“My scariest encounter with a moose happened just around the bend,” Gros Morne National Park’s interpreter, Kris Orevec, told us.

“I was walking along the boardwalk and a mother moose had a baby in tow and I must have surprised them. The mother moose responded by charging directly at me. As you can see, there is no place to hide up here, so I quickly squeezed under the boardwalk and waited until the two moose ambled away.”

We were taking part in a hike to the Lookout Hills which is one of many guided walks that are part of the Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival which runs until May 29.

Our group of five hikers had just made it to the lookout platform at the top of the trail when Kris told us about her “moose incident.”

En route to the top we had seen a small moose and from the viewing platform had also seen four caribou on a distant snowfield.

We have done this hike on many occasions, but for the hikers from B.C., Manitoba and Ontario this was their first time up this trail.

For a special addition to this festival event on Sunday, May 22, the trip started with a boat trip across Bonne Bay from Norris Point and then an interpreted walk through the community of Woody Point.

From there we followed a short trail to the Discovery Centre, which is the start of the “normal” trail.

This is a big year for the festival since it is celebrating its fifth anniversary and “it seems to be getting larger and more popular” organizer Shirley Montague told us.

“In fact, this year we have made it several days longer than it was in the past.”

They have music workshops, interpretative walks and hikes, fancy dinners, boat tours and, of course, lots and lots of music. At times it is hard to choose what to do since there is so much to take in.

We arrived about 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 and had no sooner parked the car on the Norris Point waterfront than we could hear music from the Cat Stop.

We wandered through the door only to see “Ennis” singing one of our favourite songs. While we listened to “Out from St. Leonard’s” we were handed an event schedule and realized there were many other activities going on at the Bonne Bay Marine Station (BBMS) right next door as well as other locations along the Norris Point Waterfront.

We noticed our friend Elinor Benjamin on the programme. She was telling stories at the BBMS so off we went to find them.

She had local musician Daniel Payne accompanying her on his accordion and room full of children and adults listening closely to her folk tale of a princess and her upcoming marriage.

After that Mike Stevens tried to teach a room full of novice harmonica players the finer points of playing this instrument.

This is where we fell down on our pre-trip research, since it turns out Mike is a world class harmonica player from Sarnia, Ont., and I have a harmonica collecting dust in a closet somewhere in the attic. To think I might have picked up a few tips from a master. Next year, if he decides to come back, I will find my harmonica and be ready for his class.

There are also many scheduled workshops for anyone interested in the tin whistle, drumming, accordion, fiddle or step dancing so if you want some lessons by the “masters,” this festival has many opportunities.

As we checked in at the Ocean View Hotel we were told not to linger since if you wanted a seat for supper and to hear the “Singing Kitchen” at Pittman’s Family Restaurant, you needed to be there by 5 p.m. We arrived at 5:02 p.m. and there were only two places left in the entire restaurant and they were with a group that was already seated.

They graciously told us to join them and we had a fine home-cooked meal of fresh cod while 16-year-old Karissa Janes from Moncton, N.B., entertained us with her exceptional fiddle playing.

After dinner we headed for the town hall to hear an amazing lineup of performers that included Ennis, Gordon Cormier, Cherry Jam, George Woodhouse and Craig Young.

Host Snook kept everyone laughing between sets and when it ended Shirley Montague said, “I think you would have trouble matching this range and quality of music in most big cities in Canada.”

Given the final applause the audience certainly agreed. The town hall concert ended at 10 p.m. and then there were two more choices — either the blues or traditional Newfoundland music.

The next day things were not as hectic since we opted for the hike to the Lookout Hills.

But also on the schedule was brunch on the EmmCat Tour Boat, sea kayaking, a songwriter’s circle, a fiddle workshop, a Wine Master’s Feast, the Singing Kitchen and in the evening, the town hall concert followed by two choices of late night music.

The festival runs until May 29 so if you like either music and/or hiking and a host of other activities in one of the most scenic places in the world, you should definitely check this event out.

The Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MusicNL) has announced this year’s conference will take place in Rocky Harbour in Gros Morne National Park on the province’s west coast.

The Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MusicNL) has announced this year’s conference will take place in Rocky Harbour in Gros Morne National Park on the province’s west coast.

The conference, including seminars and workshops, showcases and a songwriters’ circle, will take place Oct. 22-24, and will culminate in an awards gala hosted by Louis and Mike MacDonald.

Awards will be handed out in 19 different categories. The full list of nominees is available online at www.musicnl.ca.

Up for female artist of the year are Amelia Curran, Teresa Ennis, Mary Barry, Irene Brider and Kellie Loder, while Jerry Stamp, Sherman Downey, Rick Lambe, Matthew Byrne and Jeff Quilty are nominated for the male artist of the year award.

The conference, including seminars and workshops, showcases and a songwriters’ circle, will take place Oct. 22-24, and will culminate in an awards gala hosted by Louis and Mike MacDonald.

Awards will be handed out in 19 different categories. The full list of nominees is available online at www.musicnl.ca.

Up for female artist of the year are Amelia Curran, Teresa Ennis, Mary Barry, Irene Brider and Kellie Loder, while Jerry Stamp, Sherman Downey, Rick Lambe, Matthew Byrne and Jeff Quilty are nominated for the male artist of the year award.

Tickets for the award show and songwriter’s circle will be available as of Sept 1 at the Ocean View Hotel 458-2730 and Fishermans Landing 458-2711. Tickets for other events at the door.

See photo slide-show of Hey Rosetta from their performance on Wednesday August 5, 2009 at the Woody Point Heritage Theatre.

Holland America Line ms Maasdam

Holland America Line Cruise ship ms Maasdam docked in Woody Point on July 28, 2009.  Passengers visited the sites of Woody Point and surrounding areas including a guided tour of the Tablelands, the Discovery Centre, A Bonne Bay cruise with Bon Tours as well as a good old fashioned kitchen party in Woody Point.  Mummers were spotted here and there greeting the passengers and dancing the day away.  The Mayor of Woody Point accepted a plaque that was presented by the captain of the ship.  Some Woody Point and surrounding area residence were invited aboard the ship for a tour.  Some of the photos of the tour are displayed in the slide-show below. Photos by Natalie Lucier.

See more about the Maasdam journey for 2009.

The Western Brook Pond Boat Tour is a great way to explore the Fjords in Gros Morne National Park.  For more information on the Western Brook Pond Boat Tour visit www.bontours.ca

Gros Morne Team Building by Nancy.Travel

Gros Morne National Park is quickly developing a reputation as THE ultimate team building and group gathering destination.

Gros Morne’s motivational backdrop and serene natural landscapes help foster a higher thinking process and really help your team members find new perspectives on how they approach problem solving and goal acheivement.  The Park’s natural setting is complmented by a great portfolio of local businesses, entertainers, artisans, guides and resource people.  Home to the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism for the past five years, the region has really embraced sustainable tourism concepts and currently boasts a strong local GMIST alumni.   Team building opportunities range from geocaching to songcrafting to rug hooking and can be fully csutomized to a group’s needs.

Call Gros Morne Gatherings today at 1-888-SEA-2-SKY or email info@grosmornetravel.com to book your organization’s next team building experience!

Western Brook Pond Boat Tour

Experience Gros Morne National Park by Boat!  Boat tours are available from June-Sept 2009.  For more information Check Bon Tours Website.

Photo Credit:  David Ooms , Creative Commons Flickr.

The Gros Morne National Park Pool will be open from (June 25 – September 5, 2011). The pool is located in Rocky Harbour and is open to the public.

Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival in Norris Point, Newfoundland

Trails Tails and Tunes will be happening this year from May 15-24th in Norris Point, Newfoundland.  This festival encompasses Newfoundland entertainment for the whole family to enjoy!  Enjoy performances by local musicians and storytellers in churches, halls, theaters and pubs throughout Norris Point.  For more information on the festival please visit the official website at trailstalestunes.ca.

Montreal’s Coleman Lemieux Dance Company visited Gros Morne National Park with an artistic team of Canada’s finest solo dance artists.  He created an amazing show.  Filmmaker Anne Troake captured it on film. Click to see the video here.