Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province. West Point is a small community located approximately 130 kilometers north-west of the Island’s capital of Charlottetown. Once the location of several lobster canneries, it still is home to an active fishing port. The local fisherman catch such things as lobster, scallops, rock crab, mackerel, and herring. Availability from this port is seasonal, but there are fish markets in the surrounding area to buy fish year-round.
The local beaches are perfect for lying out in the sun (sunscreen advised), swimming, and scavenging for sea glass and shells. It is important to remember that the grass that grows on the beach, called merram grass, is very sensitive to being walked on. Even though the grass is very salt and drought resistant, it only takes a few people walking through the grass to kill it. Its expansive root system is what keeps the sand dunes in place, and once the grass is killed, the erosion of the dune system is surprizingly swift. That being said, there is a great deal of beach to explore outside of the grassy areas.
If you walk west from the fishing port* along the beach, you will pass the point and approach the West Point Lighthouse Inn and Museum. Or for those who prefer, you can hop in your car and take all your beach stuff with you and park over there. This area, part of Cedar Dunes Provincial Park, is where you will find the lifeguard in the summer months and a boardwalk where you can explore the dunes without damaging them. The park also has interpretive programs, including painting for the children, during this season.
For those who have the equipment, the waters in this area are also great for wind surfing, water craft, canoeing, sea kayaking or any other water sport you might be into. Just be careful of the strong currents that can form directly off the point. Signs are posted to indicate this area and you can ask any local or the lifeguard where this is.
If scenic driving is more your thing, Prince Edward Island is also know as the million-acre farm. The area surrounding West Point has rolling farmland where crops such as potatoes, wheat, barley, and canola are grown. Cattle and other farm animals can be seen in pastureland as you drive around West Prince. Farm tractors and large hay bales are familiar sights. In the nearest incorporated community, the village of O’Leary, you will find the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum, which describes the history and importance of farming to the surrounding area.
The drive from West Point to North Cape gives spectacular views of ancient sandstone capes being eroded away by the wind and tides as well as new technology taking advantage of the shoreline breezes. Beginning in 2001, the Province of Prince Edward Island began developing wind farm technology. Now a source of 20% of the Island’s energy, many of these turbines are located along the coast north of West Point.
For those who love to spend the day on the green, about 30 kilometers from West Point you will find Mill River Golf Course. This course was home to the Golf Channel’s The Big Break Prince Edward Island in 2009.
One last thing that should be mentioned holds for the whole Island and not just West Point and the surrounding area. We are proud of our Island and keep it clean. Part of this is taking part in the Island Waste Watch System. As much as many of us hated it when it was put in place, it is now a source of pride for many, and Prince Edward Island is now a national leader in waste management. So as you travel around the Island, here’s a link to a sorting guide to help you put everything where it belongs: http://www.iwmc.pe.ca/pdfs/2013July-PictureSortingGuide.pdf.
As the spirit moves her, Lynn will write about West Point in the blog section, named West Point Tidewash. Check it out or contribute by commenting.
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*Indicators of going west along the beach are walking away from the rising sun or walking towards the setting sun. If it happens to be noon-ish, night-time, or cloudy, walk from the cottage to the beach and hang a right at the water.