Travel Destination: Iceberg Alley, St. Anthony, Newfoundland
While traveling around Newfoundland, one of the "must see" places is known as Iceberg Alley, just off the eastern coast at St, Anthony and of course the town of St. Anthony itself. This unique, tidy little town boasts many interesting facets including an invigorating ecological and cultural journey into unique heritage.
Go on one of the boat tours and explore the northern corridor of Iceberg Alley which consistently has more icebergs that any other area of Newfoundland, because they are breaking away from the large ice fields of Greenland and sweeping down the Canadian coast. The beauty of these shimmering iceberg mountains will rejuvenate your soul. When they appear, you can feel the chill in the air, as you pass a 15,000-year-old iceberg. You can taste the purest water on earth - iceberg ice water at many of the restaurants in St. Anthony.
Be awestruck by the splendor of the bird life and cave formations around St. Anthony. Observe the majesty of the bald eagle in flight and visit fascinating colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots and arctic terns. Experience the excitement of viewing one of Newfoundland's largest sea caves, the Old Man Cave, while listening to stories about local legends, about how a man fell overboard while fishing near the cave and managed to get inside, up on the rocks. How he stayed there for three weeks before other fishermen found him, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration but alive, after giving him up for lost at sea.
The coastal waters off St. Anthony are noted for its annual gathering of humpback whales and dolphins. Sightings of the minke, fin and killer whales are common. When the whales arrive, savor the sounds of their acoustical blows or watch them breach nearby. Witness the speed and agility of the white-beaked dolphins as the playfully leap and race before the bow of the boats. Or join the locals as they stand on the tops of the capes of St. Anthony and watch as the whales breach just off-shore and blow water out the blow holes on the top of their heads. Listen and you may hear their soulful whale song.
One of the quaint customs of the people of Newfoundland is the small garden plots along the highway. Newfoundlanders found a rich deposit of soil after the government had the new highway built and threw the topsoil to the sides. The gardens are fenced with bright flags fluttering from the top rung, to keep the moose and caribou away from the precious winter vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, turnips and beets are grown within feet of the highway, miles from any type of settlement. It takes dedication to tend a kitchen garden so far from home.
In the northern reaches of Newfoundland the people can also boast about being the berry capital of the world, for good reason. Nearly everyone goes into the barrens to pick fresh raspberries, partridge berry, cloudberry or bake apple as the locals call it along with many other types of berries. These berries are made into the most delicious jams and jellies and adorn their breakfast tables with a variety to tempt the unsuspecting visitor.
St Anthony has what most people want in life. It is a unique blend of old heritage and culture mixed gently with modern living. Enjoy a refreshing blend of nature, education and Newfoundland hospitality that can never be forgotten.
