Few places hold such a valuable position in my heart as Sandy Cove, NS. In 1783, over 30'000 loyalists escaping the American Revolution embarked on a mass migration from New England north to the British held land of Nova Scotia. Among the group of settlers was my distant ancestor William Saunders who established a farm on land granted by the crown. The family name still lasts in Sandy Cove to this day with second cousins, an uncle and aunt and various other distant relatives maintaining summer homes in the quiet community on the Digby Neck. As a kid, I have fond memories of riding on grandpa's lawnmower, fishing off the pier and enjoying a sunny day on Mount Shubael. The smell of grandma's seafood chowder clings to my senses. |
After an enjoyable visit in Halifax and continued education down the eastern coast of Nova Scotia, I turned inland to cross the remote wilderness near Kejimkujik to arrive on the Digby Neck. Opening the sturdy front door, the smell of the home immediately drew memories of my late grandmother and the relaxing time spent overlooking St. Mary's Bay. This has always been a place of rest and relaxation as I grew older, a respite from work and travel where the quiet environment, rich views and warm community serve to embrace. Each night as I climb the stairs to bed, the faces of my family look down on me from the framed photographs hanging in the stairwell. I've spent roughly two weeks now at Sandy Cove and although I was mostly alone in the house, I never truly felt lonely, surrounded with the collection of family artifacts and feeling of "home" radiating from the walls and furniture. A special and heartfelt thank you to my Uncle Stephen and Aunt Kris for opening this special place to me and understanding how important it is to come up here for the personal connections and opening of a clear mind.
2 Comments
Cheryl Andrews
4/29/2016 10:55:42 pm
Hi Mike,
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5/13/2020 01:20:06 pm
I also am a relative of the Sandy Code Saunders. My great aunt was Sadie (MacKay) Saunders, wife of Chipman Saunders. I visited with her and my grandfather Oscar MacKay (her brother) in Sandy Cove in the 70's. Jim
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Mike SaundersIn May 2014 I quit my job to ride a Honda Ruckus over 69'000 mi and counting. Wild camping most nights and cooking most of my own meals, I keep the costs low and the landscape changing. Archives
April 2018
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