The North Cape

We had a short drive, 30 km along coastal Rte 12 to the tip of the North Cape where the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretative Centre is located. The Wind Farm has 16 turbines which provide  approximately 25% of the province's energy. The location on the cape is ideal with  a 300º exposure to the coast..The North Cape Lighthouse is an octagonal tower 62 ft tall built in 1865. It has been moved several times due to erosion. The Cape also has the longest natural rock reef in North America, approximately 2 km.

The highlight for us was the Black Marsh Nature Trail, a 5.5 km trail , much of it a boardwalk that passes through forest, a bog  and along the ridge of the cliffs. There are 25 interpretive panels that detail the ecology, unique plants and wildlife as well as other points of interest. It took us two hours to complete the trail as we stopped to read the panels and take pictures. It was very informative and the scenery along the cliffs was stunning. 

the end

We ate lunch before making the turn to continue south on Rte 14 along the west

coast of the Cape to Cedar Dunes Provincial Park overlooking the Northumberland  Strait. The campground was under a "Do not drink water order" due to the elevated levels of manganese.

The park is very near the West Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1875. It added a museum in 1984. It is the island's tallest lighthouse, 67 ft 8 in. 

It was another hot day, 30º, "felt like" 35º but tolerable in the park with winds off the Strait. We drove 103 km.