Maggie in Newfoundland Again 2016: Day 31 St. John's

Happily back to YYT today to get Andrew and Michelle! The more children arrive, the happier I get. Not everyone can be here for this trip but I am so glad that Mary-Kate, Andrew and Michelle can all be here!

Stopping long enough for a feed of fishcakes and a London Dock we are quickly on our way to the Regatta. Today it’s the only gig in town! It is the oldest annual sporting event in North America and is just shy of its 200^th Anniversary. There is some evidence that it is even older than that, but records can clearly support 198 years! The rowers train and compete each year in races on Quidi Vidi but the day is a huge social event for the city as well with concession stands offering everything from cotton candy to fish cakes! Winky’s Weiny Wagon was doing a roaring business, and the line-up for Beaver Tails was long but “so worth it” according to Mary-Kate!

We walked down the pond to the halfway markers and our unencumbered view was a reminder that folks were here for the games of chance, mid-way attractions and the beer tent as much as they were to watch the races. Within a short time of getting there I began to run into people I knew. Our Godson Matthew was there with his family, my best friend from elementary school through university was there and texted me so that we could meet up to spend the day together. I ran into two cousins with their families, and Grant and Ruth came down to join us as well. Impossible to go out in St. John’s without running into people you know! I LOVE that!

Following our afternoon at the Regatta we went back to Grant and Ruth’s for moose burgers! Oh but my brother makes and BBQs the best moose burgers!! We played a lively game of washers, ate and drink until our bellies were full, and ended the evening with a wild and crazy game of Anomia! At the end of this wonderful day when we finally went back to the trailer, Mary-Katherine commented that it really is too bad we don’t live closer to Grant and Ruth since they are so much fun and we always have such a good time together! All very true!