Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Day26 - 28 July 16-18 found us on the road to PEI.  It would take three travel days at our preferred pace.  First stop near Bangor, Maine.  We stayed at a park called Shady Rest, "quaint" is probably the word to use, but it was reasonable for an overnight stay.  It was also a good place to go to the grocery store to get a few things before crossing into Canada. 

The next day was from Bangor to St John, New Brunswick.  Customs was no problem. We stayed at Rockwood Park, which is  beautiful park, but we could not take advantage of it because of the fog/rain/drizzle. We did go to the grocery store and stock up on fresh produce which you are not allowed to take across the border.

Travel day 3 was from St John to Cavendish, PEI.  To get over to PEI you have to take an 8 mile long bridge.  There is no charge to go over to the island, but they charge you to get off !  It was $63 Canadian for the car and the RV to get back across! Our next four nights we were at Marco Polo Land RV Park.  PEI is known in Canada as a vacation spot with the best beaches.  The RV parks are set up to entertain families.  What a great park this was for families with children!  It was up a hill and off the road.  The kids could run and ride bikes all over the park.  There were 3 playgrounds, a petting zoo, a basketball court, a fenced in area to play hockey with a ball, an area with exercise type equipment outside, a rec room that offered activities at different times like games, movies, arts and crafts, 3 pools (not heated), a skateboard ramp area, a giant bounce pillow and other stuff I am sure I am forgetting.  They also had a camp store and a small restaurant. It was a great place for families, but not so exciting for active adults.

Day 29 to 31, July 18-21 time in PEI.
The Cavendish area reminded us of a mini Myrtle Beach with rides, gift shops and restaurants. The beaches are all in the Provincial Park.  They are well maintained and the water, even though it is the warmest in Canada, was COLD !  It was 62F! We touched it but would never consider swimming in it. We did walk quite a few of the beaches and found some seaglass. Most of the people we saw at the beach were just enjoying the sand and the sun.  The park also offered very nice multi use trails.  We walked a few and biked one (13.6 mile ride) enjoying the view of the coast.

 The claim to fame of Cavendish and PEI is Lucy Maud Montgomery.  She grew up there and wrote "Anne Of Green Gables" based on her life there.  So everywhere you look you see Anne of Green Gables referenced.  We went to the Anne of Green Gables House and Museum.  We also went to Charlottetown and enjoyed seeing Anne of Green Gables the Musical.  Charlotte Town is the only town of real size on PEI and where most people go to do their shopping.  We did find a nice vegan restaurant for dinner before we saw the play.

PEI is rolling farmland and large well kept homes.  They grow a LOT of potatoes.  The shoreline is rocky and foggy and has lots of lighthouses. PEI  had 63 lighthouses, 37 are still active.  We saw at least 6 while we were there. The most interesting, not because of the light house, but if you walk just beyond the Cape Tryon Lighthouse there is a beautiful steep red cliff that is a rookery for a Cormorants that I will try to identify when we get home and have unlimited fast internet.  They are different than the ones we have at home.

Anne of Green Gables House

View from Cliff at Cape Tryon Lighthouse