"The earth is sacred and she is your mother and your grandmother. Every step that is taken on her
should be a prayer." - Black Elk

Such is the feeling, the reverence in which one becomes wrapped after visiting this wondrous expanse of natural land on Nova Scotia's east coast.

One is drawn to celebrate the exceptional features of this, unique, natural garden: thanks be to those who had the foresight to preserve it for the generations that are to come.

Here is a brief look at the history of this unusual area...(for video, see below)

There are few who have not heard of the famous Peggy's Cove light. Ironically, on their way to see it, most pass by one of the most beautiful, one of the most mystical, most entrancing geological wonders in Canada , the Peggy's Cove Preservation Area.

While “Awesome” is a word that is sometimes overworked, even that word does not aptly describe the experience one has when one is alone in the presence of these magnificent ancient boulders, scattered, as if by some giant hand, across the thousand acres of the Peggy's Cove Preservation area.

For we soon sense that these old stones have something to tell us. Something about the earth. Something, perhaps, about ourselves. For there are those who think, you see, that stones have spirits. Maybe they do, maybe not. But the feeling of unexplainable awe you get in their presence is unmistakable...

Their story begins a long time ago...about 10 thousand years, in fact, when a great ice field covered this part of Canada.

It was a huge icefield, stretching for thousands of miles, and it plowed across the land like a giant bulldozer, scraping away everything in its path, picking up boulders that weighted tons and peeling away all traces of life in its path.

And so for thousands of years, there were here no birds, no plants, no sounds, save for howling wind and the lonely bark of the occasional sea animal that that wandered close to the crashing breakers of our frozen, rocky shore.

And then, strangely, slowly, the great glacier began to melt, and as it did, it left huge boulders, scattered randomly across the land, some weighing many tons...many held up in strange ways by the small stones upon which they landed.

And then...with time...the miraculous began to happen as Mother Nature scattered her seeds, and tiny, primitive plants began to take hold in the cracks and crevices of the old rocks..

First, it was the crusty lichens and their relatives, the tough little precursors of life to come, stitching little paths and patterns onto the barren rock….

And then, the first traces of living green appeared, as various mosses and other small plants took hold wherever they could find a crack in the rocks or a scant supply of necessary nutrients.

At length, and with time, various little ecosystems sprung up: unique and beautiful little natural gardens here and there whose purpose was and is to delight, to play their part in the unfolding drama of life, changing with the seasons and bringing meaning and continuity into the lives of those who may pass their way…

And today...today those rocks are still there, alluring, inviting, just as they have been for all these millions of years, standing sentinel over the rocky coast and the little, private beauty spots that dot the magical land around the little village of Peggy 's Cove.

Stunning in their majesty, mysterious in their origins, the Old Stone Sentinels of Peggy's Cove will, with their comforting presence and quiet majesty, bid you stay awhile, and draw sustenance from the constancy of their ancient, mystical presence.

You are welcome to come, relax, and reconnect to the wonder of the natural world. The Peggy's Cove Preservation Area is always open. Always waiting.

Just as it has for millions of years.

CLICK on picture for 5 minute video
produced by Ron MacInnis

Use with permission only. Please contact
ron.macinnis@gmail.com