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Wednesday 27 July 2016

Not Just Another Boardwalk

Boardwalks are plentiful here in Prince Edward Island. We frequent the one by the bay in Summerside as do many other residents. All around the province, boardwalks attract people to the outdoors, by the ocean, over marshes or wetlands, in parks and towns. Islanders are fond of their boardwalks.

 

This summer my husband and I are exploring more of our island home as we can drive from east to west in several hours. Our most recent discovery is the boardwalk in North Rustico, northeast of our home. The hot summer day did not dissuade us since we had natural air conditioning again, an east coast breeze.

North Rustico is an area which was first settled by Indigenous people at least 6000 years ago. Then the European explorer, Jacques Cartier, sailed along the coast in the 1530s. Rene Rassicot fished in the area in 1729 and named it. Rassicot, with the silent t, became Rustico over the centuries. By the 1790s, the first French settlers, Acadians, built their homes in the area. Descendants of those first Acadians live in the area today.

This part of the province still is involved in the fishery. The community has less than one thousand permanent residents, but that number swells in the summer when cottagers return and visitors flock to the area. Meanwhile, life in the community continues as it has for centuries, linked to the sea. Now however, the tourist industry is also a part of that lifestyle. We shared our day in the community with many other visitors, most of whom were from other provinces and states across the border.

The boardwalk runs along by the harbour, a prime location. 

 

The path is lined with wildflowers 

 

and trees, where birds sing their varied melodies in the thick vegetation, unseen but not unnoticed.

 

In the harbour, boats go by

 


and share the waterway with kayakers this time of year. 

 

Overhead an osprey is making its presence known as herons wade in the water. Along the path, various monuments mark people and events which are significant to the area.

 
                                                             Monument to the Acadian Settlers

At the end of the boardwalk near the entrance to the harbour, if you cross the road and follow the path, you will arrive at the beach. Sand dunes obstruct the view of the beach which opens before you on the far side of the dunes. 

 

The beach is crowded, by island standards.

 

At the head of the harbour, rental places and eateries attract visitors. 

 

This lighthouse is one of four remaining of those which housed keepers and their families for decades. 

 

Lobster traps are for sale but don't look out of place.

 

We will return.

 
 

26 comments:

ADRIAN said...

You are spoilt with all the boardwalks, I get muddy feet walking a couple of miles to the shop.
I still find that your lighthouses remind me of windmills. It does look great though a bit flat for me to settle their. The boardwalks are tempting though.

Anvilcloud said...

Good things happen under the boardwalk.
https://youtu.be/EPEqRMVnZNU

DJan said...

It's very lovey, Marie. Thanks for sharing it with me. We have natural air conditioning, too, with a sea breeze, on this side it's a westerly one. :-)

Mage said...

Just lovely. What a comfortable place. Thanks for taking us along.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

A wonderful idea to have boardwalks along beach areas and I enjoyed the walk with you.

Elephant's Child said...

How very, very beautiful. Boardwalks are rare here, mostly confined to places like the Botanical Gardens. Always welcome though.
And yes, I would return too. Often.

Marie Smith said...

The boardwalks are great.

Marie Smith said...

Yes they do!

Marie Smith said...

Our best weather is with a westerly wind too.

Marie Smith said...

It is lovely, Mage.

Marie Smith said...

So glad you did, Judith. Boardwalks here are well used.

Marie Smith said...

As Arnold said, "I'll be back."

Barbara said...

We don't have boardwalks down here that I know of. Your pictures look like a really lovely place to visit and no sand in the shoes unless you want it. I wish I could travel and see places like this that are so unique to me. Maybe one day.

Ginnie Hart said...

THIS is what so attracts me to PEI and to Vancouver Island as well, on the opposite end of your great country, Marie. The boardwalks, the lighthouses, the water, the everything! One day I hope to go back!

Angela said...

This place is beautiful!!! I think I have told you but will mention again that I love the ocean!! Great beach with wide sand!! I see you got Queen Ann's lace, I just tried to transplant one and hope it will survive. My husband told me it is a weed but I think it's a pretty flower. Perhaps someday we will take a trip that way and see many of our Canadian friends and stop by such a lovely place as this. Is there place to stay here like B&B?

Anonymous said...

Wonderful commentary on a unique and evocotive place. I'm sure you know Longfellow's poem, 'Evangeline'?

Marie Smith said...

It is a lovely place, Barbara. Maybe...

Marie Smith said...

I hope you come back again, Ginnie.

Marie Smith said...

There are great places to stay in this area, Angela. Maybe...

Marie Smith said...

There is a fantastic musical Evangeline, based on Longfellow's poem. Also, the French district just west of here is called Evangeline. Many Acadian descendants live there and in other parts of the island. They are wonderful people, very welcoming and caring people.

Down by the sea said...

It always fantastic to visit you as you give us so many wonderful glimpses of your island, it is almost as good as being there on holiday! Sarah x

Marie Smith said...

It is such a beautiful place to live, Sarah.

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks like a wonderful maritime walk!

Marie Smith said...

It truly is, FG.

Emma Springfield said...

I like to walk a boardwalk. Usually the designers follow the best scenery and you don't have to worry about stepping in something unseen. Too many of us go far away to see the sights and never look at what is near us. You are wise to seek the things at home.

Marie Smith said...

We live in a small province, Emma. We are doing day trips this year and learning more about our island home. It is beautiful and we are really enjoying it.