An Early Morning Surprise in Gros Morne

 One morning, we were up early hoping to spot a moose. We'd been told that dawn was one of the best times to see them along the roads in Gros Morne National Park.  We’d only seen one so far on this trip and were hoping for more. We climbed into the car, bright and early, with our cameras in hand, scanning both sides of the highway as we drove.

The moose, however, were nowhere to be found.

When we noticed a small pull-off at Martin's Point, we decided to stop for a few minutes. Maybe we'd have better luck there.

Instead, we found a beautiful rocky beach overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since it was so early we had it entirely to ourselves. 

As we wandered toward the shoreline, we noticed large pieces of rusted steel lying among the rocks and just offshore. They were the remains of the SS Ethie, a coastal steamship that once carried passengers, freight, and mail to communities along Newfoundland's west coast.

In December 1919, the Ethie was caught in a fierce winter storm. With heavy seas and ice building up on the ship, Captain Edward English made the difficult decision to run her aground at Martin's Point rather than risk the ship sinking offshore. It proved to be the right decision. With the help of local residents, a line was stretched between the ship and the shore, and all 92 passengers and crew were brought safely to land. It's one of Newfoundland's best-known shipwreck stories, and over the years it has become part of local folklore, with tales of heroic rescues that are still shared today.

More than a century later, nature has slowly reclaimed the wreck. Some sections of the ship rest on the beach while others sit just beneath the water, a reminder of the dramatic events that unfolded here so many years ago.

While we were exploring the wreckage, we were treated to an unexpected wildlife show.

Several seals were playing just offshore, bobbing up and down in the water as if they were keeping an eye on us. Every time one disappeared beneath the surface, another would pop up somewhere else. We stood there watching them far longer than we had intended.

Then we spotted a couple of minke whales farther out. They surfaced quietly before disappearing beneath the water again, giving us just enough time to appreciate that they were there.

With no one else on the beach, the whole experience felt almost surreal. The only sounds were the waves rolling over the stones, the cries of seabirds overhead, and the occasional splash from the seals. .

We never did see a moose that morning.

But if we had, we might never have pulled into Martin's Point. Instead, we discovered a quiet beach with a fascinating history, watched seals at play, spotted minke whales in the distance, and enjoyed one of the most peaceful mornings of our trip. 

Have you ever stumbled upon a place that wasn't on your itinerary but ended up being one of your favourite memories?