August 24, 2016

 

Wed the 17^th ,  a ferry travel day.  Uneventful day, weather bad, rain, high seas, 4-5 feet.   Seven hours  by  the time we were unloaded.  Got to RV by 7:30pm, set up in site by 8:00pm.  We will stay here a 2^nd night to get caught up.  Arm of Gold Campground, North Sydney.   Then on to Prince Edward Island.

First in line

Pictou Harbor

Learning curve relative to getting on PEI. Stayed at Pictou to learn.  Landing site of the “New Scottish Settlers”.  Two options, (1) take ferry, (2) drive 120 miles to world’s longest bridge – 8 miles long.  You pay only to get off the Island, free to go on.  We opted for the ferry, but learned they are only running one, the second in dry dock.  So lines get very long.  RV’s get lowest priority.  Talked to attendant and they suggested coming the night before, after 10pm, get in line and sleep in RV.  Well, we have to sleep anyway, so we did.  Packed up 11pm and arrived first in line.  No problem, quiet night.  Made the 8am ferry with no problem.  Ferry not as “lush” as the one between Newfoundland, but more then adequate.  75 min ride to the island.

PEI is the smallest Canadian Provence, but probably the most tourist attracted. It is also the birth place of Canada, the founding fathers Confederation. Three distinct areas, Eastern Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive, and the North Cape Coastal Drive.  

PEI Country side

 We landed in the East, Wood Island Terminal. Soil here is very red, and they are known worldwide for their potatoes.  We immediately drove to Charlottetown, the Central and the capital of PEI.  A beautiful city with a combination of old and new.  We walked the downtown area and the harbor boardwalk.  Market day downtown, so lots of activity.  Lunch time, so inquired about a local favorite.  Went to “Brickhouse”,

Brickhouse Burger

winner of the city’s annual burger cook off contest.  Well, we couldn’t resist.  Please do not share this with my cardiologists.  (see pic)  It was Awesome!  We shared.  Back to RV for a three day stay to explore the island.  Lots to do!

Blue Mussel Cafe

A fun day touring the north part of the central coast.  Went to a lovely community, North Rustico Harbour.  Had lunch at a seaside café,  Blue Mussel Café.  Shari had a lobster roll and Bob a fresh cut pan fried Halibut. 

Halibut

Both wonderful.  On the way,  stopped at a local Price Edward Island Preserve Company.  Lots of samples of preserves, and a beautiful Garden of Hope along the water.  Finished the day with the famous “Anne of Green Gables”, the Anne &  Gilbert Musical at The Guild.  Yes, Bob got “cultured”.  It was a great fun evening.

Sand Dunes Brackley Beach

Tuesday we went to a Provincial Park, Brackley  Beach Point.  Very large park, biking, hiking, swimming, and camping.  Very nice resort in park, high rent, $800/night Dalvay Resort.  

PEI High Rent Resort

Then we had dinner with a PEI Couple that invited us to their home.  Shari met her at a truck stop and they connected and exchanged cards, so we contacted them when we got here.  Wonderful  people.  They winter in Florida, so hopefully we can reciprocate.  They run a trucking business in PEI, haul for Molson Beers.  Next we head for Nova Scotia again, Halifax this time.