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see all the sightseeing options and lodging descriptions, directions and
prices, you can get the Newfoundland and Labrador Travel Guide http://www.gov.nl.ca/tourism.
It also tells of campgrounds, tours, festivals and hiking trails.
If you fly to Newfoundland You have a choice of airports. This itinerary
starts at Deer Lake. To start at St. John's, do it in
reverse. From Gander, choose what things you want to include. If you arrive
by Ferry you could select your route depending on what port you arrive
in.
A road trip to the UNISCO World Heritage site at L'Anse aux Meadows,
Newfoundland, Canada could start from Deer Lake airport in Newfoundland.
Most of the drive is on Rt. 430, which is known as the Viking Trail. It
is a modern two-lane highway with wide shoulders. Much of the time there
is a good view of the ocean on the west and the Long Range Mountains in
the east. The distance is about 450 km. So at 100 km/hr it is about a
5 hour drive. Along the way there are rest stops, scenic spots, and villages
to see. This driving trip takes 7 to 9 days round trip.
You may made a different or additional tour to great forests,salmon fishing,
river rafting, and the shore of White Bay near a possible Norse site at
Sop's Arm on the east side of the peninsula.
Trip 1 - to L'Anse aux Meadows
Day 1
You plan to arrive at Deer Lake in time to enjoy daylight as you drive
through Gros Morne Park towards reservations at the motel in Cow Head.
The hour or more drive through the mountains of Gros Morne National park
is quite memorable. You might stop a couple times in the park to stretch
and admire the scenery.
The motel at Cow Head is the Shallow Bay Motel & Cabins. It has a
family restaurant with a wall of windows looking towards the water. On
some nights there is a performance in the little theater attached to the
motel. When I was there the performance was of one of Newfoundland's dramatic
adventure stories. The acting and special effects were quite good. (800-563-1946
www.shallowbaymotel.com) A community museum and craft shop is located
at 143 Main St.
Day 2
The next day you drive to L'Anse aux Meadows. This takes about 3 hours,
but you may make stops along the way. Don't go to St Anthony. Follow signs
that indicate a turn onto Rt. 436. After you go through the village of
Griquet begin to watch for icebergs in the distance.
Pass all the commercial type motels because you have (hopefully) plans
to stay in Hay Cove. Hay Cove is just past the entrance to the National
Heritage Site. It is pristine and natural with plenty of grassy yard outside.
When I was there a Moose was wandering in the garden. Two Bed and Breakfast
places are there. They are Marilyn's Hospitality Home (3 rooms - www.bbcanada.com/1466.html)
and VikingNest/Viking Village (4 rooms/5rooms www.bbcanada.com/vikingnest).
I stayed at the Viking Nest. That is a neat ranch house dedicated to guests.
The Viking Village is in its back yard and appears built especially for
guests. It is newer and has big windows overlooking the water. The Viking
Village is four star**** and the price is reasonable.
After you check in at your lodging, visit the L'Anse aux Meadows National
Historic Site. The visitor's center has exhibits and a video presentation.
A Park Guide will lead you and others down the path (about a kilometer)
past the site where the Norse artifacts were discovered and on to the
replica Norse houses that you've seen in pictures. The guide will tell
of the history of the site and explain features of the homes. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows/index_e.asp
I think that L'Anse aux Meadows is where Thorvald Eiriksson repaired his
ship's broken keel. (Told in the Saga of the Greenlanders). That is why
the archaeologists found only enough iron was forged there to make a few
nails to repair a ship. The ship repair might have taken months or even
years. They had to find and work the lumber, find and forge the iron for
the nails and pretty much rebuild the ship. The unskilled men were probably
kept busy building the shelters in which they lived and worked on the
ship. After they repaired the ship and left, Thorvald was killed in a
skirmish with natives. The ownership of the property then fell to Leif.
