North Cape

The North Cape of Prince Edward Island is home to a lighthouse, eroding red cliffs, the longest natural rock reef in North America, a nature trail, and wind turbines:

The birds on the rock reef above are Eider ducks.

The North Cape Interpretive Centre was closed "until further notice" and without explanation, but we enjoyed a hike today on the Black Marsh Nature Trail. The trail goes along the tops of the cliffs, through scrub woodlands, and among wind turbines on its way to the Black Marsh. Most of the photos above are from this trail. Also from the trail:

Two interesting features in the photo above: the remains of Elephant Rock sticking up out of the ocean, and dead tree roots sticking out of the eroding bank.

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada is located on the North Cape. In addition to WEICan's research and development facilities, there are two wind farms on the North Cape. The North Cape Wind Farm consists of 16 Vestas V-47 turbines installed in 2001 and 2003. These turbines are mounted on 50 meter towers, with 23 meter blades, and a rated output of 660 kilowatts each. The selfie photo above is under one of the V-47 turbines. The Norway Wind Park consists of nine Vestas V-90 turbines installed in 2007. These turbines are mounted on 80 meter towers, with 45 meter blades, and a rated output of 3 megawatts each. Click here for more information about wind energy in PEI.

Our travels to and from the North Cape took us on the North Cape Coastal Drive. The signs along the road referred to this area of Prince Edward Island as the "Canadian Oyster Coast." We stayed at Mill River Resort, which was in the midst of major renovations. Before leaving northwestern PEI, we visited the Canadian Potato Museum.