2016 to 2017 TRAVELS- 1ST STOP- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA

                        

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND or PEI

                                           

With a size comparable to the state of Delaware, PEI, the birthplace of Canada, has an abundance of small farms, country churches, and villages so small you don't realize you are driving through them.  It boasts of COWS Ice Cream (and founder Scott Linkletter, whose famous father was Art), and of course L.M. Montgomery, the author of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES.

The entire island has a population of 140,000 (Scottish, Irish, Acadian and French). The capitol and largest city on PEI is Charlottetown, with 32,000 people and the University of PEI.  The official language is English, but many speak French Canadian.  

CHARLOTTETOWN  

                                            

Located on the southern shoreline, it resembles our southern cities of Charleston or Savannah because of the historic character to the streets, buildings, and waterfront.  The Confederation of Canada was formed in Charlottetown in 1867 due in part to the Civil War.  American aggression and financial security were on the minds of the delegates when they met.  Also England was anxious to have its colony financially independent.

Cafes and galleries line this pedestrian only street.

                                                                                    

Historic homes are open for tours.

Most of the churches are Catholic....

and very ornate.

Low tide in Charlottetown does not hinder huge 
passenger ships  docking on a regular basis.

What to do on a island when your world is so small?

Bike  270 miles of the Confederation Trail which spans PEI.  In our case, 
we biked a fraction of that.

                     Go to a Ceilidh which is a Celtic performance of music and dancing.
                    This was the high energy Ross Family performing is a little town hall.
                                                             What a treat!
                                                           

Hike the National Parks along the shoreline.

Visit country churches...

and more churches.  47% of the population is Catholic, 
but there are a few others sprinkled around.

Go for a swim!  It is the warmest water north of Virginia!!

Visit all 45 beacons of light.

Tidy up your house.  Many of the houses are a variation of this style.  
All are very well kept and the yards are immaculate.

Have a conversation with John MacDonald,
 one of the founding fathers of the Confederation of Canada.

Perhaps it is time to leave the Island.

Before we go, a visit to Green Gables is a must!

The popular village of Cavendish on the northern coast of PEI is where L.M. Montgomery grew up and created the fictionalized  character made famous in her book, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES.  The National Park Service manages the area with a recreated 19th century house.  It was disappointing to learn that this house is not where Montgomery lived.  Her cousins lived here.  Montgomery spent much of her time with this family, but you have to imagine this is where she placed Anne Shirley.  Montgomery's house no longer exists.

This is Green Gables.

 None of the PBS mini series was filmed here. How sad.

A part of you wants the character of Anne to be a real person 
who spent time this bedroom.

We found few libraries, fewer policemen, hundreds of small cottages for summer visitors, a small Amish community, many fishing boats, and lots and lots of wind.  

After several days, it is finally time to pay our toll ($45 Canadian) to drive across the bridge and head for Nova Scotia.