Stormy Evening at Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse

We arrived at Peggy’s Cove last evening just in time for dinner at the long-time seafood restaurant, “Sou’Wester”, situated beside Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse.

The clouds were rolling in quickly but we were fortunate that there was no rain. Although the skies were cloudy and there was a chill in the air, it was an enjoyable place to explore and to watch the waters of the Atlantic churn between the rocks surrounding the lighthouse.

Final moments of daylight at Peggy’s Cove

Final moments of daylight at Peggy’s Cove

Early morning light at Peggy’s Cove

Video: Eva Has Fun at the Beach

On the return trip to the hotel from our second day on the Cabot Trail, we stopped at Black Brook Beach to let Eva play in the waves. This location is one of the most beautiful beaches to take in the ocean views at Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It is bordered by a gentle waterfall on one end and intersected by a freshwater brook.

Video: Baddeck, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Baddeck is situated in the heart of Cape Breton Island, considered to be the beginning and end of the world-famous Cabot Trail. Set on the shores of the great inland sea known as the Bras d’Or Lakes Baddeck is a bustling village that maintains it’s essence as a quaint community.

We only just arrived in Baddeck last night (after a 5 hr. 15 min. drive via the Confederation Bridge from Charlottetown, PEI) but that didn’t discourage me from getting up just after sunrise to capture this aerial footage of beautiful Baddeck.

Exploring Green Gables, Cavendish

Today, we explored the Cavendish National Historic Site, Avonlea, and the site of Green Gables. Eva even got her own copy of Anne of Green Gables embossed with L.M. Montgomery’s signature.

Anne resonated around the world, with over 50 million books sold, numerous accolades for her author, and the distinction of being both a Canadian and Japanese cultural icon.

Covehead Harbour Lighthouse

After eating at Richard’s Fresh Seafood this evening in Covehead Harbour, we walked about 2 minutes down the road and explored the site of the Covehead Harbour Lighthouse. The sun was descending low in the sky and there was such a beautiful golden hour glow forming when I took this photo.

Built in 1967 and located beside the entrance to Covehead Bay, this lighthouse is located inside the Prince Edward Island National Park. There is a plaque on the side of the lighthouse describing the Yankee Gale and remembering those who perished in the storm. There is a path across the dunes to the beach. Enjoy a nice walk but confine your swimming to the superivised areas for your safety. The undertow can be strong, dangerous and unpredictable.

The World’s Largest Lobster

As we made our way from Hopewell Cape, NB to Cavendish, PEI we made a short stop in Shediac (recognized the world over as “The Lobster Capital of the World”) to play with the world’s largest lobster.

The World’s Largest Lobster is a concrete and reinforced steel statue by Canadian artist Winston Bronnum. The statue is 11 metres long and 5 metres tall, weighing 90 tonnes. Because the sculpture weighs around 90 tonnes; the lobster alone weighs 55 tonnes while the pedestal weighs around 35 tonnes.

The sculpture was commissioned by the Shediac Rotary Club as a tribute to the town’s lobster fishing industry. The sculpture took three years to complete and attracts 500,000 visitors per year.

 

St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

We left our base near Hopewell Rocks, NB and made the two-hour drive to St. Andrews by-the-Sea, NB. The actual town’s name is Saint Andrews but is sometimes referred to in tourism marketing by its unofficial nickname “St. Andrews By-the-Sea”

St. Andrews by-the-Sea as it is often called, has long been one of New Brunswick’s premier vacation destinations.  It was voted Best Destination in Canada by USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2017

This historic downtown, full of unique treasures made by local artisans, 27 acres of Kingsbrae Garden (one of the Top Ten Public Gardens in Canada) and the scenic harbour made us want to spend more time here in the future.

In 2016 the Canadian Institute of Planners awarded the prestigious Great Street designation to the town’s historic Water Street, stating that “it has been the heart and soul of commercial and community life in St. Andrews by-the-Sea for over 200 years – the focal point for its 1,800 residents and 80,000 annual visitors.”

Such a beautiful day to visit St. Andrews by-the-sea

A genuine English Telephone Booth with at the entrance to Kingsbrae Garden

Kingsbrae Garden, St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Lunch at Kingsbrae Garden’s, The Garden Café, St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Kingsbrae Garden, St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Time for another ice cream cone!

A beautiful view of St. Andrew’s Harbour, New Brunswick

A beautiful view of St. Andrew’s Harbour and the Pendlebury Lighthouse

Making a splash in St. Andrew’s By-The-Sea. That lobster looks familiar!

Ahoy, Matey! Eva hesitantly holding the pirate’s hook, St. Andrews By-The-Sea, New Brunswick

What do I look like, me lad? See the hat? The buckles on me shoes? Why, I’m a Leprechaun!

A Marine Wonder of the World: Hopewell Rocks

We arrived in Hopewell Cape, on the Bay of Fundy, this afternoon and checked into our hotel. It’s conveniently located only 1.7 kilometres from the Hopewell Rocks.

The Hopewell Rocks, also called the Flowerpots Rocks, is one of the Marine Wonders of the World and is the site of some of the World’s Highest Tides. These rock formations are caused by tidal erosion in The Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site and they stand 40–70 feet tall.

The Hopewell Rocks is a place to pause…a place to appreciate a remarkable story interwoven through time, tide, and the intricacies of nature. These are the highest tides in the world. And they happen twice a day….every day.

The interpretive staff at the park (called the Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park) are are very friendly and they are located at key areas to answer any questions you may have. In addition to the opportunity to walk on the ocean’s floor, the park features two sandy beach areas at either end of the park and a number of well-marked walking trails.

What visit to New Brunswick could be complete until you’ve witnessed the natural wonder of the Bay of Fundy and learned the fascinating story behind its world-famous tides? The Hopewell Rocks is a magical place for your imagination to play…the only place where you can become a part of that story.

Local Legend Near Percé: Rocher Tête d’indien

On a day trip from Percé, Jelynne, Eva and I discovered the Rocher Tête d’indien, which is located south of the village of Saint-Georges-de-Malbaie, in Pointe-Saint-Pierre.

Rocher Tête d’indien, located in the village of Saint-Georges-de-Malbaie, à Pointe-Saint-Pierre, Québec, Canada.

Legend has it that white men from Europe on a tall ship have one day dropped anchor in a cove located not far from Plate Island facing Pointe-Saint-Pierre. As they went to the shore, to get supplies of fresh water and wild fruits, they saw a young Indian princess busy in the forest entertaining young children. The men from elsewhere captured her and brought her to their distant country.

This sad face, whose gaze is riveted to the cliff, is that of her lover, who is tirelessly awaiting her return, resolved in her grief to turn her back to the sea as long as she does not bring back her beloved.