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 which 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.
16 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.
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