RV traveller says late-night attack in NL ‘scared the hell out of me’

Chuck Hayden said a group approached his RV and threw items at the vehicle overnight, but one frightening encounter has not changed his love for the province

Chuck Hayden had spent the evening in Flowers Cove, doing what had become routine during his years on the road. The full-time RV traveller had parked for the night, cooked dinner, taken a walk and settled in with a book. He was travelling through Newfoundland and Labrador — a place he had returned to after falling in love with its scenery and people during a previous visit.

Then, sometime around 3 a.m. on July 9, the quiet of the night was broken. “I heard footsteps outside of my RV, and I’m very attuned to that,” Hayden said. “Next thing I know, there’s three or four people just banging on the outside of my RV.”

He said the behaviour did not appear to be someone looking for help. “They were just being stupid,” he said. “They scared the hell out of me.”

Hayden said he heard two side-by-sides leave the area and believed the encounter was over. But about 20 minutes later, he said, they returned. “They started throwing things at my rig,” he said, describing purple liquids being thrown onto the outside of his RV.

“They kept banging on my RV every five, 10 minutes.” Another RV parked nearby was also a target, he said, with the group moving between the vehicles. Eventually, Hayden decided it was time to leave.

“I yelled out the window, ‘I’ve got you guys on camera,’” he said. “They took off, and I took that opportunity to jump into my driver’s seat and drive away.” He drove roughly 75 minutes to St. Anthony, arriving in the early hours of the morning, where he felt he could safely stop.

The encounter was reported to the RCMP the following day. ‘This is not who we are’ Afterwards, the Town of Flowers Cove issued a statement addressing what happened and stressed that no resident or visitor should feel unsafe or intimidated in the community. The town said a tourist and their vehicle were targeted in the early hours of July 9, with rocks and garbage thrown at the vehicle, causing damage.

Hayden said his own RV was targeted during the encounter, with garbage and liquids thrown onto the vehicle, but clarified that any damage reported by the town was likely to the other RV parked nearby. In its statement, the town said the confrontation comes amid what it described as an “ongoing pattern of disrespect and destruction on municipal property,” including vandalism and the misuse of off-road vehicles in the area. As a response, the town said it is in the process of installing cameras in areas where concerns have been raised, including around municipal recreational facilities and other properties.

“Misusing off-road vehicles and targeting people is not who we are, and it will not be tolerated,” the town said. The town said any future incidents of this nature will be “captured on camera and forwarded directly to the RCMP.” A life built on the road For Hayden, the encounter was a stark contrast to the experience that led him to embrace life on the road.

About four and a half years ago, after decades of working and living in Virginia, Hayden sold his home, furniture and most of his belongings. He bought a small RV and set off across North America. “I’ve been to 48 states and seven provinces,” he said.

“I’m just enjoying life, meeting people, seeing wonderful things and just getting out there and living life.” The idea had been in the back of his mind for years after watching others document their RV lifestyles online. But after workplace injuries led to two neck surgeries and reconstructive shoulder surgery, he decided not to wait.

“I thought, ‘What’s next in my life?’” he said. He made a decision not to keep a home base. “It would be too tempting to go back too often,” he said.

“I want to go out and live on the road.” So far, he said, it has been everything he hoped for. When people ask him about the best places he has visited, Hayden says it is rarely the landscape that comes to mind first.

“It’s not the places, it’s the people,” he said. “I’ve met wonderful people all across the U.S. and Canada.” ‘Newfoundland is my favourite place’ Despite what happened in Flowers Cove, Hayden said the experience has not changed how he feels about Newfoundland and Labrador.

He first visited the province last year for about five weeks and returned again this summer. “I’ve had zero problems,” he said. “Everybody’s been very welcoming and with open arms.”

The reason he returned, he said, was simple: the people. He was inspired to visit Gander after watching Come From Away, the musical based on the town’s response to stranded passengers following the Sept. 11. 2021 attacks.

While visiting Gander, he struck up a conversation with two older men over coffee and thanked them for what the community did. One of the men’s responses stayed with him. “He goes, ‘What else would we do?’”

Hayden recalled. “That just made me smile. That’s just normal.

If somebody needs help, we help.” He said that spirit has been reflected throughout his travels in the province. “Newfoundland is my absolute favourite place that I’ve ever been to,” he said.

“I’ve come back twice now, made the reservations on the ferry, and just had a spectacular time.” A lesson in staying aware Hayden said the response from Flowers Cove was positive. He said the town manager reached out after seeing his post on Facebook and was apologetic about what happened.

“She was very nice,” Hayden said. “She said if I’m ever in the area again and anything happens, call me 24/7.” Hayden said the experience has reinforced the importance of awareness for people travelling alone.

He regularly “boondocks” — staying overnight in places where parking is permitted rather than always using campgrounds — but said preparation is important. “Make sure you’re checking out the place that you’re planning on staying,” he said. “Make sure, one, that it’s legal to stay there, and two, check your surroundings.”

He also advises travellers to pay attention to their surroundings. “I’ve been doing it for four years. I’m not an expert by any stretch, but I’m aware of what’s going on around me.”

‘Don’t let one bad experience stop you’ Hayden said he hopes the experience does not discourage people from visiting Newfoundland and Labrador. He also hopes people’s perceptions of RV travellers do not become shaped by negative stereotypes. He said some people assume RV travellers are irresponsible or leave behind a mess, but he believes the majority are respectful visitors who contribute to communities along the way.

“We bring money into communities,” he said, pointing to spending on fuel, food, groceries and campgrounds. For Hayden, the frightening night in Flowers Cove was an exception — not a reflection of the province he has come to love. “This can happen anywhere,” he said.

“It’s unusual. Very unusual to happen here.” His advice to other travelers is simple: stay aware, report concerns when they happen, and keep exploring.

“Even if it’s a minor incident, it’s important to report it so they can make sure it doesn’t fester and become a bigger problem,” he said. RCMP remind travellers to stay aware Port Saunders RCMP said they received a report of mischief from an overnight camper near Flowers Cove on July 9. Police said the camper reported that a group had approached their trailer earlier in the night and threw a liquid onto the outside.

No damage was reported to police, and the camper was able to continue their journey. After the report, RCMP also shared some safety reminders for people travelling and camping in rural areas. Police recommend letting someone know your plans before heading out, including where you are staying and when you expect to check in.

They also suggest arriving at campsites before dark when possible, so travelers have a chance to get familiar with their surroundings and make sure they feel comfortable with the location. For those camping in remote areas, police said it is important to have a reliable way to call for help if needed. That could include a cellphone where service is available or a satellite communication device in more isolated areas.

They also recommend keeping vehicles, trailers and valuables secured, and reporting any suspicious activity to police as soon as possible. Sign up here for our morning newsletter, our breaking news and our new Telegram This Week newsletters to get more in-depth coverage of the stories that matter most in Newfoundland and Labrador, right in your inbox.