Reports of an early iceberg in Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador caught the attention of my husband and I as we were setting out on a somewhat impromptu road trip across the island. An iceberg in February is early by any standard, even for an area of the province that is well known as a prime spot to see icebergs. Twillingate is indeed a part of iceberg alley, however, it is far more likely to see bergy activity a little later in the year - think May to June. Hearing about this early visitor quickly helped us decide that Twillingate should be our first stop. This would be my fourth visit to Twillingate so as you can imagine there are many other attractions that keep bringing me back.

In addition to the chance to see icebergs, Twillingate and the surrounding communities are home to fantastic trails including the Rockcut Hiking Trails. I had already done two of these trails on a previous visit to the area. This time we did Codjacks Cove Trail, a 6 km (one-way) trail that skims along some fantastic coast line and a number of beaches. In addition to the Rockcut trails there are other trails available of varying lengths in Twillingate and the surrounding communities.

Visiting Twillingate in February means a lot of things weren't yet open for the peak season but we did find a fantastic place to stay at Waterside Cottages. Located right on the water and, being aesthetically very lovely, we really enjoyed our two-night stay. Another stroke of luck was that the Tasty Thai and Pizza restaurant was open. The food is very authentic and not necessarily what you'd expect to find in rural Newfoundland! I had the pad Thai and my husband the cashew chicken. I think I ate mine in three sittings - you get a large portion! Other highlights included a walk through Little Harbour, the community where Codjacks Cove trail emerges. We met a very friendly local man who told us a bit about the history of the area.

After walking through Little Harbour you can access an unpaved road out to the now resettled community of Lower Little Harbour. This was not my first visit there so I was delighted to play tour guide to my husband. There is something so wistful yet wonderful about resettled areas, of which there are many in Newfoundland. There are still a few old homes in Lower Little Harbour which are in various states of disrepair but there are also some old root cellars, which help you imagine a former way of life. Lower Little Harbour also boasts a natural sea arc and it is well worth visit for this alone. Finally, Lower Little Harbour is the site of the trailhead to the next section of the Rockcut Trail system.

While travelers from outside the province may prefer to visit when the tourist season is in full swing, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit when things were very quiet. This area has a lot of adventures to offer in any season!