We made a small change in our travel plans as we were not able to get on the ferry to Labrador when we were originally booked into St. Barb. We swapped the cities of St. Barb and St. Anthony, and what a surprise that ended up being for us. In St. Anthony we found there was still an iceberg in the area and that iceberg is expected to be gone within days (when we were originally planned to be here). What a beautiful surprise to get to see the iceberg along with many Humpback whales and a lone Harp seal too (most of these seals have already headed back north). What an exciting first day in St. Anthony's we had!
There are so many whales in this area. We drove along various coastal coves and saw so many whales in the distance. A real treat for sure. While here, we also drove up to L'Anse aux Meadows, which is believed by most archaeologists to be the first landing site of Leif Erickson. The village was discovered by two Norwegians, Helge and Anne Ingstad. They did not just stumble upon this finding. These individuals spent many years studying the Icelandic sagas, piecing together the information and then looking for the landmarks they read about. In 1960, they had success when they came upon an area that the locals always assumed were Indian ruins. Positive proof of Viking relics were found in the building outlined archaeological digs. While the Vikings are not believed to have lived here, they are said to have kept this outpost of several buildings for approximately 5 years around the year 1000. The finding of this evidence in the 60's, finally answered the question regarding if these sagas were fictional or actually true. Just recently, another possible Viking location may have been found at Point Rosee. Interesting how many new discoveries are waiting for us to still find Point Rosse. The L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic site is a UNESCO site as it is believed to be the first time humans originating from the Africa area made the full global connection with the aboriginal people of North America.
As we traveled along many of the outlying roads we would see these random piles of wood with a number and also random fenced gardens. We inquired and found out that for about $40 Newfoundlanders can obtain a permit to cut wood (the number is not a phone number but rather a permit number). They typically do not have enough land to store all this wood, so the honest people that they are, their wood is piled along the 'Crown' owned roads and they head there to get it when needed. Also, they are allowed to grow gardens along the 'Crown' owned roads. The areas near the ocean are not conducive to growing things (wind and poor soil), so they head about 5 mile out, pick an area, erect a fence to keep out the Caribou and Moose and plant their gardens. Most gardens are mainly root vegetables such as potatoes, beets, turnips etc.
In the town of St. Anthony we visited the Grenfell house and museum. Grenfell, a physician and Missionary, was from England and came to the Labrador/Newfoundland area in 1892. What he found was a population of about 30,000 people with no medical care at all available. His life story is an interesting one and he is credited with bring medical care here, orphanages, schools, religion and much more. For 48 years he personally provided medical care to the locals. He is a hero of sorts for Newfoundlanders and he was knighted by the King in 1927. We enjoyed learning about him, his family and his various works. His home was totally filled with gifts from people he helped over the years. Of further interest, he has been memorialized in stained glass at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. Grenfell
Next to the Grenfell House is the Labrador Grenfell Health Hospital. We took a short peek inside their lobby to view the absolutely beautiful Ceramic Murals of Jordi Bonet, created in 1967. The murals surround the lobby and they are all ceramic and span from the floor to the ceiling. We are headed to St. Barb in the morning.
Newfoundland Trivia- Pancake Day, in Newfoundland is on the same day as Mardi Gras and holds several similarities. In Newfoundland, eggs were forbidden during lent and pancakes contain eggs so on what others called Fat Tuesday, Newfoundlanders got their fill of pancakes. And similar to King cakes that hide the baby, Newfoundlanders put coins, or other thin objects in the pancakes to surprise people. In some areas, if you find a coin it meant you would be rich, a button that you would be a tailor or a housewife, a nail you would be a carpenter or marry one, and finding a holy item you would be a priest or a nun. Pancake day was observed by both Protestants and Catholics alike.
There are so many whales in this area. We drove along various coastal coves and saw so many whales in the distance. A real treat for sure. While here, we also drove up to L'Anse aux Meadows, which is believed by most archaeologists to be the first landing site of Leif Erickson. The village was discovered by two Norwegians, Helge and Anne Ingstad. They did not just stumble upon this finding. These individuals spent many years studying the Icelandic sagas, piecing together the information and then looking for the landmarks they read about. In 1960, they had success when they came upon an area that the locals always assumed were Indian ruins. Positive proof of Viking relics were found in the building outlined archaeological digs. While the Vikings are not believed to have lived here, they are said to have kept this outpost of several buildings for approximately 5 years around the year 1000. The finding of this evidence in the 60's, finally answered the question regarding if these sagas were fictional or actually true. Just recently, another possible Viking location may have been found at Point Rosee. Interesting how many new discoveries are waiting for us to still find Point Rosse. The L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic site is a UNESCO site as it is believed to be the first time humans originating from the Africa area made the full global connection with the aboriginal people of North America.
As we traveled along many of the outlying roads we would see these random piles of wood with a number and also random fenced gardens. We inquired and found out that for about $40 Newfoundlanders can obtain a permit to cut wood (the number is not a phone number but rather a permit number). They typically do not have enough land to store all this wood, so the honest people that they are, their wood is piled along the 'Crown' owned roads and they head there to get it when needed. Also, they are allowed to grow gardens along the 'Crown' owned roads. The areas near the ocean are not conducive to growing things (wind and poor soil), so they head about 5 mile out, pick an area, erect a fence to keep out the Caribou and Moose and plant their gardens. Most gardens are mainly root vegetables such as potatoes, beets, turnips etc.
In the town of St. Anthony we visited the Grenfell house and museum. Grenfell, a physician and Missionary, was from England and came to the Labrador/Newfoundland area in 1892. What he found was a population of about 30,000 people with no medical care at all available. His life story is an interesting one and he is credited with bring medical care here, orphanages, schools, religion and much more. For 48 years he personally provided medical care to the locals. He is a hero of sorts for Newfoundlanders and he was knighted by the King in 1927. We enjoyed learning about him, his family and his various works. His home was totally filled with gifts from people he helped over the years. Of further interest, he has been memorialized in stained glass at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. Grenfell
Next to the Grenfell House is the Labrador Grenfell Health Hospital. We took a short peek inside their lobby to view the absolutely beautiful Ceramic Murals of Jordi Bonet, created in 1967. The murals surround the lobby and they are all ceramic and span from the floor to the ceiling. We are headed to St. Barb in the morning.
Newfoundland Trivia- Pancake Day, in Newfoundland is on the same day as Mardi Gras and holds several similarities. In Newfoundland, eggs were forbidden during lent and pancakes contain eggs so on what others called Fat Tuesday, Newfoundlanders got their fill of pancakes. And similar to King cakes that hide the baby, Newfoundlanders put coins, or other thin objects in the pancakes to surprise people. In some areas, if you find a coin it meant you would be rich, a button that you would be a tailor or a housewife, a nail you would be a carpenter or marry one, and finding a holy item you would be a priest or a nun. Pancake day was observed by both Protestants and Catholics alike.
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Wood Piles along 'Crown' Land
  Grenfell Museum  St. Anthony, Newfoundland  St. Anthony, Newfoundland  St. Anthony, Newfoundland  Grenfeld House St. Anthony, Newfoundland, |
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