My father, Robert Blackburn, was requested to edit a supplement about Newfoundland for the Canadian Encyclopedia in 1949. In 1962, he thought it would be a good idea for the family to visit this newest province to see if the interesting research he had done was accurate. In 1962, I was 12 years old and I remember a few details of that adventure. The crossing was quite rough and I was not feeling very well. Dad thought it would be good for me to have some lunch. As we entered the cafeteria, there was a chafing dish of mashed turnip steaming away. Lunch was cancelled with a quick trip to the outside deck. I still can’t eat turnip! We arrived in Port aux Basques and were told that the Trans Canada Highway had now been officially opened to St. John’s. Part of the celebration of this event was paving the first 60 miles of the highway out of Channel- Port aux Basques. My father had purchased a used standard 180 B Mercedes Benz that spring, as he heard it was a dependable vehicle that would last at least 10 years. At the end of the paved 60 miles, the highway was a rough gravel road with some very coarse stones (rocks). One of the 4 engine cylinders quit and we lost the muffler on one of the pot holes. We forged on to Corner Brook where we stayed for the night. The next morning Dad inquired about a repair shop. There may have been several but no one had seen a Mercedes before. Unfortunately, we had to return to Nova Scotia to get the car repaired in Halifax. Since that memorable trip, I have travelled four more times as an adult. On each trip since then, my wife and I have toured to different parts of Newfoundland bringing friends with us. On our visit in 2018, I organized a two week 5-concert tour with the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir. This summer will be our 6^th visit. We have yet to visit all of the people and places in your beautiful province. I can’t wait!! -Harry Blackburn