A day at the park

We’ve spent time in the National Park here on Prince Edward Island recently and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Besides time at Cavendish Grove, we walked some trails and had our grandson with us one day. We will return again soon.

It was great fun to have the three year old with us, to share his joy in life and to see life from his perspective. He observed the three pairs of geese who live in the Grove this time of year, watched a squirrel feeding nearby and listened intently to the peepers and other frogs as they continued their serenade. Strangely, the frogs were quiet for a few minutes as we ate lunch before they started up again. A pair of the geese were unconcerned about us dining nearby.

We watched as crows flew to the bank to gobble up some frogs to which our grandson said, “That’s not very nice.” 

It takes some thought to explain the food chain to a three year old. He listened and moved on to the next experience.

He rode in his wagon and his grandfather and I took turns pulling him over the trails or joined him as he hopped with enthusiasm over fallen trees in the glade. We had Georgie, the eleven year old golden retriever with us too and she sniffed every blade of grass along the way. It was a leisurely walk on a cold but sunny day.

It was especially fun for our boy to ride on the bridge over the Lake of Shining Waters, otherwise know as MacNeills Pond,

located just behind the dunes at Cavendish Beach. 

We watched mallards on the pond as I took some photos. I love this area.

Recreational fishing season started mid month so except for one other visitor, we were alone in the park that day. Meanwhile, every pond, stream and bog hole on our way to the park had anglers busy casting for that big one. I don’t understand that quest but the quiet time in nature is appealing of course.

A new ride on a changed trail

My new E-bike has arrived finally and I am enjoying the ride. My husband and I rode around our neighbourhood before we headed further afield. It took me some time to adjust to the pedal assist, throttle and gears. It is lots of fun however and the day it arrived I felt like a child at Christmas. 

Then we had high winds, up to 89 km/h, 55 mph, which ruled out cycling for several days. When we were able to ride again, we took to the Confederation Trail. One month ago, when we rode this particular section of the trail, the scene was different.

Remember this old fence and the horses? 

The horses are not in this field as the fence is destroyed, probably a casualty of the wind storm. It was sad to see the old fence this way.

This was the trail last month, 

the green walls reaching skyward as we enjoyed the setting. A month later, 

the green is replaced with autumn colour, predominantly red, as the maples reveal their Canadian identity. The sight makes us stop periodically to take in the fleeting beauty. 

Many of the fields are already harvested and have been replanted for winter to prevent soil erosion. This field was harvested last month 

and seeded with grass which has grown well. 

The sound of water along the trail is unusual and again we stop. 

Ice has started to form on the water, a reminder our days of cycling are numbered for this year. It’s gotten a lot colder this last week.

There is something calming to the spirit about cycling. Although the physical effort can be demanding, riding with the wind in your face, the sound of the birds and the occasional sighting, eyes on the trail ahead and the vegetation all around, are all exhilarating. The spirit absorbs the essence of the experience. You can call it the effect of endorphins, but I like to think the spirit recalls the experience and provides a sense of well being. I can’t wait to go again.

Along the way 5

We passed this barn and paddock with the horses when my husband and I were cycling. I’ve seen horses at this farm previously but they’ve never been in the area near the road. I had to stop.

The old fence alone is reason to stop and look however. It looks like fences from years ago when you cut the wood yourself. In Newfoundland, people like my grandfather called this wood longers.  No pressure treated lumber here just longers which are nature treated over time. One such fence was built on a plot of land in Summerside recently. 

How many years has the fence been around this paddock? It has aged, looks ancient even and has so much character. It also does the job needed of any fence.

As I slowly approached, two of the horses walked away. However, the horse with the crescent on its forehead stayed.

It continued to eat, selectively picking its favourite morsels from among the ground cover. At one point it picked up a Queen Anne’s Lace with some grass but quickly dropped it. The lacy blooms are safe where the horses are concerned.

At one time, this farm had trotters for harness racing which is popular on Prince Edward Island and has a long history here. They ran in this paddock but these horses are much bigger than trotters. Are the days of harness racing over for this farm?

The barn is holding up well. With the horses and the old fence around the paddock this is an island farm setting which illustrates island culture and tradition.

Fences and benches

A fence is another way to say

“Why don’t you just go away?

You surely are not welcome here,

You just have to stay out there.” 

On the farm the fences keep

In or out the cows and sheep.

Old and rustic, wire or new

A fence can be a pretty view. 

A bench, it has a different look

An invite to sit and read a book,

Or chat with one who sits beside,

Or if alone then one can bide.

Time on a bench is time well shared

With one you love or one who cared.

Next time you see one, stop and sit, 

A bench can be the perfect fit.

                                                MS

Dunelands

The name could be a title for a science fiction novel. Not this time however. It is an area in the national park on Prince Edward Island and while it isn’t a science fiction setting, it has an interesting geography.

This area includes the sand dunes of Cavendish Beach in the center of the island. 

Here, a pond, like so many on the island, was an inlet of the Gulf of St Lawrence which was cut off from the sea by the accumulation of beach sand.

Over the ages, the salt water in the pond was neutralized by rain and fresh water flowing into it. Now Macneill’s Pond is a home to fish and a resting/feeding place for Canada geese.

The dunes are covered in Maram grass and other vegetation. 

They are a great habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including foxes which have dens in the dunes. We saw a fox just west of Dunelands, making his rounds in a parking lot.

A rustic fence keeps park goers from walking on the dunes.

A boardwalk traverses the pond and provides a great view of the geese and fish in the water.

The area is in the flight path of the geese 

and we were pleased with the photos we took of the geese overhead.

Dunelands isn’t a large area but it is a natural wonder.