We left the Bonavista Peninsula this morning in another driving rain and it lasted all the way to Gander. Unfortunately our view of Terra Nova National Park was rather foggy! We arrived here to more rain and after checking into the Country Inn Trailer Park Sue decided it was a good afternoon to defrost the refrig, read a book, and stay dry. Jeff hooked up in the rain (Again!) ande headed for the North Atlantic Aviation Museum after stopping at Tim Horton’s for a coffee, his first in three days. The Museum depicts the role Gander has played in Newfoundland’s aviation history as well as the very important place it has in the world’s.
The early pioneers here, as they did in most remote locales, provided the lifeline to outlying communities in the 20th century. Gander’s location halfway between Europe and the US also saw it take its place very early in aviation development as a launching point for early flights across the Atlantic, and a vital refueling stop for east and westbound flights during WWII to the current day.
Part of the display reveals the role the entire area played supporting the 31 planeloads of passengers and crews who landed here without warning on 9/11/2001 when all airspace in the US was suddenly closed. The 9500 residents found themselves hosts to 53 aircraft with 6500 passengers and crew from all over the world!
Also depicted are those who have lost their lives in aviation accidents in Newfoundland including the 256 members of the 101st Airbourne headed home from the Mideast on December 12, 1985 .
Jeff left the Museum and drove out to the 101st crash site which is now a memorial to those who died, erected by the members of the Canadian Forces unit here in Gander. 
Standing in the driving rain thinking of how close they all were to being home for Christmas that year was very moving.
We leave in the morning for Twillingate. The weather cleared tonight and is forecast to be good for the next few days; for once we hope the forecast is right!
