Day 11 - Monday July 10 - Georgetown, PEI

Hello PEI!

Getaway days are always hectic, but we packed up shortly after breakfast and bid Fundy adieu. We were headed for Confederation Bridge and decided to take the slightly longer more scenic route. This meant we didn't have to retrace our steps back through Fundy, we could continue through and see trees and a narrow ribbon of ashphalt completely different than the trees and skinny ribbon of ashphalt we got to see on the way in. Totally worth it.

This bridge is more impressive from the side, the air or from professional pictures. Nothing is much less interesting that the view from the bridge itself, at least in our low family sedan. Trust us.

We had to drive from the bridge, located pretty much in the middle (South side) of the island to Georgetown, which is on the East shore - luckily everything in PEI is drive able in a couple of hours.  We also needed to stock the fridge before we got to Georgetown, as there was unlikely to be much available for a couple of veggies in such a small community, so we decided to stop to get groceries as we drop over through the relative metropolis of Charlottetown. We're also certainly creatures of habit, and so when it came time to shop, PC products make us happy. So, when we saw an Atlantic Superstore as we came into Charlottetown, our decision was made. 

Hannah thrilled to be getting groceries with her ham of a bro in Charlottetown.

The rest was just a short drive to Summer Winds Cottages. Our hosts were away for the day, but had handily left our keys and entry instructions in an envelope marked 'Kevin' tucked into the office screen door. We need left alone anyway. 

Our cozy cottage. It had everything we needed, and a few million uninvited guests. At least they (mostly) stayed outside.

The place was furnished with everything we needed, and some we didn't! In fact, it was hard to drag G away from the TV. After some whining and coercing on both sides, we decided to take the short walk to the beach. It was quite buggy, but the salt water and cool breeze promised relief. With a few new bug bites on our ankles we finally made it to the beach, a long way out from the steps down we could see water, so we ditched our shoes by the stairs and headed out. Another adventure!

The beach was 5 minutes away and lovely. It was an adventure, maybe not so good for T's heart.

Anna at Fundy National had prepped us for this beach walk, but she didn't have a sand beach it work with so some things were new. As we made our way out to the water line we breathed deeply, savouring the salty air and enjoying the quiet. A few boats could be seen puttering in the distance. It was paradise. The closer we came to the water the more changes we noticed. First, we saw fish. Little ones, struggling in the temporarily shallow water, and stressfully swimming away from our clomping feet. T didn't like it! Which, of Claire's, thrilled Gord and I. At the waterline we saw crabs! Hundreds of little ones - green crabs and hermit crabs, scuttling along, enjoying the evening. Or maybe just trying to stay alive, I'm not sure. But in between was the most exciting part. I discovered it first, as I made my way past the fish and into some softer sand. I had Hannah strapped to my chest, so I couldn't see my feet when all of a sudden my calves were soaked with cold wet! I thought she was startled and peed all over me! Of course she was diapered, but what else could it be? Then Gord screamed, 'a geyser!' and he danced with glee as his newly wet ankles and knees dripped. Then I hit soaked again. Then Theresa screamed. It took a few minutes for us to figure out was going on, but it seems something in the sand was spooked by our presence and was spitting up at us from within the beach! Every step was exciting and refreshing, but again, it was a proverbial mine field for Theresa. We snuck around that beach for nearly an hour, watching a Heron hunt in the shallows, screaming with every splash from bellow, and eventually retired to the confines of our cottage to prepare for a fire. 

But Gord loved it! He even found his own crabs, fish and clams!

Our Fundy experience made Gord salivate at the idea of having our own fire pit at the cottage. So we bundled up, I chopped wood, and we headed out to our folding Canada chairs. The fire lit quickly and we settled in for a new Dr. Roach - this time it was Attack of the Giant Hamster. We got about 1/2 a page in before the swarms of singing mosquitoes scared T back inside, and Gord and I lasted about another page. They were all over my hands and face and Gord didn't have a problem heading in to escape their swarms. We would have plenty of fires on a Cape Breton Island and our campsite was close to the beach, so we could have fires then. A short bit of Moana was enough to put him out. We dreamt of white sand beaches! 

Beach Season? Heck Yes!

Tomorrow we'll head to the beach and the big city - hopefully the weather plays along.