07/28 to 08/01 2025 Trip to Canada - Part Five

2025 Trip to Canada Part Five

July 28 to August 01   

Four hours, 216 miles and across the incredible 8-mile Confederation Bridge, the Hudson Islanders are at their last stop, Marco Polo Land Campground in New Glasgow, PEI.

347 kilometers = 215.6 miles and the highlight was crossing over the Confederation Bridge. Taking four years to construct the bridge officially opened in 1997. The 10-minute ride replaced the 75-minute ferry ride to PEI at a cost of $1.3 billion (CAD). 

The fear of driving over bridges is called gephyrophobia. This one would qualify.  The two lane highway has a speed limit of 50 m.p.h. and is closed when winds approach 50 m.p.h. Cyclists and pedestrians aren’t allowed to cross on foot; there's a shuttle available for them.

It's the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world and built to withstand ice flows. There are 62 pier-like supports each carefully place to minimize environmental damage and to break up the ice flows.

The bridge curves slightly to help drivers stay alert—a straight path might cause drowsiness.

Depending on location, the height above water varies from 131-197 feet.

There is a one-way toll when leaving PEI. My fellow Hudson Islanders left July 31st and paid $50.25 CAD plus an extra fee for each additional axle. I left August 1st and unbeknownst to us, the government changed the toll to $20 CAD for all vehicles.

E. Marco Polo Land Campground 4 Nights

New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island

Marco Polo Land Campground spans 100+ acres in scenic Cavendish area along the north shore of the Island with 645 RV/camping sites, cabins, a six-bedroom inn and rustic tenting areas. A water park for the kids makes it a popular family outing. We were fortunate to have our sites clustered within walking distance.

I followed Tony/Doreen along the long entrance road.

My site 521 was spacious with full hookups; no shade and spotty Internet once I got off the phone with AT&T.

A 360º view; Ray/Sue, Tom/Vicky, Tony/Doreen, Jack already set up; Gene/Susan arrived shortly thereafter.

The Store was well stocked with groceries and children's toys.

Breakfast was served from 8 am to 11 am. Good portions and reasonable prices. There was also an ice cream shop with my maple walnut scooped ice cream. We did not have dinner there.

With limited tickets (and interest) available we took a day trip to Charlottetown, about a forty minute drive from the campground. There, Tony, Doreen, Sue and Susan enjoyed the 2:00 pm show, Anne & Gilbert - the Musical, while Gene, Jack, Ray and I visited the Olde Dublin Pub on Sydney Street and patiently waited for them to join us for dinner later that evening.

Tap room and restaurant up on the third floor.

The pub is Charlottetown's original Irish pub established in 1983. "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough." (Don't know why Guinness signs are more prominently displayed.)

A local brew, Bogside Pale Ale.

On the wall

When the others joined us, we had dinner.

In an Irish pub? I had to have their house recipe Shepard's Pie! PEI beef with carrots, turnip, onion, corn, and peas. Finished with Guinness gravy and topped with cheesy mashed potatoes. Photo from Internet.

Jack and I ventured to the north shoreline and stopped at the Cavendish Boardwalk and the Cavendish Cliffs viewing Cavendish Beach in the distance.

 

A walk along a beach on the boardwalk it was not. Suffice it to say, I got another 10,000 steps in that day...or was it 20,000, Hard to tell.

We stopped for lunch at Captain Scott's Fish and Chips and each had fried shrimp and onion rings.

And couldn't resist a beavertail sold at a shop at the opposite end of the Boardwalk. I was reminded of the hilarious segment on beavertails with my favorite comedian, John Pinnette. Watch the short HERE.

In about ten minutes we were at the Cavendish Cliffs in Prince Edward Island National Park.

From the deck looking north, the Cavendish Cliffs are towering red sandstone formations that dramatically rise above the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These cliffs are iconic for their rust-red color, due to iron-rich sandstone. Layered geological patterns, revealing thousands of years of natural history, these erosion-sculpted shapes, constantly evolving from wind and wave action. 

From the observation platform looking south, the Cavendish Beach, PEI's best known beach. Crowded with bathers, it features miles of white-gold sand surrounded and protected by gorgeous sand dunes.

Green Gables Heritage Place: A short drive inland, the setting for Anne of Green Gables.

With the days slipping by ever so quickly, our time on PEI came to an end. We did manage a campfire the last night and I captured two sunsets. 

The first, early in the week...

...as it set behind one of the Yurts...complete with optical illusion.

But the best one was the night I was alone in the campground. All others had left that day.

Perhaps it was fitting that PEI and Canada bid me farewell with such a beautiful display to remember. Tomorrow's trip will take me to the US via Houlton, Maine and site of my next encounter with Customs. My next blog will update you on that.

Although the Hudson Islanders were headed home, my plans are to remain in Maine working my way south and stopping at three campgrounds before meeting up with my cousins, John and Barbara, in Searsport, Maine, at the end of August.

I hope you've enjoyed the Canadian excursion and once again thank you, Roberta, for re-living your memories of prior trips but this time including other members of the Hudson Islanders who could make the trip.

Here's to Nova Scotia's winding shores, New Brunswick's forested highways and Prince Edward Island's red cliffs and rocky shores. Here's to friendly strangers, delicious meals and as the red sun dips low behind me, I raise a glass to the memories captured and to the journey that lies before me.