Danger and Wonder at Peggy’s Cove Nova Scotia

I decided to forego the curved pathways that snake their way towards the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, and walked the giant granite rocks carved by the ocean over hundreds of years, into smooth gently ambling shapes.

The Atlantic air was fresh and warm, not cold and blustery as would be expected in winter. Stratus clouds shielded the sun giving the ocean its cold gray demeanor, as lightly rolling waves splashed the natural breakwall that lines the shore. The ocean can be treacherous here, and warning signs accommodate the impending doom.

Several links below will take you to news articles of tourists that have lost their lives here or sustained permanent injury. A seemingly dangerous place, but also full of wonder.

A sign on the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove reads, “WARNING. Injury and death have rewarded careless sight seers here. The ocean and rocks are treacherous. Savour the sea from a distance.”

Warning acknowledged, I stepped forward onto the rocks that face the ocean. Not out of defiance, but out of awe. The waves weren’t high and I was at a reasonable distance, remaining on dry, white rocks. It is the “careless” who are “rewarded,” and I calculated the risk, balancing my wellbeing with wanting to experience the wonder of the Atlantic ocean in this area, and the structure that is a symbol of seafaring safety.

The juxtaposition of warning and safety tumbled through my thoughts as I stood looking out at sea, a seagull peering at me from the water’s edge, unafraid, because, well, birds have wings. But so do we.

Warnings, the sense of fear pressed into us, consequences, and harsh possibilities dampen our innate desire to fly, to become our dreams, to experience life and all its wonder. But if we don’t push against the fear, how will we ever know joy?

We can’t throw caution to the wind, but we must step forward into risk if we want to experience the elation of becoming. Being fearless is foolish, and as the sign says, will “reward” you for your foolishness, but fearing less, stepping forth into a calculated risk, will pay dividends. Finding that balance for ourselves is key, isn’t it?

I inhaled deeply, the salty Atlantic air hugging my lungs. Wind tousled my hair and fluttered my dress as I lifted my hands to the sky. The wonders of nature and man’s ingenuity embedded in my memory of this beautiful place. Dangerous perhaps, and also full of wonder. And joy.

---

This is the Journey to Joy series. Write a post, like a gratitude journal about something you’ve experienced on this journey to joy. Ping back or link your post in comments, and I’ll share it in my next Journey to Joy post. Let’s share the joy in this journey!

---

If You Go:

• Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is also known as Peggy’s Point Lighthouse
• Peggy’s Cove is actually the name of the little fishing village on the southern coast of Nova Scotia
• The lighthouse was first constructed in 1868
• It was rebuilt and lit in 1915
• Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in Canada
• You’ll see several people in strange poses around the lighthouse 😂 (see image below)
• It is one of 160 lighthouses in the province of Nova Scotia
• The village of Peggy’s Cove is only an hour from Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia
• Take your camera because aside from the lighthouse area the village offers many beautiful vistas related to maritime life
• More than 700,000 visitors visit the site each year, mostly in the summer months
• There is plenty of parking, a visitors Centre and washrooms on site.
• New viewing decks were built in 2023 and a safety patrol team was put in place. I’m glad I got to experience the place the previous summer without the shields.
• Rogue waves present a danger even on sunny summer days
• It is advised to stay away from black and wet rocks as these are slippery. It has been said that once you are in the ocean in this area, it is impossible to get out due to the large slippery rocks.
• Based on my research, statistics on tourist deaths and accidents aren’t kept
• For the exact location tap this, Google maps link

Links to New Articles on the Dangers and Lives Lost at Peggy’s Cove

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/one-man-dead-brother-in-life-threatening-condition-after-water-rescue-at-peggy-s-cove-1.5858525

‘The sea is ruthless’: Locals reflect on rescue efforts, tragedy at Peggy’s Cove, N.S.

Family marks one-year anniversary of Peggys Cove death, hopes to prevent future tragedies

Death at Peggys Cove
byu/DxvoBrown inhalifax