BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case

Subject: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: Bee
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 09:29 AM

The Thule people have been ruled out as one of the contenders for who scared the Vikings out of Newfoundland. No one knows who the Skraelings were, with Innu, Beothuk and others as contenders, but it turns out the Thule, earlier suspects, would have arrived too late.

I've been to L'Anse aux Meadows in person, and though it's an 800km trek up the West coast from Port aux Basques, it is a stunningly beautiful coastline and the ambience at the reconstruction, and especially at the archaeological site, is almost indescribable.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=dbba5c7c-d6ff-4a3d-9c8d-52343ec08bc4

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 10:12 AM

Thanks for posting.

I haven't paid much attention to the matter of ancient Norse settlement in North America. It is interesting to see that it actually happened.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: Bee
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 10:25 AM

Oh yes, it happened. I don't know why, but I've been fascinated by this site since it was first confirmed to be a Viking settlement. When I was there a few years ago, I was amazed to find that you can go close enough to the original sod walls to place your hand on them - closest an old cynic like me can get to a spiritual experience, I suspect. I was awestruck.

The museum is beautifully placed and designed as well, and the recreation is fascinating. They hire people to dress and act as Viking settlers every summer. One guy who worked there really threw himself into the part, was a lot of fun to interact with. Funniest bit, though was seeing him early in the morning next day, in St. Anthony (nearby town), trotting across the street in full Viking regalia to get into the Tim Horton's.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:17 AM

Hahahahaha... "Yees, maid. Give us a double-double and a boxabits eh. I needs me nerves flat'n'oily afore dem tourist kids starts a foolin wit da artyfax."

I have been there. To think of what happened when the Beothuks laid seige... make the hair on yer neck stand up eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: olddude
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:23 AM

Just ask Bruce
he was alive back then and writing Norse songs :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:26 AM

Oh... what REALLY amazed me were the digs around the site. To comprehend that the soil and biomass could accumulate to such a depth in such a barren spot was hard to wrap my head around. Even after a thousand years.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:29 AM

Ahhhh... okay. Which Bruce? There are 15, that I know of, at the Café.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:52 AM

I really envy those of you who have been there. A Newfoundland vacation has been a dream of ours for years and L'anse aux Meadows would definitely be on the agenda. Maybe someday we'll get there.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: Megan L
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:56 AM

No dear Bruce wasn't writing Norse songs at that time it was a missprint it was Naughty songs. *heads for door

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: Bee
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 12:24 PM

Gnu, the wind up there could have buried that settlement in sand and soil in a couple of seasons, and unburied it a few times as well, as far as I can tell. Lor'! I had to put a tuque on just to keep my hair outta my mouth and eyes!

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 12:45 PM

I used mine to swat skeeters and black flies.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 01:00 PM

NeilD.... if you (or any other 'Catters) ever get the chance to visit The Rock, The Granite Planet... etc, etc... post a thread and I am sure that Jack The Sailor, Bee, me, and others can help you plan a trip that would include a few "unknown spots".

Why, right off... take either The MV Caribou (my fav) or the MV Joeseph and Clara Smallwood to Port-aux-Basques and turn right... head for Margaree... go to the restauraunt (call first to find out if they feel like cooking today and at what times). Buddy, buddy, buddy b'y... yee ain't never had such a proper Seafood Platter at such a price in yer life. Some shockin good me zon! Just drive careful on accounta da mooze eh? What's called Newfie speed bumps.

Oh, and in Gander, check out Sinbad's, where, it don't say on the menu, but, they serve up a mooze burger what would heaven yas.

I'll stop now. I am getting nosestalgic fer the smell a salt water.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 01:04 PM

Sounds like a veritable paradise.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Cold - Really Cold - Case
From: maeve
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 01:12 PM

Some day. gnu. Going up there some day, gnu.