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Day 10: South Shore

August 15, 2012
PEI2012

This has been the view that Susan and I enjoy as we have our coffee every morning sitting on our balcony.

Looking from the living room to the kitchen.

Today we headed to Chelton Beach just west of the Confederation Bridge. Our first stop was at Victoria-by-the-Sea.

A building used to store traps and buoys.

The beach is at Chelton Beach Provincial Park. It is a day use park. There is an area that is supervised by lifeguards.

The tide was still going out when we arrived. It wasn’t that busy.

The girls walking way out to hit water.

There were lots of hermit crabs, if you look closely, you can see the bigger one has his claw around the smaller ones leg. It was pulling around the small one in the water.

The girls trying to rescue one who was accidentally separated from its shell.

The beach has a good view of the Confederation Bridge.

The water was warmer here than the north shore beaches.

After the beach we stopped at the Gateway Village again, when we came through on Saturday, it was raining. Here are the girls with a statue of Anne.

Posing with Lorenzo the Lobster.

Angela photo bombing my picture of the wooden sailor.

Gillian of Green Gables.

Angela of Green Gables.

and Claudia of Green Gables.

The girls posing with the bridge.

We headed to St Peters Roman Catholic Church to view the bridge. We only made it as far as the parking lot so not sure that it counts as going to church.

St. Peter’s Church.

Day 9: North Shore and Lobster Supper

August 14, 2012
PEI2012
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Today was beach day, the forecast was calling for a mix of sun and cloud with a 40% chance of thunder showers in the afternoon. We headed up to the North Shore and PEI National Park.

On the wharf at Stanhope.

Lobster traps up close to explain to the girls how the lobsters are caught.

On to the beach at Dalvay. It was around 10:30 in the morning and only a few people already there.

Claudia was getting right at it.

The water was a little chilly and took some time to get use to.

As you can see we had to fight to get some space on the beach.

There was a live crab swimming by us in the water.

This beach had lifeguards.

Not much different than when they were at the beach ten years ago.

Claudia and a not so live crab.

Angela and the crab.

The girls sand creation.

After a few hours we decided to head towards Cavendish and hit one of the beaches out there.

Another beach from one of the lookoffs.

After a full day at the beach we headed to St Ann’s for dinner. We were going to the original lobster church supper. It was started in 1963 as a way to raise money to pay off the mortgage on the church. So for the second time this week we headed into church.

The girls were looking forward to having lobster after seeing us eat one a few days ago.

It wasn’t just a lobster, it was a five course meal. We started with a seafood chowder, except Angela, she got the chicken vegetable soup. Then it was time for the Island Blue Mussels. We each got a bowl full. I ate mine, Angela’s and half of Claudia’s.

The supper is served in the basement of the St. Ann’s Church. Here is Gillian showing off one of her huge mussels.

As you can see from Claudia’s, the mussel’s were ginormous.

The mussels were followed by caesar salad, and then the main course, a 1 lb lobster. I thought I might get to eat 5 heads, but they came without the heads. It also came with a choice of potato, vegetables and cole slaw.

Angela waiting to dig in.

You even get the fancy lobster bib.

The girls did pretty good on their lobsters.

Finally it was time for dessert, with a choice of apple pie, lemon meringue, or strawberry shortcake.

It was a great dinner, I still can’t get over how many mussels came with each serving. They serve supper every night except Sunday’s from June to September.

We got back to the cottage in time to see another sunset. It was almost like a sun drop, sunset all in one. I had to wait for the sun to drop below the clouds and then watch it set.

The end to another great day on PEI!

Day 8: Charlottetown

August 13, 2012
PEI2012

Today we headed in to Charlottetown to tour around. The forecast was calling for chance of rain, it turned out to be a slim chance as we ended up with sun for most of the day. Here is the view from Victoria Park.

We walked along the boardwalk in search of the Government House.

Angela sitting on one of the cannons

The cannons were at a display for the Prince Edward Battery. The battery was originally built to protect the town from incoming intruders into Charlottetown Harbour.

