Friday & Saturday, September 2/3 – Central Region

Beothuk Interpretation Center

After a 9am start, we headed north on Highway 330 towards Boyd’s Cove.  A visit to the Beothuk Interpretation Center was quite educational, as we learned a great deal about the original native inhabitants of Newfoundland – the Beothuk people (pronounced “Bee – Oh – Thunck”).

Beothuk exhibit inside the center

Archeological evidence indicates they probably came to the island from Labrador about 1000 years ago and around 1500 met the early European settlers.  They didn’t mix with them, but over time as the European population increased there were interactions that led to conflict and the absorption of diseases that the Beothuks had no immunity towards.  The population of Beothuks steadily decreased, and in 1829 the last survivor, a woman who kept a journal, died of tuberculosis. The guides manning the center were very knowledgeable, and the displays and artifacts available tell the sad story of what happened to the Beothuk population.

Enjoying the view at Twillingate lighthouse

The fudge lady at Twillingate

Continuing north from Boyd’s Cove, we passed through Virgin Arm, drove by Dildo Run Provincial Park, and on to the Twillingate area, the largest of many scenic coastal villages to the north.  It’s quite the touristy area, and a visit to the lighthouse seemed appropriate.  

Twillingate lighthouse

 Though the lighthouse was a bit of a disappointment, the area was gorgeous, and they had a great gift shop where the lady in charge made and sold some great fudge!  Lunched in town on local cod, which we’re both enjoying.

Twillingate Harbour

Botwood became our next destination, where they have a Seaplane Museum located in one of the old hangers.  Botwood was the site selected for the transatlantic “Clipper” routes for refueling when the Flying Boats departed for Ireland.  The first proving runs were in 1937, with full service by Pan Am and BOAC shortly thereafter. 

Map of the commercial flight route to Europe

Sikorsky S-44 Clipper

Canso flying boat at Botwood

The museum is setup inside with a boardwalk, which guides visitors around different photo displays and aircraft models telling the story of the Clippers and Botwood’s place in history.  The “Clipper” routes were from NYC to Southampton, England with stops in Newfoundland and Foynes, Ireland.  (Foynes is near Shannon, and became the route terminus after WWII started).  Botwood was the original landing spot in Newfoundland, but was replaced by Gander Lake as the latter is fresh water and available for use year round.  During the war, Botwood was used as a Naval Seaplane base by the Allied forces, and anti-submarine Catalina’s and Canso’s were based there.  A Canso (Canadian Catalina!) is located at the Museum on the seaplane ramp, but you can’t go in it. 

Pan Am exhibit

Botwood additionally has a history museum in the same location, and the town itself has a unique distinction-building art.  Many of the buildings around the town are decorated with beautiful historical paintings, which apparently are still being created.  Nice town, very friendly people.

Building art in Botwood

Botwood Post Office

Cormack market

We stayed in a transient campground off the TCH for the night, and spent several hours on Friday driving West to the Gros Morne National Park area on the West Coast. Along the way we passed thru the town of Cormack, which is the name of one of our grandsons.  Had to stop!  Ended up buying some "Cormack Jelly" for his visit, but later found out he doesn't care for strawberry!  We enjoyed it, though!
   
 Gros Morne is huge, and is awsome in its beauty!  We drove through about half of it getting to our campground in Rocky Harbour.  There is much to see and do here, so we’ll be exploring the next day or two.