From New Brunswick we find ourselves on the 8-mile long Confederation Bridge and are transported into the magical land which is famous as the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Long and narrow, Prince Edward Island is encompassed by waters from the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the north and the Northumberland Strait on the south. One hundred and forty miles from tip to tip and between 5 and 40 miles distance in widths, it’s no small piece of rock. After exiting the bridge we have a twisty road with gentle ups and downs for a 40 minute drive across the island to arrive at Cymbria Campground. What we encounter at the campground is an expanse of property, lush with freshly mowed grass, trees and foliage, green as green can be with very few other campers. I awake every morning to a variety of springtime birdsong and the sound of wind waves breaking on the shoreline just a quarter mile distant. High season on ‘The Island’ is July and August. I don’t mind these off-season cooler temps, gray-ish skies, and occasional thunderstorms in exchange for fewer folks. And there was plenty of sunshine as well.
The original inhabitants of Prince Edward Island were ancestors of the Mi’Kmaq. Today Lennox Island which is connected to PEI by bridge is home to Lennox Island Mi’Kmaq First Nation.
Official Provincial Flag of Prince Edward Island.
The large oak tree on the right was originally intended to represent England, while the three saplings stand for the three counties into which the province has been divided since 1767.
Ha! Our original plan for four nights on PEI won’t be nearly enough time to relax and take advantage of local events, museums and scenic drives. We soon extend our stay to eight nights and ultimately to thirteen.
With a tourist map of the island and an eye for local events, Marilyn identifies an eclectic itinerary for us, starting with a rainy day activity – rubbing elbows with the locals at the Kiwanas Bingo Hall.
A focused yet friendly atmosphere winnings at this Bingo game are shared with all winners .
Churches on Prince Edward Island are numerous. Some of them date back into the early 1800’s, possibly earlier. Many of them have adjacent well-cared for cemeteries ranging from a smattering of headstones to hundreds of buried islanders. Some of these beautiful churches have been ‘re-purposed’ and now welcome folks thru their doors for music or theatre events, dining, coffee shops and bakeries. These gathering places highlight the beautiful architecture, stain-glassed windows, and hold a feeling of reverence for history and lives from the past. Family roots grow deep here. Older folks we’ve chatted with have lived here their whole lives. Some have, incredulously, never left the island.
After a day of Lulu chores in PEI’s capital of Charlottetown (pop. 40,000) we head to the racetrack to watch, and bet on harness/chariot races. By the way, there are just two cities on PEI: Charlottetown and Summer side.
Out for a walk with Piper the dog we wander over towards the stables. A man catches our eye, calls out would we like to come over and no, the dog isn’t a bother. We find ourselves in the stables with Kerry, a retired engineer turned horse breeder introducing us to his family, his ‘drivers’, and his horses and learning about PEI’s racing community.
Betting was a kick. Marilyn’s and my horses were neck and neck with her horse winning by a nose. She more than doubled her investment winning a whopping $13.60! I walked away with a .40 cent profit. Both of us walked away winners.
Fields upon fields upon fields of rich, reddish-brown soil ready to plant potatoes for which Prince Edward Island is know throughout Canada. In places, the sea water is also red and rich with oxidized iron.
Atlantic Canada is seafood heaven! PEI is known for their lobster, oysters and mussels, tuna, cod, Atlantic Mackerel. And on the island’s rivers are Brook Trout, White Perch, Rainbow Trout and Atlantic Salmon. On the Dock cafe served up local mussels rivaling Penn Cove mussels in the Pacific Northwest.
Wood for home heating is piled in huge mounds rather than neatly stacked. This pile is exceptional.
The Confederation Trail, built on a decommissioned railway line, is foot/bicycle and occasional equestrian trail which runs 170 miles in length from Tignish to Elmira, the length of the Island.
Prince Edward Island is one of the global leaders in the development of wind energy with research and development located at the Wind Energy Institute of Canada at the far west end of the Island.
Roadside stands provide fresh from the farm produce as do many of the small stores throughout the countryside.
The Island is beautiful. The people are welcoming. The culture is rich and historic.
One could spend much more time on Prince Edward Island.
Looks like a great place! Going to a bingo game and the horse races. Fun! Good way to get the feel of local life. Thanks for the commentary.