We made our way to Government House, the girls posing with the Queen in the guardhouse.

During the summer they give free tours of Government House, the Lieutenant Governor of PEI still lives in the house.

The house was originally built in 1834.

We were waiting for the next tour.

The Fathers of Confederation met at the Government House in September of 1864.

Most of the furniture is original from 1834. This piano is 200 years old and still works.

The formal dining room.

The Queen has stayed here once, Prince Edward, Charles and Di and most recently Will and Kate were guests last year. This chair is in the Royal Suite.

The table where Will and Kate ate their breakfast.

In the bedroom.

The Grand Salon.

The girls out in the garden

There were a lot of bees busy at work.

We figured this was the Lieutenant Governors wheels.

After Government House it was down to the waterfront.

Claudia trying on a lobster hat.

Claudia waiting with me while the others were shopping.

There are still a lot of old buildings in old downtown, this one was used to store confiscated rum during prohibition.

We stopped for lunch at the Water St. Fish & Chips. We started with a plate of steamed mussels. Here is the evidence.

I ordered the 1 piece halibut and chips, it was hanging over the plate and the chips needed a knife they were so big.

It was a good meal.

We went to Church. We stopped in at St Dunstan’s Basilica.

The current church was built in 1919, after two wooden structures and a stone church built in 1896 (that burnt down in 1913).

Inside St Dunstan’s Basilica.

Down the street from St Dunstan’s is Province House. This is the birthplace of Confederation and the seat of PEI’s provincial legislature since 1847.

Some locals walking down Victoria Row.

Looking up Queen Street.

The girls with Sir John A. Macdonald.

After a stop at the grocery store it was back to the cottage, we are about 30 minutes from Charlottetown. The girls were back down to the beach as the tide was coming back in.

Blue skies made for some spectacular scenery.

It was back to beach combing for sea glass, aka “mermaid tears”. There is a Sea Glass Festival in south eastern PEI the 3rd weekend of July. Here is the handful I found in about 30 minutes.

It is a family event to see who can find the biggest piece or the most rare colours (i.e. blue).

Gillian with her handful.

Based on the forecast, this may be our only sunset while we are at the cottage.

For awhile the sea gulls were flying inland, according to some it is an indication that a storm is on its way.

My artistic sunset shot.

There it goes…

The sunset made for some interesting colours on the clouds.

After enjoying a meal out on the deck.

Day 7: Beachcombing

August 12, 2012
PEI2012

Today was a day for relaxing around the cottage. Low tide was around 1:30 pm and the girls were eager to get down to the beach. Here is the access down to the water.

This was from earlier this morning while the tide was still in. The forecast for today was showers.

Looking down to the water.

Around noon the girls headed down to the beach to catch the tide going out.

A look back at our cottage, the “Ocean View”.

The girls on the beach.

Lots of seaweed covered rocks made for slippery rocks.

Claudia found a starfish, here it is with some of the sea glass the girls have been beachcombing.

Claudia with the starfish.

Some PEI sand.

Claudia and Angela with their handfuls of sea glass.

The red rock cliffs.

Claudia found a rock with some stuff attached, Gillian said it looked like a turnip.

The girls found a few more starfish.

Sea sacs.

There were lots of hermit crabs of all sizes.

I found a razor clam shell.

Claudia and Angela caught a crab.

I think it is a Rock Crab (Cancer irroratus).

The weather held out while we were down at the beach.

A hole in the cliff.

Claudia finally on a beach in the water and sand.

Claudia went back for a boogie board we had brought with us.

Angela and Claudia out in the water.

The sun finally came out, there was a nice breeze down at the water but once you got up top it was hot. We headed back for lunch and to watch the last few hours of the Olympics. The rain came by late afternoon.

Day 6: PEI At Last

August 11, 2012
PEI2012

Our week on PEI starts today, we did the drive back to New Brunswick and the Confederation Bridge.

One of the bridges on highway 105 on Cape Breton.

