Travel tales: Follow the red dirt road

     "... and I think to myself, what a wonderful world."    

     
     Each time I visit my favourite province, Prince Edward Island, I marvel at the well-kept farms dotting the landscape, the soft, rolling hills and the green countryside. 

     Fields upon fields of potatoes growing in the red soil, are a sight to behold. 

     

     Over 88,000 acres of potatoes are grown each year, and is the life blood of the island's economy. 

     Driving along the south shore, new vistas at every turn, we soon came upon the charming, seacoast, fishing village of Victoria by-the-Sea. 

     We chose to book most of our accommodations at Bed and Breakfasts. 

     We sought to meet as many locals as we could, and to understand the lifestyle and culture of these amazing folk, who greet us in such warm friendly ways. 

     We were warned..."Your heart rate will slow, your smiles will last longer, and you'll sometimes forget where you left your shoes." 

     

     We soon found that to be true. We strolled along the tree-lined streets, checked out the lighthouse and explored the quaint shops, and then filled our tummies at The Lobster Barn.

     I was awed at how the sun cast its parting rays of sunshine across the water. 

   

     Fishing boats in large numbers, lined the docks, swaying to-and-fro. 

     We paused for a moment to say "Hello," to a local.

     

     Karen's friendly chatter with a couple out on their verandah, earned her an invitation to "Come inside!" and view their home. 

Mark and Debi Harvey enjoying some time together with a toast.

     A three-storey estate, the Orient Hotel Bed and Breakfast where we spent two nights, had its own old friendly charm. 

     

     

     We soon warmed to it, in spite of struggling with our luggage up a long flight of stairs to our suite. 

     Truly a highlight, was the play we attended, The Tale of a Town at the historic community hall, now home of the Victorian Playhouse Festival. 

     Comical  renditions were acted out, depicting the life and flavour of some of these unique brand of islanders.

     By now, we are feeling right at home on Anne's island. 

     Of course, we must visit the area that inspired the delightful stories by L.M. Montgomery — the Anne of Green Gables series. 

     

     It brought on another deja vu for Beulah, bringing memories of her honeymoon escape 62 years previous — even to the same week. 

     Another photo-opp at cabin No. 26, this time with my lovely daughters, (two beautiful results of that loving union so long ago). 

     

     Nels would be quick to add, "much water has passed under the bridge since then."  

     Our planned visit to Charlottetown, to connect with Ruth Steeves — Nel's only living sister, 89 years young — was truly a few hours of sheer delight.

     Though there were many obvious signs of aging, Ruth enjoyed receiving my book, "Seeds of Love," as photographs brought back many great memories for her. 

     Karen and Debi enjoyed re-connecting with cousin, Julie, after so many years. 

     While in Charlottetown, we were reminded that 2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Conference. It was when New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec met in this city, to the begin the formation of our new nation, Canada in 1867. And, in 2017 we will celebrate that anniversary. 

     Our final night on the island was spent at the lovely Warn House Bed and Breakfast, in the vicinity of Summerside. 

     Decorated with antique furnishings and Canadian artwork, it had a quiet, magical charm. 

     Approaching its exterior, we were immediately impressed with the colourful surroundings — a welcoming red door, and yellow, red and blue deck chairs. I love colour! 

     

     We found our hosts, Alice Berube and Gerry Gill most interesting. We really felt we were at home away from home and wished our stay could be extended. 

     Gerry, a trained chef, we learned, knew how to make and tastefully present delicious breakfasts. 

     During our meal, we were delightfully surprised when Alice and Gerry, with their violin and gaelic hand drum, serenaded us. 

     

     Had our stay been longer, we could have enjoyed one of Gerry's famous lobster dinners. 

     So, before leaving the island, I did indulge — enjoying every morsel.  

     

     

Beulah enjoys every morsel of mouth-watering Atlantic lobster.

    

     Saying good-bye to this special bit of paradise" we carried our memories across the Confederation Bridge, (a 12.9 km. structure completed May '97) to the New Brunswick mainland— the province of my childhood. 

     

     We were anticipating more wonderful memories that we knew lay before us.    

     

     "The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been and the memories we've made along the way."  

— Unknown

— beulah