Wednesday, July 31, 2013

North Cape, PEI


During the organization part of this trip we decided to spend a week at the other end of PEI also known as the western end. The first town we explored was O’Leary which is home of the Canadian Potato Museum. Of course it is where else would it be we are in PEI.
Potato Museum
Beautiful wall murals adorn the side of the building depicting potato farming.
 
Rarely today you pay $2 for a 10 lbs. bag of potatoes. Here in PEI new potatoes cost $5 for 5lbs.

As we walked around this little town we found numerous buildings that had somewhat of a historical meaning for this place.
Old Schoolhouse
This little one room schoolhouse was built around 1900 and continued in use until 1972. It housed students from grade one to ten.
I remember my first desk was just like this
I remember spending time in the corner
In 1928 the O’Leary telephone office was built connecting many customers on a hand crank party line. It operated until 1968 when the dial system came into effect.
Telephone Office
This church was constructed in 1879 and served three different faiths Christian, Methodist, and Roman Catholic. The last service was held in 1990.
As we moved up the coast I wanted to investigate the West Point Lighthouse Inn. The actual lighthouse was built in 1875 with a total height of 67 feet. It is currently the tallest lighthouse on the island. In 1984 the lighthouse became a museum and country inn.
West Point Lighthouse Inn
Along the coast there is always seeable evidence of erosion.
This rock caught my eye
The furthest west you can drive is North Cape. Here we found a nice restaurant where we had a nice bowl of seafood chowder. Susan also had the fish and chips. Both were very good.
North Cape Restaurant/Museum/Gift Shop/Information Place
As we looked over the cliffs we saw horses and men at work. They were harvesting Irish moss from the sea. It’s used in the making of soaps and body lotions. Didn’t smell very good to me.
Patiently waiting
The horses waded into the water dragging out the Irish moss in the basket. It would then be loaded up on a truck and dried for several days.
Doing the same thing by hand
North Cape Lighthouse
Before we left I thought I would leave a sign that we were here.
 
 
 
 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Points East PEI Part2



As we continue our adventures around PEI we found the people to friendlier and friendlier. They wave as you drive by not knowing who you are but knowing your there to help support their economy. No one is in a hurry here. They go about their business as it’s just another day down home. Everyone is willing to help when you ask for directions or give you that tidbit of information about the place they call home.
Again on a quest to find a lighthouse we asked a very nice gentleman for directions. After receiving the necessary information he goes to say if you reach such and such a road you have gone too far. Well thank-you who ever gave us those directions because we did go too far. In PEI some things are extremely well marked lighthouses are not so. When we arrived we not only found a lighthouse but another beautiful beach.
Beautiful sand dunes & beach
Looking over the dunes
Decommissioned lighthouse
Continuing on into St Peters we had to check out this church that sat on top of a hill you could see from miles away.
This church stood out on top of a hill 
Throughout our adventures we have seen so many little fishing villages, harbours, and marinas. This one stands out not for the boats and scenery but for its bridge. First here’s the marina.
Lots of lobster boats
Now here’s the bridge. What do you think? Would you drive over it?
Wow what a scary bridge
I did and I must say Susan was not excited (nor happy). We had no idea if anyone was coming from the other way. I chalked it up as another adventure. Susan not so much. Now you know who the real adventurous one is.

As we continued our drive along the country roads another church caught our eye.
Margaret's of Scotland Roman Catholic Church
The inscription outside the church read: Built - 1816; Burned - 1921;
Rebuilt - 1926

One adventure we truly enjoy partaking in is trying the local alcoholic beverages produced from local distilleries. Coming across Prince Edward Distillery in Hermanville was an accident. And if you believe that I have land in the Arctic you can buy.
Where it all happens
We decide to take the tour of the distillery given by a very nice and energetic young man named Harrison. The tour cost $10 each and included two sample tastings of your choice at the end.

