We're going to see the Vikings

Mon June 25 - Today we headed for L'anse aux Meadows at the very northern tip of Newfoundland. A 4.5 hour drive. Not much to see all day except rocks and trees. About the only interesting thing was this unique rock formation known as The Arches.

L'anse aux Meadows National Historic site
is the first known evidence of European presence in the Americas. The small encampment of timber and sod buildings that was originally built more than 1000 years ago has been restored. Costumed interpreters tell about the life and times of the Vikings. Interesting misconception - Norse people are only known as Vikings when they are out on raids. At home they are known as Norsemen and Norsewomen. And women were not allowed to be Vikings.

We watched a 17 minute documentary about the Norse people migrating from Scandinavia to Iceland to Greenland and finally to Newfoundland. Then we joined a guided tour that went out to the rebuilt village. The buildings have a frame made of logs and the walls and roof are sod and peat moss. The walls can be as much as 6 feet thick. Very warm and cozy inside.
There were costumed interpreters in the buildings to share stories of how the Norse people lived.


There is also a nice hiking trail along the shore. From here we could see Labrador across the Strait of Belle Isle. It is about 9 kilometers across the strait at this point.
And you'll never guess who we saw. That's right. The family from Markham.