 We left the marina in Shediac at sunrise because we wanted to get to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI) as early in the day as possible—so we could enjoy some of the city—and to also avoid having to navigate our way through more ‘fields” of lobster pots in the dark. |
| As you come out of the marina basin, you have to turn a sharp left to immediately get in to the channel that leads out to the Northumberland Strait. I did not turn sharply enough and the boat ran aground in the soft mud—right at the entrance to the marina. Fortunately, the mud was soft and not too deep. A few back-and-forths with Ananda’s large propeller and we were free in about a minute. |
 Just as we were breaking free a lobster boat came out of the marina basin. We could see that the owner had his young son aboard to help out with the day’s work ahead. When the young fellow saw us he gave a great salute and wave. Perhaps he knew what was ahead of us and that was his way of wishing “best of luck to you in the lobster pot fields”? |
 We spent the next 2½ hours navigating our way through hundreds of lobster pot floats. At least it was day time but we soon discovered that with the sun facing us, it was difficult to spot the floats. There were many that we did not see until we were right on top of them! Interestingly enough, when we looked back at where we came from we could see all kinds of floats reflecting in the morning sunlight. That, of course explains why the fishermen would go a long ways out of the harbor before they began working their way back to port. |
 With the sun at their backs it was very easy for them to spot the floats and navigate from site to site by their eyes alone. The best way I can describe how dense these “fields” are is to have you think about walking through a very large lawn full of dandelions without stepping on any. It’s not easy! |
 Thankfully the lobster pots began to thin out as we approached the Confederation Bridge which connects Prince Edward Island (PEI) to mainland New Brunswick. |
 This bridge is an amazing structure—almost 20 kilometers long and declared to be the longest bridge of its kind in the world that crosses (winter) frozen waters. Prior to the bridge being built the island could only be reached by (ferry) boat or plane. |
 The bridge was also built as one of Canada’s biggest public private partnership initiatives. The consortium that designed and built the bridge has a 50-year concession to charge tolls for access to the bridge. |
 The tolls are competitive with the ferry charges and the bridge offers the convenience of allowing motorists and goods to cross between New Brunswick and PEI at their convenience rather than to a ferry schedule. |
 We reached Charlottetown harbour about 2:30pm and contacted the marina for docking and fuel instructions. We had to go to the neighboring marina to get fuel as the yacht club no longer sold diesel. |
 The Peakes Wharf Marina was jumping with activity—lots of boats coming and going, throngs of tourists on shore visiting stores, seeing the sights and watching the local entertainment. |
 While we were fueling up we had gospel rock and roll on one side of us and maritime jigs and reels on the other side. I asked the fuel attendant how he was enjoying his day with all of the activity around him. He replied that he was going nuts and was looking forward to the end of his shift. When we were all done fueling up I gave him a generous tip and told him that the first beer was on me! |
 Joan whipped up another great meal—seafood chowder with halibut. That and a few libations went down quite quickly. Feeling totally refreshed, I decided that it was time for more exercise so I headed out in search of some sights and a loaf of bread for Joan. |
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 The downtown area of Charlottetown is right on the waterfront so I did not have far to go to be right in the heart of the action. This is a great little city with lots of neat things to see and do. |
 The Anne of Green Gables Festival plays in the city each summer and throngs of tourists come to PEI for the theater, the lobsters, the great beaches and fabulous maritime hospitality. |
 Charlottetown is also the birthplace of Canada’s Confederation. In 1867 our founding fathers met in Charlottetown and established Canada as a country of the British Commonwealth. PEI may be our smallest province but it sure is “big” in Canadian history! |
We left the marina in Shediac at sunrise because we wanted to get to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI) as early in the day as possible—so we could enjoy some of the city—and to also avoid having to navigate our way through more ‘fields” of lobster pots in the dark.
Just as we were breaking free a lobster boat came out of the marina basin. We could see that the owner had his young son aboard to help out with the day’s work ahead. When the young fellow saw us he gave a great salute and wave. Perhaps he knew what was ahead of us and that was his way of wishing “best of luck to you in the lobster pot fields”?
We spent the next 2½ hours navigating our way through hundreds of lobster pot floats. At least it was day time but we soon discovered that with the sun facing us, it was difficult to spot the floats. There were many that we did not see until we were right on top of them! Interestingly enough, when we looked back at where we came from we could see all kinds of floats reflecting in the morning sunlight. That, of course explains why the fishermen would go a long ways out of the harbor before they began working their way back to port.
With the sun at their backs it was very easy for them to spot the floats and navigate from site to site by their eyes alone. The best way I can describe how dense these “fields” are is to have you think about walking through a very large lawn full of dandelions without stepping on any. It’s not easy!
Thankfully the lobster pots began to thin out as we approached the Confederation Bridge which connects Prince Edward Island (PEI) to mainland New Brunswick.
This bridge is an amazing structure—almost 20 kilometers long and declared to be the longest bridge of its kind in the world that crosses (winter) frozen waters. Prior to the bridge being built the island could only be reached by (ferry) boat or plane.
The bridge was also built as one of Canada’s biggest public private partnership initiatives. The consortium that designed and built the bridge has a 50-year concession to charge tolls for access to the bridge.
The tolls are competitive with the ferry charges and the bridge offers the convenience of allowing motorists and goods to cross between New Brunswick and PEI at their convenience rather than to a ferry schedule.
We reached Charlottetown harbour about 2:30pm and contacted the marina for docking and fuel instructions. We had to go to the neighboring marina to get fuel as the yacht club no longer sold diesel.
The Peakes Wharf Marina was jumping with activity—lots of boats coming and going, throngs of tourists on shore visiting stores, seeing the sights and watching the local entertainment.
While we were fueling up we had gospel rock and roll on one side of us and maritime jigs and reels on the other side. I asked the fuel attendant how he was enjoying his day with all of the activity around him. He replied that he was going nuts and was looking forward to the end of his shift. When we were all done fueling up I gave him a generous tip and told him that the first beer was on me!
Joan whipped up another great meal—seafood chowder with halibut. That and a few libations went down quite quickly. Feeling totally refreshed, I decided that it was time for more exercise so I headed out in search of some sights and a loaf of bread for Joan.
The downtown area of Charlottetown is right on the waterfront so I did not have far to go to be right in the heart of the action. This is a great little city with lots of neat things to see and do.
The Anne of Green Gables Festival plays in the city each summer and throngs of tourists come to PEI for the theater, the lobsters, the great beaches and fabulous maritime hospitality.
Charlottetown is also the birthplace of Canada’s Confederation. In 1867 our founding fathers met in Charlottetown and established Canada as a country of the British Commonwealth. PEI may be our smallest province but it sure is “big” in Canadian history!