Squid Jiggers Trail, Change Islands

Newfoundland is the world’s 16th largest island. Change Islands lies off its northeast coast and is accessible by a short ferry ride from Farewell, which is approximately an hour’s drive from Gander. The phone number to check the ferry schedule is 1 888-638-5454. If you are a visitor to our province, allow extra time as many of our side roads are in terrible condition. Also note that Farewell is not a town, so there are no services, except washroom facilities. In summer, I believe there are chip/food vans on sight. Simple works for me, hope it does for you too.

Our old Islander camper van has taken us on many adventures and is ideal for our hiking lifestyle.

The population of Change Islands is approximately 300. Change Islands “includes two large islands connected by a causeway that was built in 1965 and resulted in the arrival of the first motor vehicles on the islands.” Jean Edwards Stacey in Art At The Edge.

Causeway linking the two islands.

Just across the tickle, this beautiful house provided a colourful backdrop for our overnight stay. In the morning, it was a welcome splash of colour in the fog and rain.

Viewing an old church on this grey foggy day.

Root Cellars

Strolling through Change Islands

The sign says approximately 1 hour, one person told me 11/2 hours and another, 2 hours. I would allow the maximum if you want to enjoy and explore. I would rate this trail moderate not easy because of the terrain. There are stairs, rocky areas and sections are crisscrossed with tree roots.

……and off we go.

Setting for Al Pittman’s play West Moon? I know it isn’t, but if I were here on All Soul’s Day, I would have to make a late night visit to listen for their voices.

We arrived on Change Islands late in the afternoon on Monday and had hoped to do the trail on Tuesday. Tuesday’s forecast called for rain, so we decided to leave around 5 pm on Monday to do the hike…..halfway through, it started to rain.:)

Roseroot

Bakeapple/Cloudberry

Lobster Traps

Elephant Tree

Keep your eyes open.

Giant Dinosaur Egg!

…always a welcome sight.

Two days before we did the hike, I found a most beautiful book at our library book sale. Serendipity!

Art At The Edge
Fogo Island and Change Islands Through the Eyes of Therese Frere. It was commissioned by the Shorefast Foundation. The artist is from Quebec and her depictions of the islands are stunning. The text is written by Jean Edwards Stacey and provides many interesting facts and details about the author and Fogo and Change Islands. I can’t recommend this book enough.

Click on the Change Islands link at the beginning of the blog for more information about the town and plan your visit.

“…that the distance between ordinary and extraordinary is only a step, a breath, a heartbeat away.” Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

photos by L. Fudge, text by carolfromthecove