An island beach experience

It was overcast and breezy but the humidity of earlier in the week had disappeared and taken the heat warning with it. It was time for a beach day with our family and the golden grand-dog, Georgie. We packed our picnic lunch and joined them at Cabot Beach. 

We arrived in time for lunch in the picnic area where we were the only people present. After some time in the playground, we went to the beach where we added to the less then twenty people there for the day. As soon as we set up, the sun came out and the breeze made the heat bearable.

Our grandchildren love the beach and spend their time digging in the sand and swimming. They entertain themselves leaving the adults to keep a watchful eye and time to relax. My husband and I always bring umbrellas to the beach to provide the shade which we prefer.

While we walked the beach, Georgie walked in the water with our daughter and the kids. She was satisfied for five minutes then whined for us, firmly planted in one spot watching us so we took her with us.

There were bank swallows flying around one part of the beach but their nests weren’t in this area. The shoreline takes a huge hit from erosion every year now 

which causes sand to build up in the boat passage to the wharf in Malpeque. Dredging the channel is on-going again this year.

Marram grass has filled the upper part of the beach but the dunes have taken a hit over the past year.

 Driftwood far up the beach has weathered resting in the sand.

One of the things I love about this beach is the sight of the fishing vessels mere meters from the beach goers. The boats take care entering the dredged channel and many signal greetings to the beach goers as they pass. 

Meanwhile, near the entrance of the boat channel, a school of fish churn up the water, attracting the attention of the gulls. 

The fish are probably gaspereau, an Acadian name for alewife, a type of herring which move back and forth between salt and fresh water. They are moving upstream from the waters around Prince Edward Island to reproduce.

The interaction of nature, industry and people is interesting to observe in this place.

A walk in the sand at Cousins Shore

We hadn’t been to a beach recently and decided it was past time for a walk in the sand. We opted for Cousins Shore on the north central coast, about a half hour from home. It was a sunny day with a pleasant breeze keeping the mosquitos at bay, perfect for a walk. The sky had enough cloud to be moody.

Cousins Pond empties into the Gulf of St. Lawrence along this shore 

and a stream from the pond bisects the beach. 

We kept Georgie, the golden grand-dog on lead since several other dogs were off lead and Georgie is always anxious to run and make new friends. She was interested in the lone seagull which periodically waded in the stream. 

By late summer, small shorebirds love this place.

There is a sign warning of a strong undertow along this beach, so it’s not a place for swimming. The stream makes it a great area for kids to play however. Today the sea is rough with the advancing tide and its sound fills the air and the soul.

It looks wild and untamed as it crashes to the gentle shoreline.

The beach has small pieces of weathered driftwood and brown seaweed known as Fucus.

Huge sand dunes line this beach with Marram grass at their base and top.

The red sand beach stretches from deeper red sandstone cliffs east and west.

A few people walk the stretch of sand but this is not a beach frequented by many tourists. 

Soon the cottagers will be here for the summer though and more people will walk here, but not today. For now, the setting, sights, sounds and company make a perfect location for a walk and a picnic. 

Answers to question from a recent post: 

Elephant’s Child at https://myjustsostory.blogspot.com/ asked if it was normal for the basin area where the geese collect to dry up so quickly. The same thing happens every year in this basin. After spring run-off, it holds water. Before long it dries up or is absorbed into the earth below. This year, water lasted longer in the basin due to the amount of rain we’ve had. After a few sunny days though, the area is dry again.

Homestead Trail

There are a number of trails in the National Park on Prince Edward Island which my husband and I haven’t explored. Recently we hiked part of the Homestead Trail, which was a new to us. It was a beautiful day, without any wind and too early in the season for mosquitos. The day couldn’t have been more perfect.

The trail cuts through forest,

runs alongside New London Bay, 

ponds, 

sand dunes 

and farmland with fog rising in the morning air.

The trail is well maintained and flat but the setting is varied enough to make it interesting. There are benches and picnic tables along the way. We did the shorter of two loops.

Sea gulls, ducks, yellowlegs and geese abound as we hike the area. A squirrel enjoyed his perch atop an old piece of farm machinery and stayed while we admired him. 

However the most interesting animal for us was a snake. 

Being from Newfoundland where there aren’t any snakes, it was exciting to hear something in the grass just off the trail and discover the Maritime gartersnake. We watched it for a long time as it flicked its tongue and turned its head to follow our every move.

We had a picnic at the end of the trail. The day was a holiday and by the time we finished lunch, the area was busy with walkers and bikers. The crowd was a glimpse of the number of people who will visit the park this summer.