Peggy's Cove

On the outskirts of the village of Peggy's Cove is a memorial to the aircraft, Swissair Flight 111 that caught on fire and crashed just a mere 4 miles off this coast on Sept. 2, 1998.

 It was a fire on board the aircraft that brought it down. The fishermen from Peggy's Cove and Bayswater were the first responders to the crash sight.

In memory of the 229 men, women and children aboard Swissair flight 111 who perished off these shores September 2, 1998.

They have been joined to the sea and the sky,

May they rest in Peace.

In grateful recognition of all those who worked tirelessly to provide assistance in the recovery operations and comfort to the families and their friends during a time of distress.

This was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that I discovered Maritime Canadians had provided aid, assistance and rescue  efforts in times of disaster.

A great example of the Canadian compassion and generosity is found in the recent history of 9/11 when airplanes were immediately grounded.  A number of the planes were forced to land in Moncton, New Brunswick--for days.  2200 passengers were made to disembark  into a coliseum with no idea for how long.  The town came forward and took these people into their homes for the duration.   The same thing happened in Gander, Newfoundland and several other cities.

It is that kind of generosity that gave Peggy's Cove its name.

How the Cove became Peggy's Cove...

As the story goes, early in the town's history a beautiful young girl named Peggy was traveling to Halifax to meet her fiancé when the ship she was in foundered on the rocks.  She was rescued by the local fishermen and soon she fell in love with one of her rescuers.  From then forward whenever visitors came to see her they said they were going to see "Peggy of the Cove." 

 

This was one of the most enchanting towns I have seen to date.  

It looks and feels 'authentic'.

Even the gift shops aren't the usual....

...Not one thing in this shop said, "Made in China" or Bangladesh.

 

The cove itself was very protected from the wind and waves--ideal for fishing boats.

I was told this is the most photographed lighthouse in all of Canada.  I am not sure how anyone could know that...but....

 I sure helped boost the numbers.

I couldn't resist, It was so perfect on that rock.

There is no topsoil in the town, it is built entirely on granite.

Since wells could not be dug the residents built their homes over cisterns and caught rainwater from their roofs.

Collision of crustal plates beneath the ocean floor forced molten material to the surface, which solidified into granite.  The rocks have been here for 350 million years, give or take a few million.  The crustal plates are still moving but no more than one inch per century.

I think it must be a rugged individual to live here and make a living.

But I was told there are families here whose forebears date back into the 1800s.

This home belonged to William E. deGarthe (1907-1983), the renowned sculptor and painter.

William E. DeGarthe emigrated from his native Finland to Canada in 1926.  

In de Grathe's back yard....

This work of art is a lasting memorial to the gallant men of Peggy's Cove.  Nova Scotians who harvest our oceans. The monument depicts, from left to right, Fisherman's family; Peggy of the Cove; Fishermen at work.  

Good Heavens!  This was a 'Honey Do' project!  His wife probably asked Mr deGarthe one day, "Honey, can't you do something with that big rock in the back yard? 

If carving rocks was what Mr. deGarthe liked to do , he had more than enough to choose from.  Please note...those black things on the rocks on fully grown people.

I walked the entire town and visited with every resident I could find.  I wished I could park the RV here for a week, it was so inviting.

Marca, this posting is for you.  Thank you for telling me about this wonderful place.