Prince Edward Island

Our first venture to the Canadian Maritimes, a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, have quickly taught us that a return visit is needed. PEI is a wonderful collection of French, English and Scottish influences.

There is a great collection of small towns, rolling countryside and farms. It would seem, to the casual visitor that every crossroads offers a wonderful white painted church with the tall steeple. There are some more elaborate church buildings including that wonderful Our Lady of Mont-Carmel built of stone on the cliff overlooking the Atlantic during the early 1900’s.

Along the way we were told of a series of small building that were built with glass bottles; beer bottles, wine, whiskey – all colors, shapes and sizes. Sure enough, there they were, including a small church with pews and an altar, all made from glass bottles.

One bit of information, PEI produces more potatoes than Maine or even Idaho. There is a collection of farms, dairies, and fishing villages with roads that form a latticework on the island. The great item we discovered were the Provincial Parks on the island. These “state” parks are in great locations, offer electric, water, sewer [sorry no Wi-Fi], and are very inexpensive. What gems!

We took a day to travel to Charlottetown, the Provincial capital, another to travel along the north shore and Anne of Green Gables area; a third day it was off to the Arcadian (French) section. We dined on fresh seafood, discovered a restaurant that had been designated “One of 10 Best New Restaurant in Canada” located just 10 minutes from our campground.

Located in a village of 12 houses, 1 restaurant and 2 fish markets, this restaurant was a gem. I have never been a fan of mussels – until I had them here. Even in a “salad” of mussels with a cream sauce, these bivalve creatures are as fresh as the crisp waters in which they live. Selections of haddock, halibut and oysters were all wonderfully prepared. Is this an ad – you bet!