Riding the Trail

The part of the Confederation Trail which we can see in the city is snow free. My husband and I were eager to ride our bikes for the first time this season, so we dressed for the cold and headed out. The wind wasn’t high so the overcast day was comfortable as we rode the trail, feeling exhilarated after the long winter. The bumpiness of the trial this time of year kept us at a slow pace.

The trail was 99% snow and ice free, except for a small section which had just enough shade. There were small patches of snow on the trail itself though the ditches were full of snow in that area.

We turned around in Miscouche, about 8 kilometres from home where horses and an old barn and fence always make a good subject for the camera. 

I waited for the foal to stand but it was resting while its mother, standing nearby, had lost a sock, probably in the dryer like the rest of us.

All along the trail the Song Sparrows were busy in the trees, invisible, but making their presence known occasionally when they sang to the heavens for all they were worth. I always notice them.

We headed back and as we approached Summerside, a young man with a dog walked towards us. Whilst biking, I am wary of dogs on the trail since sometimes they will dart towards the bike if the walker doesn’t keep a short lead. I moved further away from them on the trail but ran over a small patch of snow which unfortunately sat on ice.  Consequently I fell to the ground with the bike on top of me. There was soil in my mouth and nose and despite the helmet, I hit my left forehead, scratched my nose and cheek. My husband, riding behind me, saw the man lower his head and walk on, without saying a word. 

I was stunned and it took a while to recover. I sat for a few minutes while my husband had a look at the bike which was fine. Slowly we rode home, my left arm and shoulder painful but able to move. The constant pain only lasted a day but I have bruises on my left arm and legs. It only hurts now if I reach with the left arm but I am healing well. The bike will have to wait for a while but I hope to be back riding the trail before long, when all the snow is gone.

Down on the farm

The Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island travels mainly through the centre of the island, an area which is farmland. Industrial farms and remaining family farms come into view as we ride the Trail. Fields sometimes appear to go on forever as they stretch over the countryside. Now crops are beginning to emerge from the rich red soil.

Horses and cows/cattle are a common sight along the trail. I always stop to watch and admire the beauty of these animals. On a recent visit to the area of Grand Tracadie, these horses looked so peaceful as they grazed on the family farm. In the distance clover fills the field.

In and around Darlington, PEI, there are several farms with horses. Young foals in the fields were curious as we rode by. The older animals had more pressing needs.

Another day, before I saw cattle, I heard a flock of birds, starlings for sure. Then through a break in the trees, I noticed a herd walking through a field. I stopped to watch and listen to the birds and a young calf stopped to watch me.

The animals we encounter are often as curious about us as we are about them.

Further along, the main herd had settled in around their water source and frenzied starlings visited around them. 

In the pond, a female Mallard and her ducklings swam, unconcerned about the cattle nearby. It was an idyllic setting.

On the way back through the same area, what looked like a cattle trailer cut across the trail from a nearby field. 

Some of the cattle may have been headed to market. The reality of farm life for these animals is not idyllic though these cattle are not raised on a factory farm. They looked content in the pasture.

Country life is one of the reasons I love Prince Edward Island.