Peggy’s Cove

 

Day Ninety Three

Weather forecast: rain with a high of 24 today, after today it’s supposed to be sunny with the temperature reaching the low thirty’s. We started our day with a quick breakfast, grabbed our gear and headed out for a forty five minute drive west, to Peggy’s Cove. We took the south route along the coast hoping for some scenic views along the way. Unfortunately, the fog was thick this morning and visibility was low for the journey to the cove.

When we reached the final turn towards the cove, I was bewildered at a giant digital sign stating how many parking spots were available at the visitors centre and at the lighthouse. I noted this to Lori, and she informed me this was one of the highest tourist attractions in Canada; I chuckled in doubt as we headed down the road. 

The digital sign said there was thirty parking stalls available at the lighthouse, so we head there. We crested the hill to the parking, and…. What a zoo! I could not believe the people. There was about a hundred parking stalls, seventy of them full, and four bus zones with two tour busses present. A gentlemen directing traffic guided us to our parking stall, where we had to slowly work our way towards due to all the visitors walking through the parking lot. 

The lighthouse was certainly an ABL. What was interesting was the rock formations around the cove. The entire area is solid granite, polished smooth by the glaciers millions of years ago. We explored the area, hopping from rock to rock (dodging people as we went) working our way closer too the water. There sure is something mesmerizing about watching waves smash against the rocks. After our acrobatics session, we realized we are not spring chickens anymore and headed for the old timers walkway that takes you around Peggy’s Cove towards the visitors centre. 

I will admit the place is certainly a picturesque location, and fully understand the mob of people visiting the spot. The cove is exactly as you see in photographs, or in my case, framed on moms wall from her visit to Peggy’s Cove. I had to look into the dynamics of the town, being curious how the locals cope with the all the tourists, and maintains a rustic appearance. 

Doing a little research, the regional municipality and the provincial government have strict land-use regulations in the vicinity, with most property development being prohibited. Similarly there are restrictions on who can live in the community to prevent inflation of property values for year-round residents. Currently there are twenty three residents living in Peggy’s Cove. 

After we explored the cove we headed back to Sou’Wester restaurant for a little lunch, and a locally brewed beer. After lunch, we headed north of Peggy’s Cove to the memorial for the Swissair Flight 111 that crashed eight miles off the coast of Peggy’s Cove back in 1998. After a little reflection about life, we headed north to Tantallon, and then back to towards Halifax. 

 

Locally made brew.

Swissair Flight 111 memorial.