Having lived almost 60 years on an island without any easy or economical access or egress, moving to Prince Edward Island with its bridge link to mainland Canada was a huge difference. It’s not that we have gone to the mainland via the bridge often since we have lived here. It is the option to be able to do it is a privilege Newfoundlanders do not enjoy on that island.
The bridge, located southeast of Summerside is visible from the boardwalk many days, when the weather permits.
Now, when the Northumberland Strait between the island and the mainland is ice covered, my husband and I headed to Borden Carleton, to take some close-up photos of the bridge. The scene didn’t disappoint.
It was a busy weekday morning on the bridge with transport trucks bringing goods to the island.
Islanders rely on mainland North America for most of their needs. The sunny day without high winds meant that traffic was flowing freely, unlike days with high winds when the bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles.
The ice offshore moves east with the current, and travels under the bridge as it flows. The bridge at 12.9 km or 8 miles is the longest bridge over ice covered water on the planet. Close to the shoreline, the ice is solid, not as affected by the current as you can see here at the wharf near the bridge
and in Bedeque Bay in Summerside.
Along the way, we stopped at the Red Bridge to see the open water which flows into the mouth of Bedeque Bay. There were a few Canada Geese, Mallards, Mergansers and Black Ducks in the area, though more of the area was frozen this year than in recent years due to the bitterly cold weather we have had.
It is noteworthy that by this time next month, clocks will have sprung ahead and this is a short month. The increasing daylight lifts my spirits. We hope that more of our walking will be outdoors as the month progresses. Spring is just on the other side of that bridge and moving this way!
P.S.
We have had two major power outages on the western end of the island in the last few weeks, the second of which continues this morning. We have a generator to use so we’ve kept the fireplace on and are warm. It feels like -20 C this morning. We will have lots of company if this continues.
35 comments:
I have driven on your big bridge only once. Quite the experience. I am looking forward to more daylight hours when the clocks change. I'm getting a bit fed up with grey skies and cold temperatures.
Wow!! What an important and very looong bridge. We absolutely love our wood burning fireplace. It has kept us warm more than once throughout power outages. After the last outage, we have decided to invest in a good generator.
I hope your outage situation improves. Stay warm!
That third bndge shot is fantastic. You have a wonderful eye for composition.
And I drove that bridge. Wow. We took the ferry over and drove back, on our pilgrimage to LMM's island.
The company being other family members seeking warmth?
We took the bring going and the ferry coming back home. I wouldn't have minded spending more time in PEI.
Our daughter has a generator too so she’ll be fine. Some friends don’t however.
Wow, wow and wow!
I've only driven over the Confederation Bridge once and it was both exhilarating and terrifying, LOL!
As you know, Marie, we drove over the Confederation Bridge, last spring on our visit to PEI and it was a memorable experience, and thankfully not in winter. Thanks for all the information about the bridge and the shots you took were great as I did not get any good ones of my own.
Marie, wow, thanks for all the great pics and info about the Confederation Bridge. What an amazing bridge! Besides the bridge, my favorite in this post is the image of the bench overlooking Bedeque Bay. If I recall correctly, you’ve shown us that bench in the summer. Just for fun, I think I’ll look back and see if I can find that image. Thanks, as always, for sharing and have a good week ahead … Power back on! John
That bridge is huge!!!Amazing!!Looks like you still have very cold weather.But soon there will be spring💖🌹😊
Oh, I hope the power outage doesn't last much longer. That is such a nuisance, even with the generator.
I've done the drive across the Confederation Bridge - it's amazing how long it is. My friend K, drove it the opposite way as we both wanted the experience.
Those are great shots, especially that second one. And so glad to hear you can get some heat with such cold temps!
BRrrrrr, too cold for me but oh, such lovely photos of the bridge and the frozen river.
I'm glad you were able to get out and see that amazing bridge. I can't believe that in exactly one month we will have Daylight Savings Time. I will so enjoy the lighter hours.
Stay cozy by the fireside.
Sue
I always enjoyed the ferry ride over to the Island, but the bridge is certainly more convenient. We have done it twice now - both ways, of course.
That's a fine looking bridge, it would have been interesting seeing them build it. We just got our boil water notice updated so we don't have to continue it. It lasted two weeks but there still are a few people who have no water. This was due to the two major storms we had. Hopefully, they will be connected again.
The power of ice and tides is hard to imagine.
This is silly, but I have a bit of a bridge phobia. Doesn't stop me from driving over, but I generally have at least one eye closed.
We've driven over the Confederation Bridge twice (two round-trips). It's LONG! How lucky you are to have such a link to the mainland. We have to rely on ferries and there have been many cancellations this winter due to weather and ferry breakdowns.
I hope the power stays on in the cold.
Hello Marie :)
So much snow and power cuts is not ideal winter weather in February. It stops you from walking and keeping warm. I like the images of the bridge, what a marvelous construction. It was also nice to see the ducks.
All the best, I hope the power is back on.
Sonjia.
I am staggered at the ice floes under the bridge - and what a bridge! Island life looks to be both romantic and extremely hard (isolated) when the weather gets involved!
I remember visiting the island several times by ferry, but I think our last trip we crossed on the bridge. I do remember the controversy before it was built, whether they could build a bridge to withstand the ice, whether the island would lose its sense of community, and of course what it cost. But they built it and PEI hasn't suffered from what I can see,
oooooh it is so pretty but it also looks frigid cold. the pictures of the bridge are fascinating and sure do lend an eye to how long it is!! i always say i would love to live on an island, but i'm not really sure i would. i think i need to be a little closer to the "action"!! we had a generator during super storm sandy that we shared with neighbors with long extension cords. we took turns getting gas for it. we also had "company"...those who needed a place to get warm and take hot showers!!
Wow, what a bridge! We had a power cut but only for an hour, which was bad enough.
Glad you have a generator. That's something we want when we move for sure. I love, love, love that third picture. I really, really, really like it. Just so cool.
Sorry to hear about the power outage, hope your power is restored soon. The photo pf the bridge with the snow covered water below is great.
Oh my that is certainly a bridge. It is amazing seeing all that snow and ice around it. Love your words about spring being just on the other side. I am sure it cannot come too soon. So sorry to read about your power outages. Glad you have a generator to stay warm. Take care and thanks always for stopping to visit me. Hugs!
Your bridge photos are beautiful!
I'm also looking forward to longer days and more sunshine. I hope you've gotten power back!
I am in awe of what you have shown in this post, Marie, having no clue what an incredible bridge this is, not only in length but in its value to your island. And all that ice! Our winter here in the Netherlands has been the coldest of my 16 winters here thus far, especially for long periods at a time. And then to have loss of power?? I know you have a generator but for those who don't.... God have mercy!
wow...how cool that the water freezes up like that. Our waters don't do that around here, course I am thinking that we don't get the cold temps for as long as you guys do.
What a glorious bridge. I used to be afraid of bridges, but nowadays I love them. I have to say that so far the bridges down to Key West are my favorite, but I think I would be thrilled by yours.
Stay warm! I hope the power has been restored by now.
Hello,
It is a nice looking bridge, I like the closeups and the distant views of the bridge. Great captures of the waterfowl. The power outages sounds awful, it is so cold to go without power. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.
Beautiful photos of the bridge! Keep that generator handy and stay warm and safe!
I love winter photos like this. Those ice floes are beautiful.
That bridge is a beauty! Such a winter wonderland you live in. It sounds like you need a generator.
I forgot to add in your last post, we lost power over the weekend. Burrrrrrr.
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