July 8, 2024 – L’Anse aux Meadows, Burnt Cape Ecological Park and Cape Onion - West Coast of Newfoundland


Monday morning, we woke to sunshine and went to the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.  This is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the only authenticated Viking site in North America and the earliest evidence of Europeans in North America.  We first stopped at the Visitor Center where we could trace the Norse journey across the North Atlantic with maps.




We then joined a Ranger led tour of the archaeological site.  Under the leadership of Leif Eriksson, a group of 60-90 people set up a sturdy encampment of turf-walled buildings that served as an over-wintering base for exploring to the south via the Gulf of St. Lawrence.




For the next decade or two, successive expeditions travelled to this region they called Vinland.  They were mainly in search of hardwood lumber to take back to Greenland.  Eventually, the cost of operating the Vinland enterprise was just not sustainable and the base at L’Anse aux Meadows was abandoned and the buildings burnt.  This is the mound where a longhouse was located.




Our tour guide then handed us over to the Vikings at the recreated Viking encampment. We met Viking re-enactors in the reconstructed sod buildings.  Two Viking ladies sitting outside the longhouse.






Inside the longhouse, we enjoyed hearing stories told by Finn, a merchant-adventurer and his wife Thora.






After Finn finished his stories, Nancy enjoyed a chat with Thora and another young Viking lady.  We enjoyed touring L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and especially enjoyed meeting the Vikings.








After a picnic lunch at L’Anse aux Meadows, we drove to Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve where we took a hike along the coastline.  This area is just north of where we are camping.







The limestone cliffs were magnificent.








            The seagulls really liked this rock formation.








Nancy, Tacky and Susanne walking among the rocks.

 






We then drove north to Cape Onion where the coastal scenery was beautiful.







More beautiful scenery at Cape Onion.





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