On May 22, Connie and Reba began their odyssey to points East, halfway across the world.

The husband and his relatives say goodbye...

On the first day, Connie and Reba departed Fayetteville on their way to Toronto.  Several airplane seats now bear the impression of Connie's manicure, but with the aid of Xanax, dramamine, and several alcoholic beverages, Connie made it through.  Reba's stupid stories were also a welcome distraction from Airplane Phobia.

Here's Reba in the midst of said Stupid Story, on the shuttle bus to the Toronto terminal!

From Toronto, they flew to Halifax, rented a PT Cruiser (is it wise to give two crazy women a hot little car like that?  What were they thinking?) and drove highway 105 to North Sydney, checked into a motel and the next morning....

Into the jaws of the Vomit Comet (aka the ferry to Newfoundland).  I won't mention what I think this looks like.

Leaving North Sydney, Reba takes a moment to reflect on the beauty of the moment.  Oh wait, no, there's a cute crew member over there!

On the ferry, the girls discovered...there's a bar!

Reba found that the Atlantic seafowl are really friendly!  No matter what Kung Fu moves she pulled, Reba could not intimidate this wise bird.

During the crossing, the girls made friends with everyone on the boat (and remember, the boat can carry approximately 300 cars).  They also ventured into the crew's quarters, forced several people to take their photograph, intimidated a biker (who we saw the next day at Tim Horton's, OMG, he was avoiding eye contact) lay down all over the place, tried to pretend they were really from Montreal (that didn't work), and basically had a great time and generally ambassadors of goodwill.

God knows what these folks think of people from Arkansas now!  Oh jeepers.

When Connie and Reba arrived at Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland, they went straight to Tim Horton's because they knew that's where Lisa would be!  And of course, there she was!  After that we all went to Moe's apartment and then for a short drive down to the beach.

Connie and Reba, lacking a formal bathroom, then bared their arses to the North Atlantic for the first time (and we all know, it ain't gonna be the last).  They both commented that it was pretty (*&*^(*)(* cold.

Sunset at the beach.  About 45 degrees this evening.

Here's me, Lisa, "oh GOD what have I gotten myself into with these two crazies!"  Port-Aux-Basques in the background.

The next morning we went over to the Rose Blanche highway to have a look at a gorgeous waterfall.

This is Connie coming over the crest of a hill in the Barrens.  The sea is about 100 metres behind her, and a 100 foot waterfall in front. 

Kevin having fun on the boardwalk!

Connie and Lisa Sister Pictures.

Reba, true to her nature, did not heed the warnings about how boggy and damp the ground was off the boardwalk...she's not known for choosing the beaten path, and she did get off the boardwalk for a short exploration. (squish).

After we hiked back up to the van, we headed back to Corner Brook and...the fishplant!  Connie and Reba were adamant that seafood was a necessity, like, NOW!

When we arrived at the fishplant, the woman said, "That big bag there?  30 bucks.  It's 30 pounds."  CRABLEGS.  Connie and Reba's eyes immediately popped out of their head and the money hit the counter.

Below, our "crab catch" and mussels too!

Here's Reba sitting down to the ensuing 2-hour crab-eating marathon.  I'm serious.  TWO HOURS.  They did not stop for TWO HOURS.

Here's the resulting carnage.

Stay tuned for further episodes.  Gros Morne, camping, and more seafood.

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