Ride to PEI did not go without a hiccup – Will’s black tank handle broket that meant a stop out of the way to find a RV place. Then we all begin again; as we were flying down the highway some nice guy pulls along side of us waving and honking for us to pull over. We do and so does he, oh oh, something must be really wrong. Turns out our side window which is a push out, pushed out all the way and was flapping in the breeze. So glad he stopped us because we could have lost that window. Back on the road, now Will needs gas – stop at “last gas and eats before Prince Edward Island”, we pull in. I noticed that not one person came out of station empty handed, everyone had beer. So I ask a guy what’s up and he tells me that everything is so expensive on the island that “best to stock up, eh?” So, we do.
The ”Rock” We arrive to PEI via a 8-mile long bridge, the longest continuous span in North America, connecting New Brunswick and PEI. Too bad it was so misty and we could not get a good view. Got to our campsite in Cornwall, a lovely spot right on Baer Cove, and located in the middle of the island. Once settled we soon found out that the island is sectioned into 5 parts: North Coastal, Green Gables Shore, Red Sands Shore, Charlottetown, Points East Coastal everything we want to see is either 70 miles West, East or North. Since we have already driven 140 we opt to drive another 30 and tour the town of Victoria; a very tiny town on the Northumberland Straits, a town to lazily spend the summer. Had the best seafood chowder ever
Next day we decide to grunt out 70 miles heading towards the East Coast only to abort 50-miles when we see a bakery and stop for nourishment. Since the weather is not all that great we head for PEI National Park, Greenwich. But it is still rainy and 40 degrees, not a good time to take a dune walk instead we go to the interpretive center which explains all the good things we are missing.
Learned all about how mussel seeds (baby mussel) are shoved into a sock (nylon meshing) and then strung out into mussel “fields” in the sea. Harvested after a year with an abundance of mature mussels.
Lunch at Clam Diggers for excellent fried clams (of course); then ride down to Charlottetown to go to the Cathedral St. Dunstan for Mass. What a church; very ornate and even had a statue of Mary pregnant! The most impressive was the voice of the woman who sang the songs but MORE impressive was the organist who played the organ that had all these enormous pipes. See video of his foot work. Be sure to have volume on.
Prince Edward Island got hit very hard by Fiona, which by the time it hit PEI the storm was now a cyclone. The eye of the cyclone was the whole width or length, however you want to say it, the entire island was engulfed by the storm. Over 10,000 trees just in the Provincial Parks were lost. Many of the places we want to go to are still closed due to the storm.
Red Sands Shore and Green Gables Shore
Next a suppositively shorter day we head towards the middle section of the island, hoping to walk along the shoreline. But that was not to be as again weather was not in our favor. We head for a rail to trail a little further in and at least get in 3 miles. Oh, the Red Sands Shore is very red and has many dunes, picturesque. I, of course, suggest while in area that we go to the Potato Chip Factory and the Green Gables (after Ann of Green Gables). Both of bust – Chip Factory moved and Green Gables is just a farm house. I should write a book about a poor orphan, who gets adopted and lives happily ever after (boo hoo). This place was jumping with tourist buying up all the Ann of Green stuff you could imagine.
Enough of that head back to camp. Sun is out and we bask in the sun with some adult beverages, it was wonderful.
North Coastal
Last of the long day drives, we head to the North Coastal region. More beautiful beaches and lobster boats and mussels farms. We stop at the Ship Building Museum which is a misnomer as there was no ship building going on, or even demonstrations. Just a museum about all the ships built in PEI. The heyday of the building was in 1865 where 150 ships where built that year.
PEI to Nova Scotia via Ferry Sun is out for the second day in a row and it is a glorious day! We get up early and pack up our belongings and head to Wolf Island Ferry Terminal which is a 75-minute ferry ride to Nova Scotia. We get there in plenty of time, decided to hit one more fishing town, Montague, Murray Head Cape Baer lighthouse. The lighthouse is decommissioned, however, the fisherfolk still like to see the beacon so it is still running. After lunch, we hit the docks while the boats were unloading the lobster catch of the day.
We stopped to talk with one of the boats, nice people Stacey, Brian, and Hunter and I ask how I can get a lobster. Brian jumps into the truck that his haul was in and pulls out 2 one pounders – $12 Canadian for 2! Boys went and had pizza for dinner, Pam and I feasted on the lobsters (I named them Freddy and Franky – good boys, eating that is).
FYI lobster season is only from May-June 26, it has been extended this year till July 6 because of Fiona. Reason for the end of the season is the females molt and become soft while they molt and lay eggs and a not fit for eating. But more on lobster next time.
Bid Adieu to Prince Edward Island, boarded the ferry Confederation, rigs and all, and head for Nova Scotia.
You can click on the square box of the video to make it full screen. Video is showing the boat maneuvering between buoys pulling into dock.
Gutentor Advanced Text
Gutentor Advanced Text
Love the more frequent adventure updates!