Summer day in October

The weather is unpredictable this year. It had turned cold, then we had a few summer-like days which delighted and surprised us. Always ones to look for opportunities to cycle or walk/hike, we headed to Cavendish to ride on the west end of the bike/walk path along the Gulf Shore Parkway.

This parkway runs along by the Gulf on St. Lawrence and while lined with trees, opens periodically to beautiful beach and sea vistas. We always enjoy driving along the parkway so we’ve looked forward to cycling there since we ordered our bikes.

We unloaded our bikes at MacNeills Brook, overlooking the beach. 

The last time we were here we saw hundreds of jellyfish along the shoreline. The beach is all but deserted today and there aren’t any jellyfish either. A gentle wave lapped the shoreline.

There wasn’t much traffic along the parkway, not that it would have affected us anyway. The slight breeze was warm, as we headed east. There were insects that day which isn’t surprising and it was the first time I’ve felt them hit my face as I rode along. 

The road is lined with coniferous trees which show the effect of winter’s icy blast, especially on the seaward of the road. 

Surprisingly, wildflowers lined the sides of the bike path even though it is past the middle of October. 

We also saw a Great Blue Heron wading in the Gulf as gulls fed nearby.

At Mackenzies Brook, access to the beach has been cut off since rocks were placed along the beach where erosion was occurring. This area is also the site of a hole in the sandstone cliff, on its way to becoming a sea arch. I caught a photo of a bird in the opening quite by accident.

Along the shoreline at one location, there is an ark-like boat with an interesting message on its side. The couple will obviously remember that night and so will everyone else now.

One of the things I love about Prince Edward Island is the way the lifestyle of the people reflects both the land and sea. This pleasure boat is high and dry next to an old barn. 

Down the road, cows in a pasture can look out to sea too.

Riding along, the sound of the sea was a constant. With the wind in your face and the fresh salt air, this ride along the Parkway was everything we imagined it would be.

 

 

Covehead

Spring activities are in full swing here. Barbecues, walks, hikes, picnics are on-going now any day the weather permits. On our most recent excursion, we went northeast to the National Park. We drove along the Gulf Shore Parkway, with sand dunes on one side and marsh land or ponds on the other and stopped at Covehead.

A lighthouse set in the sand dunes at Covehead

guides boats in and out of Covehead Harbour. Nearby a bridge allows the boats access to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The bridge has a pedestrian walkway on either side and a barrier with a sign, discouraging people from jumping or diving from the bridge. 

It overlooks the wharf where everything is ready for today, when lobster traps are set for the season.

The beach on the other side of the dunes has seaweed mounds, sand drifts accumulated on pieces of seaweed thrown ashore over the winter.

We have our picnic below the lighthouse in front of the dunes. The empty beach and sea stretch before us. Our homemade fare is perfect with switchel, unsweetened black tea. While there, tourists, speaking an unknown language, arrive to walk the beach and take photos by the lighthouse. As we watch, we feel lucky we can come here any time to enjoy the scenery and the lifestyle.