Norstead, Newfoundland

EASTERN CANADA ROAD TRIP 2019

Just a couple of miles from L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is Norstead, a recreated Viking port of trade. The buildings are similar, and there are costumed reenactors, but Norstead is supposed to represent what a village in the homeland would look like, while L’Anse aux Meadows is the site of an actual Norse settlement.

These buildings are larger, and reflect what a more permanent settlement would have looked like back in Norway. One of the coolest things on display was the ‘Snorri,’ a 54-foot long replica of a Viking knarr, which actually sailed from Greenland to L’Anse aux Meadows in 1998 with a crew of only nine men. I am sorry not to have gotten a picture of it, because it was really cool.

Also, we saw Minke whales here! This is the best whale photo I got, because I don’t always pack my long lens. But that did not take away from my excitement one bit. I sat on a rock and watched this guy/girl for almost an hour.

L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland

EASTERN CANADA ROAD TRIP 2019

L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at the very tip top of Newfoundland, was our most anticipated stop. I heard about this place, the southernmost known Norse settlement, many years ago and had been picturing it in my mind ever since. It was thrilling to actually visit the site of first known European contact with North America (and it is assumed, native Americans).

You can still see the indentations in the earth, made by Norse settlers in the 11th century. Why did they come here? No one really knows - the settlement lasted just a few years. Perhaps they came to scout, to trade, or maybe they were shipwrecked and repairing their transportation home.

There is a recreated village where you can interact with costumed reenactors. It was fascinating to sit by the fire and listen to Norse tales, watch the tanning of a seal skin, and my daughter even got to help demonstrate how to forge iron. She got to take home a nail she made with Ragnar, the blacksmith. I just have to mention that he teased her about not knowing how to tie her shoes (my fault, of course) and it was not long after that she figured it out, so thanks for that, Ragnar.

We had such a great time there that we returned again a second day in a row. I have to reiterate the brilliant thing about the Canadian parks and historic sites is that dogs are welcome. The Norse folk were delighted to meet our ‘little sheep,’ haha. My daughter loved dressing up as a Norse person and literally spent hours in the village. We did tear her away to do a hike around the site, which as you can see in the image above, is situated right on the coast.

We hiked past a little snow, through the peat bogs and up and over some rocks, enjoying the view of the ocean and the constant breeze.

You can see a more modern village nearby.