In subsequent years the houses may have been used as a way station for
trading voyages
After you have seen the Heritage Site take a minute to make reservations
for an iceberg & whale watching boat ride tomorrow. Drive out of the
National Heritage Site and turn left. Rt. 436 soon ends. At that point
turn right and go about 500 meters to the dock where a sign is posted
telling normal departure times and contact information. (L'Anse aux Meadows
Boat Adventure Tours; Thomas Eddison, Thomas; Hay Cove, NL A0K 2X0 (709)
623-2325). The boat dock is beside the Norseman Restaurant. The restaurant
has great food, a nice gift shop and, on Tuesday and Friday evenings,
has dinner "theater." (www.valhalla-lodge.com). The entertainment
when I was there was performers doing songs and stories about Newfoundland
people and adventures. The restaurant is open 9 am to 10 pm May to October._
Day 3
Do your iceberg/whale watch cruise. Wear warm hats and layers of jackets.
The ocean breeze is constant and can be cold. When you get to the dock
confirm that the boat captain will take you past Cape Bauld, which is
the point of Quirpon Island (pronounced Cur-pon with a nasal 'pon).
I think Cape Bauld is where Thorvald Eiriksson erected his old keel after
repairing his ship and named the place Kjalarnes. The keel indicated his
claim to the land and also acted as a landmark for future voyagers.
Today the island has on it a pricy Lighthouse Inn. (Quirpon lighthouse
Inn www.linkumtours.com) The people there can provide guided hiking or
kayak tours even if you aren't staying there http://www.explorenewfoundland.com)Before
or after your iceberg tour visit Norstead, a living history attraction
located only two kilometers from the World Heritage Site. Norstad is a
replica of a Viking Port of Trade. There are four historically correct
buildings and a replica of a Viking ship. The interpreters are in Viking
dress and do daily tasks of the Viking Age. http://www.norstead.com
Go to St.Anthony for your third night's lodging if you would enjoy a bit
of civilization. There is no real Viking history at St. Anthony but at
the Grenfell Historic properties you will find an Interpretation Center
with exhibits and audiovisuals and a small coffee shop and playground.
http://www.grenfell-properties.com For a motel in St. Anthony I suggest
The Haven Inn (www.haveninn.ca) You can also get Iceberg and Whale Watch
tours at St. Anthony: (http://www.discovernorthland.com)
Day 4
Head back south, to enjoy Gros Morne Park and "Viking scenery."
You could stop along the way at the Port Aux Choix National Historic Site
to see exhibits about the Dorset people who lived there long before the
Europeans came. You reach Port au Choix via Route 430-28 from Port Saunders.
The natives encountered by the Norseman were probably Beothuk, a type
of Algonquin Indian that replaced most of the Dorsets. An Interpretation
center about the Beothuks is located in Central Newfoundland at Boyd's
Cove on route 430. That is for a different or a longer trip.
You may want to stop at Cow Head again, depending on the time of day and
your interests.
Cow head is very near St. Paul's Bay. There may be an archaeological dig
there for a few days this summer. A former military surveillance man from
Maine (Peter Martin) has taken infrared photos that he believes indicate
that there was a Norse settlement at St. Paul's Bay. He believes that
Hop (Mentioned in the Saga of Eirik the Red) was at St. Paul's. I think
that Hop was on the other side of the mountains. But I do think that when
Karlsefni was returning to Straumfjord from the River that Flows from
East to West he stopped at St. Paul's Bay. I think that he found it to
be a great place and that in subsequent, unrecorded voyages, other Norsemen
may have settled there to enjoy the abundant grass in summer and access
to seals in winter.
Or you may push on to get to Norris Point or Rocky Harbour. There are
many motels at Rocky Harbour. It is a good point from which to do things
in Gros Morne. http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/grosmorne
Since you are on a Viking tour you have to at least look at Norris Point.
Day 5 or 6
Off Rt. 430 there is a lookout at the entrance to Norris Point. There
you will find Jenniex House, a gift and coffee shop, and you can park
and enjoy a spectacular view of Bonne Bay and the Tablelands.
I think that Bonne Bay is where Karlsefni sailed his ship into the mouth
of a River that Flows from the East to the West and then he had his ship
lay-to on the south side of the river.
The Burnt Hill Hiking Trail is located at the waterfront area of Norris
Point. Water on three sides and the town on the other surround the hill.
