Ken Bell - Main

The East Coast of Canada - September 2011

My trip started from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The first attraction I went to was The Citadel, the large fortress on top of the hill overlooking the harbor. The present Citadel was built in 1856. It is a sprawling star-shaped fortress that took 28 years to build. After viewing the Citadel my next stop was at the Boardwalk that borders the harbor. From historic Pier 21 to the even older Historic Properties, there are many attractions to see. There is Alexander Keith's Brewery, the HMCS Sackville, Nova Scotia Crystal, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, a dory boat shop, the CSS Acadia (tall ship), and then within the Historic Properties are restaurants like Salty's and the Lower Deck.

     

                The Citadel entrance                         The central block and officer's quarters        Part of the dry ditch around the Citadel

            Alexander Keith's Brewery                         The HMCS Sackville               Entrance to the Historic Properties

Peggy's Cove

Peggy's Cove is an amazing example of East Coast Canadiana! I am sure everyone who has seen it is as thrilled with the place as I was. The harbor is really tiny, yet I imagine you could take a hundred great photos walking around it. The lighthouse is majestic and serene while also looking rugged and lonely. Situated as it is on a vast outcrop of Canadian Shield rock, it truly does exemplify what I found the East Coast to be. I arrived just around 6:00 p.m. then walked around for a couple of hours, soaking in the atmosphere and scenery. I took as many shots of the harbor as I could, walking around the whole perimeter of it. After I was done I made my way back to the lighthouse where the crowds had started to thin. I got down low on the rocks near the water to emphasize the height of the lighthouse. I took shots on all sides of the lighthouse before I noticed it was getting late so I went back around the harbor to see if I could get a room at Peggy's Cove Bed and Breakfast. On the way I stopped at the William deGarthe Museum to photograph the mural he chiseled into the natural rock that is beside the museum. It is a spectacular mural dedicated to fishermen and their wives. Arriving at the Bed and Breakfast I managed to get the last room that they had. It turned out to be on the upper floor, overlooking the harbor, a spectacular view. I enjoyed a great sunset from my balcony.

     

              Peggy's Cove lighthouse                        View of the harbor and fish shacks                   Sunset view from my balcony

                                      The William deGarthe Fishermen's mural outside his art museum

                                  Panorama of Peggy's Cove harbor taken from my bedroom balcony just before sunset

More East Coast

For more on my East Coast trip, please go to the Travel page.