relieved and the boggy coastal plain rose above sea level cutting off the pond from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. So despite the fact that it looks very much like a fjord, it is actually a fresh water lake 165 meters deep. The Long Range Mountains that were carved by the glaciers were buckled upward by movement along a fault about 400 million years ago. The water of Western Brook Pond is particularly pure as the pond has a small drainage basin with sparse plant cover and resistant bedrock according to interpretive panels at the dock. The nutrient level is low so that, even though aquatic life is present, it is sparse.
Our tour with Bon Tours begins right on time. O and I have been waiting awhile at the dock having arrived early, as I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to walk in on the 3 km trail. It’s a beautiful breezy and sunny day. I’m glad I have an extra layer or two with me as the wind out on Western Brook Pond is even more brisk. The three interpreters on our tour boat point out geologic features, landslides, waterfalls and fill in a bit of history during the two hour trip. The scenery is awesome! As we head back to the dock one of the guides, KJ, breaks out his guitar and sings some rousing folk tunes. Passengers join in, singing, dancing and playing spoons.
After the tour, O and I take our time walking back to Vincent. I can’t walk very fast anyway so we enjoy the beautiful afternoon as we return along the gravel path through the bog.