The distillery is owned and operated by Master distillers Julie Shore and Arla Johnson. The steps involved and knowledge needed to make alcohol sounds like you require a PHD. Not so Julie tells me but lots of friendly resources and some brew master, yeast, and science courses. To make potato vodka which is a true vodka it takes 18 lbs. of potatoes to make one bottle of vodka.

Potato arrive in these large crates
First step is the masher
Potatoes are cooked
Heat is removed



Holds the potato mash allowing fermentation

A whole lot of distilling going in these babies
The end product
Now for the sampling. We tried the Potato & Wild Blueberry Vodkas, the Gin, and lastly the Apple Brandy. They all had very distinctive tastes. We couldn’t decide which to buy so we had lunch. Plus we were both a little tipsy.
Atlantic salmon & Magdelan cheese
After our purchase of Potato Vodka, Harrison suggested to go across the road to Julie & Arla’s Inn to see the amazing view. We did and were we in awe. The view was spectacular.
Johnson's Inn
Spectacular view
Red cliffs, blue water, green grass can't get any better
East Point Lighthouse is situated on the furthest eastern end of PEI. This wooden tower was built in 1867 and stands 64 feet.
East Point Lighthouse
The last place of the day was Basin Head. Now there claim to fame is to have the best beach in Canada. Well those are mighty big shoes to fill since Susan and I had a place in Sauble Beach, Ontario for many years. We had to check it out.
Basin Head
In my opinion and this is just my opinion, it’s not even close to Sauble Beach. 
 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Points East PEI, Part 1


After a 5 hour ferry ride we are back on land. Well it might still be an island but it’s bigger. Leaving the ferry behind we headed south to Brudenell River Provincial Park. It only took us 45 minutes. Very nice campground, lots of trees and water and tons of mosquitoes.
Entrance to Brudenell River Provincial Park
Our campsite had plenty of space with lots of trees making it very private. It included water, electric (50 amp), sewers, cable, and even telephone connections. The site was badly sloped but we had no trouble leveling with the 5th wheel. Of course the ground is red clay and when it rained what a mess.
Our site #24
 
Nice heated pool
Horses available for trail riding
Beautiful walking trails along beach
Our first trip out of the campground found us in the historic town of Georgetown. The buildings reflect the area’s history with at least one third being 75 years or older. A focal point of Georgetown is the Cenotaph AA Memorial Gardens.
Beautiful Gardens
Largest steering wheel I've ever seen
A parade was starting at 11 to commemorate Georgetown Days hence the reason for the mounted police.
RCMP
This church was the first in Georgetown, erected in 1839 when it was still a mission.
The church was in need of lots of TLC
The court house was built in 1887 using the Island sandstone giving it a reddish colour. The contrasting gray stone was brought over from Nova Scotia. Originally the building was to face the opposite direction but the builder got the plans reversed.
Courthouse
The Macdonald House was built in 1835. All the lumber was imported from Great Britain. It was once a bank with the original bank doors still inside the building.
Macdonald House circa 1835
In 1732 Jean Pierre Roma established a settlement and trading post enhancing the French presence on Prince Edward Island (Ile Saint Jean). The site is called Roma at Three Rivers in Brudenell. Roma’s main interest was to trade goods especially cod with New France, the West Indies, and France. After 13 years and many hardships the venture ended in 1745 when troops from New England destroyed the settlement after capturing Louisbourg. Today there is no real evidence of the settlement except for a few cellar holes and artifacts. From 1968 to 1970 an archaeological dig took place uncovering some of Roma’s structures. Unfortunately due to lack of government funding the project was abandoned and covered.
Replica of Roma's fortress
Replica of the herb & flower gardens Roma would have had
Bread Oven still used today
Bread cooling rack
The day would not be complete without uncovering a few lighthouses.
Panmure Head Lighthouse
As I have said to Susan numerous times you never know what you will find when seeking out lighthouses. Point in case when we were looking for Murray Harbour Lighthouse.
Murray Harbour Lighthouse
The area is called Beach Point and is mostly used by the locals. The tide was out making it very safe for young kids.
The beach was miles long
Red sandy beach with red rocky cliffs