Showing posts with label Prince Edward Island. Show all posts

Charlottetown, PE to Halifax, NS
Leaving Charlottetown this morning, we finally headed south, if only temporarily. Driving to Wood Islands on the southern coast of Prince Edward Island gave us one last opportunity to appreciate why the island calls itself "Canada's Green Province."
Before boarding the ferry for Nova Scotia, we had one more letterbox to locate on PEI.  Our search took us to Rossignol Winery in the community of Little Sands on the eastern coast of the island.
The pastoral setting could not be more beautiful and today's bluer than blue sky only increased the idyllic appeal.  This was a place that could easily lure visitors to linger longer.  In fact, we were at risk of missing the ferry so reluctant were we to leave.
We stayed long enough to find the letterbox and buy a bottle of one of their signature wines, which are sold only in Canada at present.   We haven't tried the wine but maybe it'll be so delicious it will provide just the excuse we need to return to this special place.

After an uneventful ferry crossing, we disembarked in Nova Scotia and visited the coastal village of Pictou.  In 1773, the Dutch cargo ship Hector arrived in the tiny settlement of Pictou, bringing 179 passengers from the Scottish highlands.
A replica of the Hector

On hearing tales from these first settlers, thousands of Scottish immigrants soon followed to this land of New Scotland.  This wave of Scottish migration would last for decades. As the first port of entry, Pictou became known as the birthplace of New Scotland, a title the town continues to celebrate.
Caladh Avenue, known as Avenue of the Clans, displays large panels on lampposts that depict clan tartans, buckles and mottos.  Stores sell Scottish related items. Businesses carry Scottish names. Everywhere one looks, tartan banners are proudly displayed.  Scottish heritage is clearly a matter of pride in Pictou. 

A local resident we met while walking about town told us that the great great grandfather of his great great grandfather had been a passenger on the Hector.  We were astounded to learn that he had grown up on Pictou Island, a 2 by 4.5 mile island in the Northumberland Strait between Nova Scotia and PEI.  How we would have loved to hear more about that, but he had run out of time to entertain us.
With its rich maritime history and enduring pioneer spirit, Pictou is definitely a town we'll remember.

Daily Stats
Miles driven: 175
Letterboxes: 3
Gas: $3.569/gallon
High temp: 59° F
Clan tartans: 21
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Cavendish, PE and Summerside, PE
Today we ventured into the heart of "Anne Country." As a child, author Lucy Maud Montgomery often  visited her grandparents in the village of Cavendish (pop. 272), and later found work in the community as its postmaster.  Montgomery drew on her impressions and memories of Cavendish in writing her classic book Anne of Green Gables (and several sequels).  This novel, originally published in 1908, has sold more than 50 million copies, building a legion of fans worldwide.

The population of Cavendish swells to 7,500 in the summer as tourists flock to see for themselves the beautiful landscapes and charming village that inspired this beloved work.  A popular theme park with replicas of quaint buildings and guides dressed in period costumes invites visitors to experience places mentioned in the novels.
Even beyond the village, the province promotes its connection to Anne. In the capital of Charlottetown one can shop for the perfect Anne memorabilia (look for the official AOGG licensing seal), enjoy treats from the Anne of Green Gables Chocolate Shop, and enjoy the annual summertime production of the Anne of Green Gables musical.

While in the Cavendish area, we went in search of a few letterboxes, one of which was located on a trail near Cavendish Beach. Road construction kept us from the beach and the box, but we did see a fox. It was like being in the middle of Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham.  "We did not get to the beach for a box, but on the way we found a fox."
The highway worker told us that foxes are not an unusual sight on the island.  Others repeated this when we mentioned seeing the foxes.  Tourists feed the foxes, making them willing to approach any humans.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fox farming-- breeding the animals in captivity for their fur-- became widespread on PEI.  Fox pelts were very fashionable among women during this period.   By 1923, there were 448 fox farms on the island.  At the time, the price of a scarf made of a single pelt ranged from $350 to $1000.  By the late 1930s, changing fashion and the Great Depression caused a rapid decline in the industry.  Yet this history may account for the island's unusually large fox population.

Across the western part of Prince Edward Island, potato fields are freshly plowed and planted.  The red soil of this region seems to be particularly conducive to potatoes, the island's primary cash crop.
Though small in area (about 75% the size of Rhode Island), PEI produces about a third of Canada's annual potato crop.  And you can't forget it while you're here.  There's SPUD radio, the popular "Bud the Spud" song, and even a potato ambassador, Spudley.  Tonight, Dianne found a spudburger (PEI's version of the veggie burger) on the menu of a local pub. 

The red fields contrasting with lush green meadows produce a beautiful landscape.  Tomorrow we will leave this scenic island as we board the ferry to Nova Scotia, where more adventures await.
Daily Stats
Miles driven: 118
Letterboxes:  4
Raindrops:  32,891,456
High temp:  50 ° F
Foxes:  4
Potato fields:  756
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Moncton, NB to Charlottetown, PE
Leaving New Brunswick this morning, we finally spotted a female moose.  As the sign indicated, moose were in the area.  Near Port Elgin, a female moose came loping up to the roadside and paused.
We slowed down to avoid hitting her should she continue across the highway, but the tractor-trailer driver behind us did not.  As we pulled over to the shoulder to try to get a photo of the moose, the truck driver blew past us, honking his horn, and the moose scampered back into the woods.

The Confederation Bridge joins New Brunswick and mainland Canada with Prince Edward Island across the Northumberland Strait.  The eight-mile curved bridge, the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water, was an object of much debate before its construction in the 1990s.
Before the bridge was built, access to PEI was by ferry most of the year and iceboat in the winter.  Farmers, fishermen, tourism operators and residents of Prince Edward Island had sharply contrasting opinions about how year-round access to the mainland would affect their way of life and livelihood.  The question was eventually put to a vote by islanders, and 60 percent wanted the bridge.

At a cost of one billion dollars, Confederation Bridge was built to last for 100 years withstanding the driving winds and crushing ice of the strait and even impacts with passing ships.  Wind barriers were required in the bridge's design because the strait is often buffeted by high winds (including today), sometimes gusting so high that bridge traffic is disrupted.  The toll for the bridge is C$42.50, but you are not required to pay until you leave the island.
On PEI, we had no difficulty tracking down a few lighthouses. This interesting example is Blockhouse Point near the village of Rocky Point.

Walking along the waterfront in Charlottetown this evening, we saw a baker's dozen sailboats engaged in what we can only describe as synchronized sailing.  No doubt, this is not what this activity is called.  However, they were all close together performing the same maneuvers at the same time.
It was fascinating to watch and we're hoping before we leave town we'll be able to find someone who can enlighten us about what was going on.

Today's Stats:
Miles driven:  153
High temp:  54° F
Letterboxes:  0 (1 unsuccessful attempt)
Moose:  1
Foxes seen on a walk:  5
Sailboats:  13
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