Day 6 By nine o'clock we had sat ourselves down for breakfast at our B&B, and by ten thirty, Sharon and I had crossed over the harbour from Dartmouth into Halifax, and headed west along Route 333 towards Peggy's Cove. It was a wise choice, as we discovered, to take the extra time and milage and to follow the coastal routes as much as possible. There is so much more to see that would otherwise be missed when travelling inland, like the various inlets and bays and the out-of-the-way harbours.

Sharon and I never did tire of opportunities to just pull off to the side of a road and take a few moments for meditative thought.

Another such opportunity arrived as we were approaching Peggy's Cove. "What is that vehicle doing sitting there?" "Hmm, not sure." "Maybe there's something to see out there." "Maybe!" So we pulled over into the parking area, which was large enough one more car, to check it out. We located somewhat of a trail through the hedges, so off we went to investigate what was on the other side. Off into the distance, that little white dot below the horizon is the lighthouse on Peggy's Point, in Peggy's Cove.

These huge granite boulders, balanced on slabs of granite, are erratics deposited by the last retreating glaciers. The surrounding vegetation consists primarily of bog moss, which sinks a spongy 8 inches when stepped on.

I would imagine this Lady Slipper orchid thrives in its boggy environment.

Staying on the main trail would have led us down to Polly's Cove, a few hundred metres from the car. But instead of continuing straight on, we veered left, if for no other reason then to see what's on the path less-followed. What we discovered was a view overlooking Polly's Cove, and an abandoned cement foundation.

This foundation was a part of a bigger picture sometime in the past, but there isn't any indication as to what it may have been. Certainly has a wonderful view. Maybe the folks at the information centre in Peggy's Cove have an idea.

Peggy's Cove Back in the mid-1950s, I remember times when I would walk over the Angus L. Macdonald bridge from Dartmouth into Halifax, to meet up with my cousin Claudia, and from there the two of us would hop on a bus and travel to Peggy's Cove.

If memory serves me correctly, all there was at Peggy's Cove back then was a lighthouse on Peggy's Point and a bunch big rocks. No memories of rustic houses, or fishing dories lying abandoned on the shores of the harbour. Nor do I remember large crowds of visitors pouring out from tour busses. And I certainly cannot recall the relentless strong winds or threatening huge waves, that could have carried me off into the ocean. Nope, just a lighthouse and rocks.

On my return to Peggy's Cove this June, fifty-four years since my last visit, I figured not too much has really changed, except for maybe the hordes of tourists that resemble ants crawling all over the granite slabs.

It was extremely difficult finding a view without a single person in sight, and so I was almost on my belly for this shot. The rock textures were interesting, but heads kept popping up in the distance and were beginning to try my patience. With this photograph I literally had a two second window for success.

I am apparently not the only person crouching down out of the wind to make a photograph while Sharon is taking shelter against the lighthouse.

As I set up my camera for this shot, I lowered the tripod legs as close to the ground as possible. I set the timer for 10 seconds, held onto the camera for the count of 3, then hustled to the bench with Sharon and posed. There was a good chance the gusty winds would blow the tripod over so every second counted.

Well, the folks at the information centre knew nothing about the abandoned foundation on Polly's Cove hiking trail that we came across. "What was the name of that trail again?" was the question I got in return. Hmm! So how would one find the answer? Ask the locals I guess, and as soon as these gentlemen finish their pouring, I'll do just that.

"Nothing but the facts please".

Well it just so happens that sometime in the past, a person decided that over-looking Polly's Cove would be a great place to build a house. Only thing is he did not have legal permission to do so, and was in fact trespassing. Consequently, the land authorities ordered him off, leaving behind some unfinished business.

Satisfied with the explanation, Sharon and I moved on in search of other interesting things to photograph. The carving in this granite wall was done in commemoration of the fishing families that had lived in these parts.

Just in case you happen to see any on your travels.

All buildings over 100 years old throughout the Atlantic Provinces, including this craft store, are designated "Heritage Buildings." Although at the time of this posting I am wondering about that porch. There are strict rules regarding any alterations done to a building once the application is accepted for a "Heritage Building" designation.