Day 9

	I followed my proposed route as far as Fort Amhurst. I loved the views there so much, I lingered. A trip to the northern part of the island could have made me late for the PEI/NS ferry, so I headed straight for Panmure Island before driving to the ferry. Return to Main Page
	So here it is... the famous Confederation Bridge!
	You can't see most cars cross the bridge (the sides are too high) but you can see the tops of trucks.
	12.9 kilometres makes it the largest bridge "over ice-covered water". So it's not the longest bridge (in my estimation). I wonder what is.
	Had to get a snap of me and the something that is actually larger than me!
	There wasn't a lot of traffic OR wind but there was a bit of construction on the bridge. It didn't take long to get across then I ended up in Borden-Carleton which seems to be a recently added (because of the bridge) tourist shopping haven.
	Pretty though.
	I turned west (left) almost right away and followed the road that would take me to Summerside. It didn't take long before I was in awe of the scenery.
	I didn't even realize that from this spot I'd see a view of the bridge until I'd gotten off my bike.
	Also at this "bend in the road", there was a lovely church...
	... and a farmer's field (comlete with horses that disappeared as soon as I raised my camera).
	I drove on to Summerside Harbour.
	Cozily docked there was a Coast Guard boat.
	Along the docks, a pretty shopping area was built up.
	I loved the pretty colours of the buildings.
	Upon finding a parking space near the shops, I HAD to visit them to see if what was in them was as good as the setting.
	One store was dedicated to selling hammocks. A customer was busy testing this one out.
	The business I got a kick out of was the "PEI Dirt" store. Their clothing was all certified to have been dyed by Prince Edward Island dirt.
	A view from one of the stores on the docks towards the parking lot in which I was parked and another "land based" shopping area.
	After leaving Summerside, I went through Kensington then up towards Cabot Beach Park. Before arriving at the park, I stopped on the roadside to capture this and the next image.
	Lovely!
	Just short of the park entrance was a recreational/boating area.
	There was a lighthouse next to the park's beach. I would imagine it was more for show than actually functional in any way.
	The beach had red sand!! Many people were taking advantage of the lovely day.
	Plants obviously like the iron-rich soil.
	Upon leaving the park, there were other beautiful views...
	... blue water, red soil, green grass...
	As I drove, there was actually a road sign which read something like: "another turn, another great PEI view".
	Instead of following my GPS, I took a road which hugged the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
	That way, I saw a lot of very colourful views of a very pretty province.
	Take away the sea and you could be in a lot of places...
	... for instance...
	... but put this together...
	... with this...
	... and especially this, and you feel sublime.
	This bridge spans the Southwest River towards New London.
	I believe this is at Stanley Bridge.
	A little causeway leading from the middle of that bridge led to a lobster fisherman's shack.
	Another view.
	Still from the same area. That's what was really cool about taking pictures on PEI... don't like the view from this direction? Turn around!!
	Barely up the road from there, a cosy place to call home!
	I soon arrive at Prince Edward Island National Park.
	Lush vegetation covering...
	... large reddish-gold sand dunes...
	... and people taking advantage of the good weather!
	In every direction, another photo opportunity!
	I headed back out to the main road to reach the other part of the National Park. Along the way I came to "Green Gables".
	A lot of work has been put into this fairy tale-type setting.
	You could see many people thoroughly enjoying their surroundings.
	I arrived at the other half of PEI National Park.
	Here the beaches were redder and more rugged.
	The views along the beach road were stunning.
	Look how ABSOLUTELY red the rocks and soil are!
	I took all of these pictures from the same spot.
	The spot might very well be my favourite one on the island.
	Every time I turned and looked, there was something else to take a picture of.
	Across the road from that spot, someone gets to enjoy the view every day. Lucky person!!
	I met a couple from the States who had driven their van to PEI and were picking different areas to cycle (and sightsee) every day.
	A little further up the road, I saw a few unusual boats...
	... and more fabulous views.
	The colours of the buildings suit their surroundings.
	Do you see the rowboat which has been "dry-docked" by the receding tide?
	Another fabulous view.
	One of my favourite pictures for all the colours... the buildings, the rocks and soil, the trees, the vegetation, the flowers, the ocean... WOW!
	I headed back inland towards (but not through) Charlottetown so that I could visit Fort Amhurst. Along the way I saw rolling farmland...
	... beautiful homesteads...
	... and the Canoe Cove School, which according to its sign was established in 1820!
	This inland area was absolutely beautiful.
	It didn't take too long to get to Fort Amhurst. Before entering the Historic Site, I took a picture just past its entrance of the paved road turning into a red gravel/dirt one. Neat!
	From this historic site, you get great views of Charlottetown Harbour. Several people were boating nearby, including this sailboat.
	Across the harbour, in the distance, you can see Charlottetown.
	The sailboat had made its way further into the Harbour.
	Another view of Charlottetown and of PEI's amazing red rocks.
	Dazzling!
	Looking out to sea.
	A little further inland are the remains of the foundations of the old fort.
	The mound you're looking at in the distance is its foundations.
	There were several lighthouses delineating several inland coves.
	You can see how the fort would have had an outstanding view of any ship or boat entering the harbour.
	This monument was dedicated to the Acadian settlers.
	I took a walk down this mowed path...
	... to discover the foundations of the oldest house on Prince Edward Island.
	While down there, I had a different view of the harbour...
	... of this lighthouse...
	... and of more "dry-docked" boats. I guess you have no choice but to use your boat to get right to shore then, when the tide goes out, the boat is stranded on dry land.
	It makes a pretty picture, regardless.
	I walked back up the hill on a different path, towards a different lighthouse.
	Before I left the fort, I read this memorial to Michel Hache Gallant and Anne Cormier. They were the first Acadian family to permanently settle in PEI and their ancestors erected the monument in 1965.
	It was already fairly late in the day so I headed directly for Panmure Island. Pictures of this area have always intrigued me so I had to see this part of the island for myself.
	Perhaps the lightkeeper lives in this house. I do know that the lighthouse is still active.
	In many pictures of Panmure, you see these horses.
	I can see why they are in so many pictures... they are very photogenic!
	A view from the lighthouse grounds of the causeway that leads you to the "Island" which is more like a peninsula.
	After a pleasant visit to Panmure Island, I headed straight for the Wood Islands/Caribou Ferry. I got there with about 10 or 15 minutes to spare but there wasn't enough time to take advantage of the lobster store right by its dock!
	Here we are pulling away from the dock.
	As you leave the dock, you get a great view of the lighthouse which marks the entry to the small harbour.
	A cozy little harbour, don't you think?
	Goodbye Prince Edward Island! I really enjoyed visiting your red shores! Next Day Return to Main Page