Sept 2, 2019
It is another windy day, but sunny, and according to the campground manager, – a typical day. After breakfast I tried to post some blogs, however the WIFI was quite weak and after posting one blog I stopped. I will find a stronger WIFI at some other place.
Our destination was Pistolet Bay Provincial Park, and the drive for the majority of the trip was along the coast. We followed the coast, passing through several quintessential quaint villages. The waves are rolling off of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and crashing onto the rocky shore. This is a very picturesque drive. We found a spot on the highway that had cell phone service and I pulled into a parking lot of a business in order to make several phone calls.
While parked there, a RCMP patrol vehicle pulled in and the constable said that he is an avid kayaker. He had noticed our sea kayaks and wanted to meet us. We had a great conversation on the side of the road and he told us of several places near by that would be great paddles. I told him that I was a retired member and we talked about policing for a short time, but the conversation stayed mainly with kayaking in the region. Steve and I exchanged business cards and I encouraged him to follow us on our blog. We said good-bye and we went on our separate ways. It was obvious that Steve enjoyed living in this area.
We carried on to Pistolet Bay Provincial Park. The road winds inland for about 40 kms and the boreal forest meet the sub arctic tundra in the region. The forest is thick with short pine and spruce trees and the ground cover is short thick bushes and low growing grasses and lichens. Melt ponds dot the landscape. All along the sides of the roads are large piles of stacked firewood. Heating by wood is main source of warmth here in the winter. The firewood is cut from different woodlots designated by the government and firewood permits are sold for a small fee. The wood is left on the side of the road on the honor system.
We want to visit the L’ Anse aux Meadows this afternoon, so after checking into the campground we unhitched the trailer and drove there.
L’Anse aux Meadows is a National Historic Site. It is the place where the Vikings first landed in Canada. Archeological digs has found conclusive evidence of the remains of sod huts, tools and artifacts dating back to 1000 AD. The National Parks Canada has reconstructed the site with buildings and employees provide tours of the site. Volunteers wear period Viking clothing and discuss and explain what the way of life would have been like it those times. It was very informative and provided another look at the history of Canada.
We were hungry and decided to go to a recommended restaurant nearby. We had supper at the Norseman restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal. Nearby the bronze statue of Leif Erikson was staring out to sea. The statue is quite imposing and was gifted to the Province of Newfoundland by the citizens and friends from Norway.
It was getting dark so we decided to make our way home before we end up with a moose as a hood ornament. We drove to Raleigh, a nearby by village to check out a recommended kayaking spot. The forecast for tomorrow is high winds with rain. We will see what tomorrow will bring.
Quilting in a Kayak 