Day 22 - NL complete!

June 3 - 41km (Port aux Basques)

Newfoundland, thank you for everything. I can’t express how much gratitude and love I have for this province and the people that make it so special. Thank you all so, so, so much.

I came into this province untrained, not knowing a single person and clueless as to what the next few weeks would hold for me. It was really, really, really tough - definitely the hardest few weeks of my life. But I survived, and I’m in shape for the rest of Canada.

And I could not have done it without help. When I was at my lowest points, Newfoundlanders had my back. Didn’t know how to set up a tent? Thank you Jacob for showing me how. Getting a flat and breaking my hand pump in the actual middle of nowhere? Lloyd and Barb, thank you for your help. Lugging around a heavy duffel bag, not knowing how I’m going to get to my motel? Thank you Joy and Louis for taking me in that night. About to freeze my face and fingers off? Gene and Peggy, thank you for your fireplace and funny jokes. Lynn, the Flannigans, my new friends from Gambo, everyone: thank you. Thank you so much. I genuinely can’t express my gratitude enough.

I feel like I left Newfoundland as a slightly different person. Yes, I underwent a trial by fire and learned bike touring the hard way, but I think the most important change I made were the friends I added into my life.

Newfoundland, thank you. I leave this province with lifelong friends, ready for the rest of Canada.

Until next time!