#23 Some Remote Road, NL: I Took the Road Less Traveled By ...



This morning we got off the overnight ferry from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland - the longest of five on our journey so far.  We had set up a little encampment at the very front of the ferry where we'd have a great view of the sunrise.  I found out that our ferry-neighbors were from Wisconsin.  I told them about our journey, and how we were trying to stay tight to the edge of Canada to surround it with prayer.  I described myself as someone who avoids big highways if he can find a slow windy road through little villages.  Immediately the Wisconsin wife pointed at her husband.  It seems he was a kindred spirit.  I got the sense that she wasn't quite as thrilled as he was about the road less traveled by.

I had characteristically chosen a route off the Trans-Canada that would get us from the Newfoundland ferry terminal to Cape Spear the 'scenic' way.  But I almost regretted it.  Not very far in it turned to gravel - washboardy gravel that seemed like it was going to rattle every screw in our motorhome loose.  Patty said, "Do you have to be doing this?"  I stopped the RV because I've learned the hard way that no road, no matter how 'scenic' is worth disunity on the team.  We had a bit of a tense conversation, and I said something I shouldn't have. We did pray together for guidance, but I could tell that when I put the motorhome into gear to continue down the gravel, things still weren't fully settled.  

A few more teeth-rattling miles down the road, Patty challenged me about what I had said.  I humbled myself and asked her to forgive me, and then there was peace.  The road got a little better, and then as we slowed down to a crawl to cross a one-lane bridge we saw something amazing.  It really was a scenic route!  

The bridge crossed a deep, narrow gorge with a stream cascading at the bottom.  We stopped the motorhome to hike back and have a better look.  While we were taking pictures from the bridge a car slowed right down to pass us.  And then we noticed the couple inside smiling and waving at us.  We recognized them and sure enough: Wisconsin plates.




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