We were getting the rain that went through Toronto, it rained off and on through most of the day.

It was foggy for most of the drive across the bridge. On the PEI side we stopped at the Welcome Centre where they had a smaller version of one of the bridge supports.

Behind the pottery store.

The Confederation Bridge.

The view from our bedroom in the cottage.

Looking out at the Northhumberland Straight.

Day 5: The Cabot Trail

August 10, 2012
PEI2012

Today we were touring the Cabot Trail. We approached the Trail from the east side and went counter-clockwise so we were driving on the outside lane most of the way.

Claudia at the first Lookoff, the first of many we would stop at through the day.

Once we entered into the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, we stopped at the Keltic Lodge to do the Middle Head trail. The map said it was approximately 3.8 km.

Along the trail.

The trail provided some great views.

Coming through a meadow.

The trail ends at a headland.

There were a couple of bald eagles on a rock outcrop.

There were also a lot of seabirds.

The scenery doesn’t get old.

Big sea gulls.

Some kayakers on our way back.

Next stop was Lakies Head.

Looking north.

Angela at Lakies Head.

Susan.

Angela hanging on for dear life.

Gillian climbing back over the top.

Claudia taking her turn.

Nothing like exploring over the rocks.

Around the bend from Lakies Head was Green Cove.

The scenery there was just as spectacular.

The weather held out for most of the day, while we were driving and getting in and out of the car we had overcast or the odd time sun. The only time it rained hard was when we were driving back to the hotel.

Claudia and Angela looking for bugs or sea creatures.

Gillian at Green Cove.

Angela and Claudia running from the waves at Black Brook Beach.

Watching the wave just about to break.

Claudia in her element.

Lunch was in Pleasant Bay at the Rusty Anchor. Susan and I had the lobster.

The girls in front of the restaurant.

Looking down towards the Rusty Anchor where we had lunch.

Looking south from the Veterans Memorial Lookoff.

The last stop of the day was at La Bloc Beach, it was a rock beach with lots of flat stones.

The girls walking the beach.

Final photo of the day at La Bloc Beach.

It was a full day on the Cabot Trail, the guide books say it takes 3-4 hours to drive the trail and you need 1-4 days to experience it. Having spent close to 10 hours, it is easy to see how you could spend a few days.

Day 4: Cape Breton and the Big Fiddle

August 9, 2012
PEI2012

Day 4 continued our road trip from Fredericton to Sydney, NS.

Our first stop of the day was the Nova Scotia Welcome Center on Highway 2.

Angela raising the Nova Scotia flag.

Another good day of weather, after a lunch stop in Truro, it was on to Cape Breton.

Crossing the Canso Causeway from the Nova Scotia peninsula to Cape Breton.

The word “Canso” is believed to be derived from the Mi’kmaq word kamsok, which means “opposite the lofty cliffs.” The swing bridge allows ship traffic to get through and keeps Cape Breton a true island.

It was a scenic drive along the 104 and highway 4 to Sydney.

After dinner we headed down to the waterfront to see the big fiddle. It is located at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.

The girls holding up The Big Céilidh Fiddle.

Next they plucked a few strings.

A close-up of the fiddle and bow.

The girls on the wharf.

Still dancing after a couple of days in the car.

Tonight was the start of the Rock the Dock 2012 festival at the Sydney Marine Terminal Grounds. Among the groups playing tonight were Signal hill, Matt Anderson and Walk off The Earth. Also playing this weekend are the Trews, April Wine, Myles Goodwin and the Privateers.

One last shot of the fiddle at night.

The girls with a memorial to immigrants to Cape Breton.

Looking back over the Cruise Pavilion.

We were able to catch a Cape Breton sunset.

When we got back to the hotel we Skyped with g-ma, g-pa and Chloe.

Our route today was 637km and took us 8 hours with stops. Tomorrow we are driving the Cabot Trail.

