Burgeo's Beaches - Sand Dunes, Barren Islands and Blue Waters

 This summer's adventure was to Burgeo here in Newfoundland. Some of our regular readers either have relatives there or at least roots. It's about 80 kms east of Rose Blanche and sits on the barren landscape not unlike Rose Blanche.

The town, like so many here in Newfoundland is less than half the size it was during its prosperous fishing days. But Burgeo's other asset is the Sandbanks Provincial Park. The Sandbanks name captures its essence nicely with sand dunes reaching  the water's edge, but before we tell you more about that, we need to explain that our adventure started about 148 kms before we got there.

Burgeo is only 80 kms east of Rose Blanche and there are only two options to get there. The most direct is by boat along the coast, and the other, a round about tour of 350 kms or so by road. Without ferry service, we needed to go by road.

It's the last 148 kms down highway 480 that was particularly interesting. The road is paved, but like many secondary highways here in Newfoundland, pitchy and pothole ridden in places. It was scenic but desolate except for the odd cabin and cabin community here and there. Much of the way, there was no cell service, and there were no warnings about "last gas"; you just had to know.

We towed Penny, our little travel trailer, along behind so we could camp in the Provincial Park. The sand beaches at the Park were reportedly like the Caribbean, but in fact, were much more scenic. Marlene and I love to beachcomb, and within an easy walk, there were seven beaches.

We beachcombed  for hours and hours over two days and seldom saw another person. The first day was foggy, and the many barren islands just off-shore came and went in the Newfoundland fog. 

On the second day, the sky was blue, and sunshine along with gentle breezes got us into our shorts and my shirt tucked into my backpack.

Burgeo is also known for its moose. During our stay, some folks saw a few in the Park, but unfortunately we did not.

Our memories of Burgeo are of sand dunes, sand dunes everywhere, gentle breezes, sunbathed beaches and  beautiful barren islands dotting the blue waters. Rumour has it though, it's a different place in the winter when a nor'easter rolls by with high winds, blowing snow and blinding sleet.