Red Sand
After leaving Moncton, we headed for the Confederation Bridge and the red sands of PEI. The bridge was an experience. There was no wind and the trip across was scenic but uneventful. As we drew closer to land, you could see the red sand beaches.
We had booked 4 nights at Crystal Beach RV Park just outside of Summerside and was right on the ocean. Driving down the country roads sure brought back memories to Don. On the way to New Ananan, He recognized all the old haunts and his relative’s farms and houses in Traveller’s Rest wondering if any of the old family was still there.
The first full day we spent exploring the island, going to different spots that held memories for Don. Lots of fields of potatoes and turnips.
I spotted a fox sitting in front of a brush pile in a field watching something very intently. Probably breakfast. We stopped on the road and Don honked the horn to get him to look at us so I could get a good picture.
Of course we had to visit Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthplace. Across the street was the most beautiful heritage house nicely renovated and for sale. Tempting…but. We then went on to where she grew up at her grandparent’s home. We were surprised that her great, great (maybe two more greats) granddaughter giving an introduction about Lucy’s life there. Her parents, in their 80’s were still taking care of all of the gardening and had dug out the cellar of the house Lucy lived in. The house wasn’t there any longer, having dissolved into the earth over time. Each of the favourite spots had quotes from Lucy. We walked the path through the Haunted Woods along to Green Gables which is restored to the time period. Then we took a stoll to Lovers Lane and through more woods.
I guess I am a bad Canadian because Lucy Maud’s books were never on my library list but after reading the quotes and seeing what an effect just living where she did had on her and her connection with nature, I will have to finally read Anne of Green Gables and the other three books.
We took a break from sight seeing to visit Don’s uncles and aunts. The old houses are still there with some modern upgrades. The wood cook stoves had all been dragged out to the “back 40”. What a shame. I am sure that they were beautiful old stoves too. I have never seen more ornamental shapes of wood stoves than on PEI.
PEI is one of my favourite places that I have visited. The people are all friendly and they all support local crafts people. It is so refreshing to go into craft shops and be told that EVERYTHING in the store was made on PEI. And there is a real assortment of crafts and art.
Don was trying to convince me that we should buy property on PEI. I cruised the real estate website and discovered a heritage house near Bedque that Lucy Maud had boarded in while she taught school. Had to search it out. The old school house is still there across the road. The heritage house looked like it was in pretty good shape (from the road, at least) but it was surrounded on each side by large potato farms and buildings. A tiny oasis in a big potato field.
Don’s Aunt Mary gave me the correct information about the winter. 🙂 One day this past winter, she opened the door in the morning to let the dog out only to find that the snow was up to the roof. It took several hours for her son to come over and dig them out. Hmmm. Maybe summer cottage but I am not sure about winter. Don’s solution was to turn one of the upstairs bedroom into a snowmobile garage with a ramp out the window so you could get out. Creative, yes but really?
Aunt Mary said that in the winter the whole family lived in two rooms in the house. The upstairs was closed off and the room off the kitchen was turned into a bedroom where the whole family stayed for the winter. She said they would be so happy when spring came. I can only imagine! Those old houses had little or no insulation and most of them, unless they have been completely renovated, still have little or no insulation.
I tested out the PEI medical system and went to the Summerside Hospital to get my cast off. I had to go to emergency. They have a TV scrolling the wait times for emergency, urgent, not so urgent cases. It also tells you how many patients are being seen by the doctors. Of course I fell into the not so urgent category but I only had an hour and a half wait to get the x-rays and then get the cast cut off. I think knowing what is going on helps keep the people waiting calmer. You certainly understand that if an emergency case comes in that you will get bumped down the line. The only bad news was that I am facing another 3 or 4 months of healing. My wrist looks weird and feels weirder.
I liked Summerside but when we went to Charlottetown, I have to say that it didn’t appeal to me that much. It was kind of run down and sad looking. The churches are all really quite magnificent and there are a lot of them. The center of PEI is quite hilly and there are a lot of trees which kind of surprised me, given that people burned so much wood just to stay warm.
Don got his lobster rolls which made him happy. I got to eat lots of french fries. They are cooked separately from the fish/seafood which is good because otherwise I would not have been able to eat anything.
We were so lucky at Crystal Beach. The people next to us were from Fort McMurray and were a band practicing for a gig on the weekend. We got to listen to all the old time country songs for two days and join them around the campfire. Bruce and Judy – Bruce originally from 100 Mile House and Judy originally from Newfoundland and Jim and Norma – Jim originally from Hines Creek and Norma originally from Ontario. They played until their fingers were almost bleeding.
Santa had to go into hiding because the RV park had a Christmas in July on one evening. We couldn’t participate because there was another Santa in residence. Luckily none of the kids were staying close by us.
Pics to come with speedier wifi.
