Blogs

On our most recent trip to this part of Central Newfoundland we stayed at the luxurious Riverwood Inn (http://www.riverwoodinn.ca/) which received the “Accommodator of the Year” award for 2011 from Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. It has a spectacular setting overlooking the Indian River and has walking trails that start right from its front door. When we asked Tracey Penney, the Inn’s manager about what to see in the local area she recommended checking out “glassy beach”, the local Springdale hiking trails and King’s Point pottery in King’s Point. 

The Central Newfoundland whale pavilions, a truly beautiful place, revealing the absolute beauty of our back yard mammals. With twenty-two different species of whales living in our waters, the Central Newfoundland whale pavilions in Triton and Kings Point take full advantage of what nature has brought to our shores. The Huxter family takes a quick dive into what is offered and takes time to investigate the marvelous creatures.

We are big fans of traditional Newfoundland music whether it be “I’se the Bye” or a song from the Northern Peninsula that we might never have previously heard. Neddy Norris Night is Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s popular musical night and it takes on a different flavour depending on who is the musical director that year.

One Friday morning this past August we started our journey to the Great Northern Peninsula in search of what everyone was talking about, the icebergs that broke off of the Petermann Glacier in August, 2010. Iceberg season on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland typically begins in late May however it was closer to the end of July before icebergs began to arrive this year. These late arrivals were due to the 280 square kilometre ice island that broke off of the Petermann Glacier near Greenland last August. The late arrival was not the only surprise this year, the sheer size and large number of bergs was also quite astonishing. Reports indicated that over seventy-five icebergs could be seen in the St Anthony area and that’s what we were setting out to see.

Frolicking on a beach in Newfoundland and Labrador doesn't always top the list of must do's when visiting the province. Much less during the month of December! But a trip to King's Point and area reveals a beach that can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Of all my travels around Newfoundland this summer, visiting Prime Berth Heritage Centre in Twillingate was one of my most memorable experiences. An interactive, interpretative centre created by David Boyd as a tribute to the culture and heritage of his fishing forefathers, Prime Berth is hard to miss as you're driving across the causeway...

As our trip to Newfoundland stretched out before us, I knew I would blog about it and I knew instantly that the theme would be gratitude to the people of Newfoundland. So it’s serendipitous that in the last few days I started reading so many words of thanks to the people of Newfoundland from the stranded passengers of 9/11 who were taken into their homes and made to feel like family.

Check out the latest blog from Kurt at TrailPeak.com to read about the scenery, history and culture they’ve discovered along the south coast of Labrador.

Windswept and wild, friendly yet forlorn:  the island of Newfoundland is a corner of Canada steeped in beauty and sadness...

"Remember, give'r till ya shiver," says the man responsible for my safety just before I jump off a boat into freezing water. I've come to the most easterly point in North America in the hope of having an up close and personal experience with whales.

On July 26 – give or take a day or two, depending on weather conditions – about a dozen two-person teams will take the helms of small wooden boats called punts and row 10 miles across open ocean off Newfoundland, Canada.

Amazing Place. How sweet is Newfoundland?

I once was lost…but now am found. Well, make that, lost in my own time zone! Don't worry, I didn't go off the grid, more like I was operating on Newfoundland time. Yes, interestingly enough – being the easternmost point in North America merits Newfoundland its own special time – a half an hour off kilter with the rest of the world. So, in essence, I was lost in this unique space- time continuum that exists in Newfoundland, Canada. Hence, if you really looking to "get away" [both literally and figuratively] – this is the place to go!

Saturday Stan and I had the good fortune to share some time with a humpback whale in Bull Arm. It had surfaced next to Stan about 200 metres away and before I knew it the whale was under me. I could see the white flippers in the waters beneath my kayak and motioned to Stan to come.

We innocently asked our waitress at the Tuckamore Lodge in Main Brook, Newfoundland, where we might get some good photos of moose after dinner. "Well you won't need to go too far. I would simply head back on the road you just came in on and drive a few kilometres back toward Roddickton."