5 September 2019, Thursday
The night’s 100% chance of rain never arrived, but this morning we have wind and clouds suggesting rain is on the way. And the barometer is dropping. I soon realize my weather site was still set for L’Anse aux Meadows. Here, we are expecting rain mid-day today.
O and I finish breakfast and walk over to the beginning of the Black Head Trail which starts just behind the washrooms. The trail is boardwalked in places and has wooden steps at the steeper sections. We have a strong wind from the south as we walk 2 km to a viewing platform. The vista across Dildo Run is beautiful, even with dark storm clouds and rain moving our way. An osprey, fish grasped in talons, flies right overhead as we decide it’s time to return to camp. The rain is approaching quickly. We soon stop beneath some trees to pull on our rain suits – just in time. The rain is torrential, but brief. By the time we reach the campground the sun is shining, and it seems the rain is over for the day.
After a lunch snack, O and I drive to Twillingate, about 12 miles up route 340, looking for the Top of Twillingate Trail. It’s easy to find once we realize we need to turn left on Bayview Road, not right as our hiking book directed. The trail is well-marked, beginning under an archway with a brightly painted boardwalk leading towards the hill. There are four lookouts around the hill, and on top is a wooden tower to climb for a panoramic view of Twillingate and its surrounding islands. Needless to say, the rain returns as we make our way back to Vincent.
After a pleasant, but sometimes damp day of hiking we proceed to the Split Rock Brew Pub in Twillingate, where we enjoy a flight of 4 beers and then share a pint of bitter. The food menu is limited, but I enjoy my flatbread pizza, and O has a tasty sweet potato and black bean veggie burger. Unfortunately, the brewery does not plan to begin offering their beer in cans until sometime in October. I guess we’ll have to come back next year.
By the time we arrive back at Dildo Run, the evening sun is shining and a gentle breeze blows – excellent drying conditions for our wet rain gear.