Day 3: Entering Atlantic Canada

August 8, 2012
PEI2012

Day 3 took us from Lévis, Quebec to Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Our first stop of the day was at the New Brunswick Visitor Centre on Highway 2. There was no sign that said New Brunswick, but there was a replica of the ship on their licence plates.

We stopped in Grand Falls, NB for lunch at the information centre in town next to the falls. Here is Angela photo bombing Claudia’s picture with the big indian.

The falls weren’t living up to their name, they had most of the water blocked off as they were working on the raised dam. It did provide a good view of the gorge below.

Along highway 2 heading towards Fredericton. Again we had another great day for driving.

After dinner we headed to the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. The bridge consists of 9 spans crossing a distance of 581 metres (1,906 ft) over the Saint John River and was constructed in 1936. The final freight train crossed the bridge in March 1996.

It is a shared bridge, so you have to watch for bikes.

Looking towards the Princess Margaret Bridge.

The girls all standing on different levels and angles.

Looking up at one of the spans.

It was a lot busier than this photos shows.

On the way back we were able to catch the sunset over Fredericton.

Today was a 570 km drive and 7 hours with stops. We also lost an hour with the time zone change. Tomorrow it is off to Sydney, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton island. We’ll be back to explore New Brunswick on the way back.

Day 2: Quebec By Foot

August 7, 2012
PEI2012

Today we were touring old Quebec by foot. We parked the car and took the ferry from Lévis to Quebec. It is a 10 minute ferry ride. Claudia holding our tickets.

The girls up top.

Approaching Quebec City.

Chateau Frontenac.

Walking around the lower town.

Fresque des Québécois on Côte de la Montagne. This mural recounts the story of Québec City, weaving in visual allusions to its unique architecture and fortifications, and its larger-than-life personalities.

We missed the New France Festival by a couple of days, they were removing all of these little stalls that were used the week.

Angela as a mate lot (sailor).

Claudia as a garçon.

Gillian as a L’habitant.

Looking up towards Chateau Frontenac.

We were over there by 9:30 and the crowds were still pretty good.

Angela standing next to a wall that was cut away. While we were standing there, a tour group went through and the guide said it was called a “Chicken ass” because the wall was cut away for the big wheels of buggies long ago. I couldn’t find any reference to it on the internet, maybe something was lost in translation.

A fur store.

The Breakneck Stairs, except for the lone guy sitting there it was empty.

Gillian, Susan and Claudia riding up the Funiculaire. Some form of the funiculaire has been in operation for 133 years.

Angela and I walked up the Breakneck Stairs and then up a road, followed by more stairs. I was taking pictures of Angela as we walked up the stairs.

Almost at the top.

Gillian and Claudia with the Bonhomme.

Looking north.

Angela and Claudia running up a hill.

The Saint Louis Gate into the old city.

The Wolfe Monument in the Plains of Abraham battlefield.

The monument marks the spot where Wolfe died.

Near the Musée National Des Beaux-Arts du Québec.

Angela and Claudia decided they were going to roll down the hill.

The most relaxing view on the Plains of Abraham. We took a nice break from walking under the shade of a tree.

The walls of the Citadel.

There were gaps in the wall that we had to leap over.

Looking back through the Saint Louis Gate.

They were doing some work on the roof of the Chateau Frontenac, the mesh they had up had a picture of the building.

A statue of Samuel de Champlain.

When we headed back down to the Lower Town, the crowds had increased from this morning.

The Place Royale

The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America (1688).

After a long day of exploring Old Quebec, it was back on the ferry to Lévis. Tomorrow we are back on the road to Fredericton, a shorter drive, but we lose an hour when we cross timezones.

Day 1: On the road

August 6, 2012
PEI2012

After an early start to the day we arrived in Lévis, QC this afternoon. The weather was good and we managed to avoid construction until we were about an hour outside of Quebec City.

We made three stops en route, here are the girls after lunch at one of the Quebec rest stops along Highway 20.

Day One complete, 823 km, 9 hours with stops and road construction. Tomorrow we explore the old city.