July 22 we moved from PEI to Wayside Campground near Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Our plan was to stay there a week to explore the area. We loved it so much we stayed 2 weeks ! Wayside is a family owned campground across from a quiet cove. It is not fancy but is a nice place to stay. We were one row off the front so we had a partial view of the cove all the time and a full view when the sites in front of us were open. One of the special things about this camp site was our neighbors, Keith and Barbara who were there for the summer. They had a fire each evening. We joined them to share our days adventures and learn of places they loved in the area.
Sunset on the cove across from campground
The pride and joy of this area is the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse. The road in has a welcome center, fishing boats and there are old buildings turned into shops and places to eat. During our two week stay we went to Peggy's Cove at least 7 times to try to get the perfect picture of the lighthouse and boats. Each time we got different light and fog conditions. It became a challenge to take the perfect picture.
The Trans Canada Trail is the longest recreational trail in the world. You can read more about it at this link . The railroad donated the land. It is up to the local areas to maintain and support the trail. We were very close to the trail so we rode bicycles on 5 different days riding a different section each time. Much of what we rode on was nicknamed the Rum Runner Trail. The views from the trail where you could see Margarets Bay were very nice. Our favorite day was when we road the Salty Marsh and Atlantic View sections. The Salty Marsh is 2.5 miles over the marshy wet lands. The Atlantic View runs along the rocky shoreline.
We did two hikes in the area. Polly's Cove and the Sambro Light Trail. Polly's Cove was a rocky trail to a hidden cove. Sambro Light Trail was along the shoreline overlooking the Sambro Light. Both were good hikes with pretty views.
Sambro Lighthouse
One day we drove the Shoreline Trail from Peggy's Cove to Lunenburg. It winds along Margaret Bay and Mahone Bay. We did some exploring in Mahone which is known for the 3 churches on the bay. Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The houses and shops are maintained in the style and colors they would have been when the town was founded.
Three Churches on Mahone Bay
Looking across the bay at Lunenburg
Halifax is an easy drive from Peggy's Cove. We spent several days in Halifax/Dartmouth. Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia. There was a lot of construction being done all over town, so it is thriving. We walked the boardwalk and explored town. Halifax has a cruise ship terminal so there was plenty for the tourist to do in the area. On our travels one thing we do is visit the local Ikea store which we did in Halifax.
Halifax Harbor
The first Monday is August is Provincial Day in Canada. Each province can choose how they would like to celebrate the holiday. We visited the Citadel on that Monday and got in free in honor of the holiday. We happened to show up just as they were starting a special ceremony "The Presentation of the Colours". They were getting a new specially designed flag to commemorate several events. Everyone was in dress uniforms including kilts for the local volunteer brigade. The pipe and drum corps and many dignitaries were there to celebrate the occasion.
The new Colours
We celebrated my birthday by going out to Grafton Dinner Theatre to see the musical "The Sound of Music By'e". The play was a spoof on the Sound of Music set in modern times and in Nova Scotia. They used the same music but rewrote the lyrics to most of the songs. The actors all had great voices and did an amazing job.
In Nova Scotia we found that is nice to have so many options for eating out as we found that most restaurants offered several vegan options.
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