I have been in Newfoundland for three weeks. Before I started this journey I asked a local Nova Scotian how long I should give myself on “The Rock”. His reply was at least a month if not more. I didn’t believe him. Now, I do. I am running out of time.

This “Rock” is beautiful. I am not here at the right time of year to see icebergs or Puffins feeding their young and you know what, I don’t care. I have been traveling the back roads and loving every minute of what I have been seeing.

As I have been told I came in through the back door. After spending a week crossing the TransLabrador Highway, I took the ferry from Labrador to the island’s north end. I was engulfed by the mysteries of this amazing place. I spent a few nights at the very north end so I could explore everything Viking. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO site, and a treasured find. I dove into the world of everything Viking. I even had my photo taken with my very own Viking.

The site contains the excavated remains of a complete 11th-century Viking settlement, the earliest evidence of Europeans in North America and the only Viking settlement. It consists of eight timber-framed turf structures built in the same style as those found in Norse Greenland and Iceland from the same period.

It was in a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean. I spent much of the day exploring, ending it with a hike along the coast, through the bogs, back to my rig. It was an interesting day spent among the Vikings from the fifteenth Century.

Since there is only one main road from the north I began my meander down the island. I took time to explore the little side roads to different villages hugging the coastline. I went where people told me to go as it was a must-see. Then I wandered off the must-sees and found my own spots to be in awe of.

Even though it is only a month my pace feels a bit leisurely allowing me time to explore at an easy pace. I have been in the mountains, Gros Morne National Park and along the ocean and everywhere in between.

Here are a few of my favorite places among the many that I have seen in Newfoundland.

• Pistolet Bay Provinical Park. There are some places I camp that are a little bit better than other campgrounds. I really liked this campground. They let me a few others camp in the overflow area which was right next to a beautiful lake. I could hear loons.
• Cow Head. Once I crossed a spit of land I parked and hiked into an historic lighthouse that was hiding in the woods.
• Trout River is this quiet little town at the end of the road. I fell in love with the area and the people. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. The big event in trout river happened in 2014 when a dead blue whale beached in this small town. What do you do with one of the largest and dead mammals in the world? I guess you are going to have to visit Newfoundland or check it out on the web.

• Twillingate is at the end of one of the many arms of Newfoundland. I arrived on a beautiful day and went off to explore the lighthouse and hike some of the trails. It is a very pretty little town.
• Elliston is the home of the Puffins and is the Root Cellar Capital of the World. This little town had to reinvent itself. At one point it could not even pay for electricity for the community. The town had a meeting and decided to cash in on tourism with the Puffin Colony and the Root Cellars. They now are financially solvent. Although most of the Puffins were gone when I arrived I did see the straggling adolescents and adults.

• Trinity Lighthouse and the town of Trinity are extremely picturesque and the light house offered me the best of camping and exploring. I think it was one of my favorite campsites.

• How can anyone not like towns that are named Hearts Ease, Hearts Delight, Hearts Desire and Hearts Content? When I saw the names on the map I knew I had to go and explore this arm of Newfoundland.

I am as far east as I will be going on this trip. I made it to St John’s, the largest and only city on the island. Just like the rest of the island it has been interesting to explore a more urban setting, get a pedicure and a hair cut and color. This is a colorful town with a pretty seaport. And dining out is fun. Banana Bread French toast is a good way to start a day.

Tomorrow I drive into my last week on “The Rock”. Newfoundland continues to be a fine adventure. I have enjoyed my last few days in the city, yet I will be glad to leave it behind and head into the rural areas once again.

Today I am thankful for the little thing that make me feel good, a pedicure and a new do. Today I am thankful for the adventure of it all.

Today I am thankful