Millman Road in Irishtown

Heritage roads on Prince Edward Island are a link to the past. These old red dirt roads etched into the countryside were the thoroughfare for horse and cart in days gone by and never endured the modern day indignity of pavement. Without development, trees have stretched over the roads, providing seasonal beauty to all who walk their lengths. My husband and I have walked a number of these roads and Millman Road is our favourite thus far.

The leaves have unfurled for another year and their new green is brilliant.

Looking down Millman Road, one is enticed forward into the verdure.

There are places where the canopy is so thick that the road beneath is dark. 

The birds are invisible among the leaves but their theme music fits the setting. Ahead the sunlight brightens the road, urging us onward.

The road is cut deep into the red soil after more than a century. 

This leaves some of the forest floor at eye level where we can see tiny spring blooms. Star flower, 

Wild lily of the valley 

and Blue-bead lily 

are often overlooked but not today.

Apple blossoms line the canopy

and petals line the road. 

Animals love the sweet bounty every autumn.

Farmland lines both sides of the gently rolling countryside. At the crest of one of the hills, a view to Southwest River and beyond 

gives a sense of the island and its beauty.

The fields have been planted in neat rows and the crop has erupted from the soil.

Last summer was a dry one. This spring has been wet. What will this summer bring?

We finish our walk with Georgie, the golden grand-dog, who smiles every time she is off lead. 

The road is paradise for her and us.

Answers to questions from recent posts:

Barbara at https://www.babybloggingboomer.com/ asked how long it takes to get to Cavendish Grove. The Grove is about thirty minutes from our house. From end to end of this island is a three hour drive. For us, nothing is ever more than two hours away though most of our excursions are less than an hour from home. The boardwalk we visit regularly is five minutes away. In the summer, we rent a beach house on the eastern side of the island and explore that area. It is over an hour away.

Debra at http://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/ asked about the Lake of Shining Waters. This lake is behind the sand dunes at Cavendish Beach. It is known as MacNeil’s Pond as well. On the park maps it is called Lake of Shining Waters in keeping with the Anne of Green Gables theme.

John at https://john-s-island.blogspot.com/ asked about the fence in the Cavendish Beach photo. The fence is to keep beach goers away from areas where Piping plovers are nesting. The endangered bird is returning to the area and park personnel are keeping them as safe as they can. These plovers nest on the beaches above the high water mark.