Exploring Habits Hard to Break on P.E.I.

After taking some down time to unwind at our accommodation (Eberlee House) in Murray Harbour on Prince Edward Island it was time to get back to work.

Cape Bear Lighthouse

Normally, once we settle in for the winter, we change our focus from researching to development of our travel network.. www.CanadaEH.net . But the weather has been way too excellent, being hot and sunny, so Bro and I decided that I should continue researching until the weather sours on us… so – that means –  I have set out from base camp to research the east end of P.E.I., Canada.

I find it hard to keep still for any extended period of time anyway so it only made sense. Plus… deep down I wanted to get busy outdoors, getting dirty while researching expanding my mental photo gallery of Canada.  My body said yes while my mind was tugged in many directions on what to do.  Research or computer work.. hmm.. tough one. NOT!

On the eastern side of Prince Edward Island most of the attractions, “points of interest” and destinations are located along the coastline. A sightseeing driving route named the Points East Coastal Drive follows the coastline and connects to many of the small villages, marinas and “points of interest”.

The plan was to follow the route north from Murray Harbour (base camp) to the small community of Cardigan (about 1/4 of the route).  But first a detour egged me on.  From Murray Harbour I set out east..  to check out Beach Point and Cape Bear.  Why?  Well… because Beach Point is a massive sandy beach (wanted to introduce my toes to P.E.I. sand as soon as possible) and Cape Bear is a lighthouse (one of the most eastern points on the island and I have a thing for lighthouses now.  Both did not disappoint.

Poverty Beach

From the lighthouse, after some pictures of moi (main BLOG photo), red rock cliffs and open ocean I doubled back on the Points East Coastal Drive.  On my way back I stopped in at Kings Castle Provincial Park.

To my surprise, in many respects,  the park is a massive children playground with a picnic area and small sandy beach.  In the forest were short paths leading to giant fairy tale figures. The centre court was decorated with unique playground structures, rockets, a wooden fort plus some of the old standbys like slides and swings.

Every now and then my inner-self instructs me to veer off the beaten path to investigate. I am not sure why… but something about the name of the destination, or how it looks on the map or, maybe, it is the whisper in the winds draws me in. Who knows man?

Poverty Beach near Murray Harbour North is such an example. The beach leads out onto a strip of sand on a peninsula. Ocean, sand and marine activity dominate the views at Poverty Beach. It is a good location for private beach walks as it is a lesser known destination.

No one was around on this day except for a group of kayakers having lunch on a rusty pier and a lone sightseer exploring an island of sand. Enjoying a beach in solitude with waves splashing, sunshine blues and wind blowing can be so therapeutic.

Panmure Island Lighthouse

Panmure Island Provincial Park is one of the more popular parks on the eastern side of the island. It is mixed in amongst rolling sand dunes.  The highlight of the park is the long sandy beach which covers the entire east side of the peninsula.  Cars line the side of the road accessing various sections of the beach seeking privacy.

There is so much room it is easy to find your own peace of privacy.  The beach is capped off by red rock cliffs on the north end where there is a lighthouse. It was perched high up on the cliffs, like a king on his throne holding a carrot on a stick attracting me closer. I had no choice but to investigate.

Popping in and out of beaches, small villages and parks takes plenty of time. It does not help that I am easily distracted and often get side tracked exploring.  The days go by so fast.

Before I knew it, I was losing my sunlight, shadows were encroaching on my photos and there was a nip of cold in the air.  I pulled into Cardigan, P.E.I., home to the “World’s Smallest Library”,  and did my research thing and a bit of people watching before I suited up, powered up and headed back to our base camp in Murray Harbour. It was good day exploring on Prince Edward Island.