PEI Trip Day 2: North Cape Coastal Drive

When I was researching Prince Edward Island I kept coming across people discussing the North Cape Coastal Drive which goes all the way around the western part of the island. You travel along it all the way to the northern tip called North Cape where you will find the Atlantic Wind Test Site and North Cape Interpretive Centre. Our trip was all about gently exploring the island by car so this is where I wanted to begin. Thankfully the drive begins in Summerside which is where we were staying.

As we drove along it past the last of the suburbs we noticed stars on just about every single house. They signify the home's Acadian roots. I was hoping it had to do with magic but nope! Still, I loved seeing stars on people's houses.



You can tell tourism is a huge element of PEI and do they ever do it well. On each drive you will find at least one information booth where you can freshen up as well as pick up brochures and even free maps. I tried to find a map I could buy before going on the drive and could only find free basic maps at the gas station. You will find a ton of information at these buildings and it is all free and the people are very helpful. The signage along this windy trail is also fantastic, continuously assuring you that you are on the right path.



Our first stop that we came across quite quickly was West Point Lighthouse. They have added on an inn so you can actually stay there. I would seriously consider doing it next visit just so I could stay in a place so close to the ocean.



I will never get used to that red sand that makes the ocean water rusty brown! It was beautiful and we could not have asked for better weather that day.



We walked along a raised walkway/boardwalk which protects the fragile sand dunes which are amazing! Behind my husband's right shoulder you can get a glimpse of the hotel added on to the lighthouse.



We started on the southern part of the circular route going north and you will see lots and lots of farmland. This part of the island is incredibly flat and most of the houses are far away from the eroding shore but here we actually did glimpse a house by the water. This is not a scenic ocean drive though, you are not driving right along the coast. Most of the roads are set back pretty far away from the ocean, I had to use my 10x zoom lens to get this shot from the car. Still, it is a gorgeous drive!



This is a very typical scene on the North Cape Coastal Drive, an old farm house with lots of sky. The only thing unusual about this photograph is the state of the lawn. One thing we noticed about PEI is people are vigilant when it comes to lawn care. It seems that every property other than this one is incredibly pristine and perfectly manicured.

If you do this drive, make sure you have a full tank of gas and some food. There are no real rest stops for those kind of amenities along this drive (and many others) so fill up, pack a lunch and head out and you will be fine. 

Modern windmills are everywhere on the western part of Prince Edward Island. You can even see them in Summerside and we came across this windfarm along the North Cape Coastal Drive. It was astounding. We even stopped the car and just listened to the powerful turbines dance in the wind. I know windmills are controversial, some people abhor them, but I find them fascinating. I would prefer to live near one these if forced to choose between them and old smoke stacks.



We really wanted to accomplish the "tip-to-tip tour" of PEI so we went to the gift shop and picked up our ribbons, proving we had made it to North Cape. All we had to do now was drive to East Point Lighthouse and get our certificate. Not on the same day though! That would be too much.



What you are seeing in this photograph is one of the arms of the wind turbine at the Atlantic Wind Test Site which is HUGE! See how it dwarfs the lighthouse at the North Cape Interpretation Centre? There are dozens and dozens of windmills here, probably because it is such a dark and windy place. If you are interested in seeing more of this area, make sure to check out my foodie blog for a review of the Wind & Reef Seafood Restaurant.

Technically that is just half the trip that day but it was the most interesting part of the drive. We drove along the northern part of the route southeast back towards Summerside. We had a dinner reservation for the island chocolate festival dinner and we wanted to get back to the inn to get dressed and for me, maybe lie down. That was one heck of a drive!