My plan was to explore the Wood Islands region of Prince Edward Island all the way up to Charlottetown. The route would complete my tour of the East Point Coastal Drive. From the map the route looked scenic, mostly waterfront. In reality the route was mostly farm land with side roads leading out to waterfront lighthouses and parks.
Wood Islands is the home to the Northumberland Ferry. The ferry connects Prince Edward Island with Nova Scotia. Most people hear of the ferry by necessity of travel so many arrive at the terminal with little time for exploring. This is a shame because THERE IS something else to do and see at Wood Islands.
When traveling on the ferry I would suggest to plan some extra time to wander around because right next to the ferry terminal is a scenic provincial park with a playground, picnic area and a lighthouse. The Wood Islands Provincial Park and Lighthouse are the most southern point on Prince Edward Island. You can watch the ferry come in. You can visit inside the lighthouse. You can have a picnic. The kids can play while behind you are post card views of the ocean and horizon merging.
Wood Islands Lighthouse
I arrived in Wood Islands Park around noon. It felt like 40 degrees out. It was so blistering hot. I loved it.. and can appreciate it before the winter comes. The hot. sauna like conditions have been around for a week now.
But it was all coming to an end as Hurricane Earl was on its way and the weather was about to turn wet and windy. I thought about this as I sat on the swing set playing tourist .- my first hurricane – it will be another new experience (Main BLOG Photo).
The Wood Islands region along the southcoast of the East Point Coastal Drive led me to many sightseeing destinations. Along the route I stopped in at the Nothumberland Provincial Park, Pinette Park, Point Prim Lighthouse and many small villages.
I enjoyed my thoughts and walk along the red sand beaches of the Northumberland Park. I felt like an astronaut walking on the red planet Mars. However… there were no green aliens nor humans to be found. I was alone. It was just me, the wind, the waves and some crazy, wild thoughts as usual.
Pinette Park was a different story. Here the grass was uncut and the picnic tables worn from neglect. It seemed like the “forgotten park” by the maintenance workers but not by nature. Although human count was low the mosquito count was through the roof. As soon as I stepped out of the jeep they attacked with a vengeance. I guess it must of been the first time they saw blood in a long time. My time in Pinette Park was short and painful.
Point Prim Lighthouse
The Point Prim Lighthouse was located at the end of a 10 kilometre road. The lighthouse was currently getting some work done to it. Machines were squealing as gears turned. Walkie talkies squeaked out instructions. It was a construction site by all means of the word.
Yet.. that did not seem to matter as there were more people at this lighthouse than any of my previous stops. Some even enjoying a picnic? Why was this lighthouse more popular than others? Why so many people? Shaking my head. So many questions and so little answers into the whys of human nature.
Off to Charlottetown I go.. the home of Confederation.