Very rarely is so much beauty shoved into a three mile trail. That’s why, when you make it to the Bonavista peninsula people make sure you don’t skip the Skerwink Trail. I’ve been curious how one trail can be so recommended, my assumption from experience is that this area must have almost no nature and this is the only trail in the area. I was very wrong. They just made a perfect trail. You can’t capture it in pictures but the entire time you are surrounded by jaw dropping landscapes. It starts off by taking you through a dense fir forest on the way to the coast where the trail meanders along the cliffs with stunning views to the left and alpine forest on your right. We bring em both together and we go hiking all night. I wish I could capture the beauty for you.

We spent our entire time on the island so far driving up and back down the west coast. The island is huge and crossing the interior will take us a couple of days at our pace. I’ve been curious how it differs from the coast. The trees can finally grow to their potential and the forests are much taller pines and the birch have returned. The open meadows are covered in wildflowers blowing in a consistent breeze. We drove through Terra Nova National Park during the drive and they had some touch tanks for kids. The park looks awesome and we have a few open days coming up I think we will try to return here to camp.

I found a little roadside campground for a layover on our way across the island but we were surprised to find that it was right on a big swimming hole on a bend in the river. I finally got to use the floats we’ve been schlepping around. Then I realized we brought unused hockey gear and made use of that.

After the Skerwink trail we went slightly inland to a Provincial Park to camp. The gentleman at registration smiled and told me we have the best site and it’s got a private beach. The kids immediately climb in the water both before bed and early in the morning. The kids seem immune to the cold water, wind, and eleven o’clock sunset. Our site was excellent, extremely private off in the woods but with this perfect swimming hole. We decide to stay longer in the morning and make a fire and a rare formal breakfast.