The Thursday forecast all week was 18⁰C and sunny. By 10:30 with an hour and a half on the road, we were having our doubts.

I’m experimenting with the new to me app as Leo drives. Poor connectivity is already an issue as I try to add an image. We’ll see.

The plan is to go through Avondale area, check into Salty Seas Cottages and blow the horn at Renee Gosse’s house in Red Head Cove whether she’s home or not. We’ll see.

I’ve picked this area for a number of reasons. Local photographers have been generous on my Newfoundland and Labrador Iceberg Reports group with current photos and a few FB messages have been exchanged with some. But my main reason is the fires.

Much of this region was threatened by, or devastated by, months of wildfires in 2025. Over 200 structures lost throughout multiple communities. Historic properties, new homes and businesses. Summer homes, work places and a school.

Dipping into my iceberg travel portion of a Go Fund Me that assisted with medical expenses, I’m paying it forward a bit by staying and eating in the remaining businesses. Every bit helps has always been one of my guiding principles.

By Clarenville we’re entering fog. Sigh.

We have a routine. Stop for a bathroom at Rudy’s in Port Rexton and soup at the Big Stop in Goobies.

Saving my posts often as we lose service frequently.

Beautiful drive via Avondale and first iceberg in Cupids.

The iceberg in Cupids has hung out for a week or so. We ran into friends who’ve been checking on it regularly.

It’s also mountainous and beautiful in this area.

We had some discussion and debate and decided we’d never done Avondale or Cupids before. Lots to do in the area when the seasonal attractions open. A couple nights to poke around here would be a good plan, but not today’s plan.

Our next iceberg was a near miss. We didn’t drive through Carbonear but caught it from a lookout/pull off on the highway. Amateur mistake. We’re out of practice.

I took a snap of a pond to my right and almost immediately we started seeing charred hills and forests. All around us in some places.

It wasn’t until we started seeing bare foundations that the chills struck.

Sticking to my goal of supporting remaining businesses we stopped at the Small Point General Store where my friend Deb advised to check out the bakery. We were late in the day but scored THE BEST PEANUT BUTTER BALLS EVER and Leo’s favourite, Five Stars Bars.

It’s remarkable how fire took houses on one side of the road but not the other but in a few minutes we see the burns on both sides. Pockets of devastation and still standing.

Then we passed a beautiful playground in Western Bay with a bulldozed area behind it. I got Leo to turn around.

Cabot Academy was lost in the Kingston fires. It was so sad to see and think about the loss to the community and this old teacher had a good cry for them.

Swings and no kids.

The 18⁰ eventually happened but skies were heavy and we had light fog by the time we got to Ochre Pit Cove and Salty Seas Cottages. But I could see 2 icebergs nearby and 3 in the distance!

I had emailed the owners to inquire about scent free accomodations due to fragrance allergies. They told me the brand of laundry products used and all was well. I booked for one night.

We had forgotten how long this drive is and after seeing the Tuckamore Cottage we immediately reserved a second night rather than driving home in forecasted rain.

Tammy and Jim lost 3 larger accomodations in the fire. A 2 story 3 bedroom property and two 2 bedroom cabins that were newly built. They have full time rentals in a few cabins since the fires and are trying to navigate a new normal.

The cabins are lovely for couples or single travelers. They feel they’ve post their family options for now with only one 2 bedroom cottage left.

I couple see boxes behind them from a restoration company and can only imagine to stress and struggle in dealing with insurance but they were all about making sure we had everything we needed for a good stay. Perfect hosts.

We were checked in by 4 and decided to beat the rainy forecast by continuing our drive.

I’d had some great insider info from one of my iceberg group members, Scott. He’d posted a HABS flag and iceberg photo the night before and I asked if I could get the same picture. He updated me all day and even talked to some tourists from NB and Ontario, thinking they might be Leo and I.

We chased the same icebergs around nooks and crannies.

And then drove to Red Head Cove to send love to Renee’s house from a distance. Her sunrise pictures helped me see exactly where her home is perched. Some say I’ll stop and say hi but this wasn’t the time. I just wanted her to know she’s though of.

Bay de Verde was our last stop. Promising Grates Cove “next time”.

We managed to get back to Ochre Pit Café in time for supper. Hat tip for burger looking exactly like the menu picture and featuring local beef.

And because it’s going to be a rainy day and we won’t travel far, that Sliceberg Pizza is the lunchtime plan tomorrow.