It provides a spectacular view of the town, the Tablelands and the main
arm of Bonne Bay.
The Bonne Bay Marine Station is a world-class research and teaching facility
located in Norris Point. They invite visitors to observe marine creatures
in their aquaria and touch tank and learn about the station's latest research.
http://www.bonnebay.mun.ca It is open 10 am to 5 pm daily June - Sept.
Cottages there include http://www.aperfectgetaway.com There are also two
star cottages and a four star inn that you can find described in your
Newfoundland and Labrador Travel Guide.
You may be going home today. This completes the normal Viking Trail tour.
If you have only a little time and energy visit the Sir Richard Squires
Memorial Provincial Park. Take Rt. 430 south of Gros Morne Park and then
go west on Rt. 422. There you can walk through the woods to view a section
of the Humber River where fishermen try to catch the salmon leaping the
waterfalls. http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/parks/parks/p_sm/index.html
If you have longer, you can go in a different direction to see the great
woods and fishing that are described in the Vinland Sagas.
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To see all the sightseeing options and lodging descriptions, directions
and prices, you can get the Newfoundland and Labrador Travel Guide
http://www.gov.nl.ca/tourism. It also tells of campgrounds, tours,
festivals and hiking trails.
Trip 2 - to Sop's Arm on
White Bay - the possible site of Straumford in the
Saga of Eirik the Red.
Drive to Rt. 420 and go north along great forests to Sop's
Arm located on White Bay. There you will see the mouth
of the Main River, one of Canada's Heritage Rivers - a great place
for fishing, canoeing and whitewater rafting in one of the island's
last truly wilderness areas. http://www.mainriversafari.com
I believe that Sop's Arm is where Straumfjord was located and that
Karlsefni's men explored up the Main River going as far west on
the river as possible and then going a little farther. They may
have seen Western Brook Pond and/or St. Paul's Bay. Later when Karlsefni
was returning from the River that Flows from East to West he stopped
along the way (perhaps at St. Paul's Bay) and his men concluded
that the mountains they saw were the same mountains they had seen
from Straumfjord and Hop. A man, who lives in Sop's Arm, Kent Budden,
believes that he has found Norse artifacts there.
http://www.vinlanddiscovery.com
For lodging near Sop's Arm try the cottages at the River Sea Motel
at Pollards point.on White Bay http://www.riversea.ca They advertise
a tour boat.
Day 8 or9
Ask to boat and picnic at Salt Water Pond just south of Sop's Arm.
I think that Saltwater Pond is the location of Hop where Gudrid
and Karlsefni tried to settle but decided to leave after battling
the natives.
Or arrange to canoe, raft, or fish on the Main River. The norsemen
may have followed the river west and then continued west until they
saw either a view of the ocean or something memorable like Western
Brook Pond. the the following summer when they were on the western
coast they recognized that they saw the same mountains they had
seen from Hop.
This will complete your Viking Trail tour in western Newfoundland.
You will have seen many new things, eaten new foods, and gotten
lots of fresh air and exercise and visions of Vikings will be in
your head.
Day 9 or 10
Get ready to return home. A motel 2 km from the airport in Deer
Lake is the Deer Lake Motel at 15 Trans Canada Highway. http://www.deerlakemotel.com
Or Head for St. John by way of Rt. 1.
On the way consider a ferry trip to Fogo Island.
This may be the "island north of the land" where Leif
Eiriksson stopped before going to the mainland. To get to the ferry
take Rt. 335 to Farewell.
After you return from Fogo, take Rt 330 east along the northern
coast towards Carmonville. Just after Carmonville
You can stop and walk around a pond which may be the hop where Leif
Eiriksson's Camp was located. The location is designated as a nature
walk. It has benches to sit and enjoy the quiet scene. The scenec
walk has a very small parking lot beside the road at a spot where
the ocean shore comes up almost to the road and there is a little
culvert carrying water from the pond into the ocean. On the land
side it looks like woods, but a path leads to and around the pond.
For an even more complete coverage of things to do and places to
go see www.vikingtrail.org
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