My Geo-caching Tour of St. John's

What better where to see a place than with a local guide? Or a few local guides? The locals have put quite a number of geocaches in and around town and I was up for it. I began my trip and stopped at the first geocache on campus at 8:18 AM - an easy find underneath some loading dock. Then, off towards the downtown area for another geocache and some breakfast. Another easy find, along with my first view of St. John's harbour.

Down at the harbour's edge were a number of fishing trawlers and some small container ships - no really big boats in the water.
The military has a presence here and has since the 1600s when countries began recognizing the strategic importance of St. John's.
After breakfast I set out on what proved to be an ambitious hike to what are called the South Hills. The view from the lighthouse was spectacular.

I met a couple from Barrie who recommeded hiking around Signal Hill, then heading off to Quidi Vidi on the other side and stopping by the only pub there. Amherst, the dog at the house that was next to the lighthouse seemed rather placid and content - inpsite of what the sign of the left says ("Do not feed our dog Amherst He's too fat!!!" under which Amherst supposedly wrote "Pssst! I'm not! Woof! It's just fur!").
Then up along part of the East Coast Trail to find three more geocaches. After a climb of about 150 m, I managed to find 2 of the 3. The third suggested an alternate route back to town that seemed shorter but proved to be a bit challenging (especially when confronted with 50 m drops) so, in the end, I probably walked as far as I would have if I had gone back the way I came from. Nevertheless, I did have some spectacular views of the city.

I was back downtown by about 2 PM but wasn't feeling hungry in the least because of my big breakfast (I always recommend having one for a busy day). Off to Signal Hill to do some more geocaches.

The skies had cleared and the wind had picked up considerably. More great views from some of the defenses and from the top of the hill.

The wide, flat expanse of the Atlantic Ocean on a clear, blue day is truly impressive. I went down the other side of the hill to go to Quidi Vidi to llok for the pub. I found the village but not the pub. Since it was about 4:30 PM I thought I should head back to the campus and get something to eat. But wait - here's another geocache along the way - only 150 m off the beaten path . . . .

Ten hours, 30 kilometres and 8 geocaches later (that should keep me ahead of you for a bit, doubleff!) I arrive back at the residence, still hungry, very tired and with sore feet. A quick shower, a slow walk to the neighbourhood pub, a leisurely dinner and back to the residence. I have little energy for anything else.

Tomorrow the first sessions of the conference begin and play time is over.