The break

Could it be? Are these the first signs of the spring thaw that will release the harbour from its winter blankets of ice and snow? Will the strengthening sun, offering its twelve hours of light now, be enough to offset the colder temperatures at night? Will the harbour soon break free again, released from its winter prison?

We pondered these questions as my husband and I walked along the shoreline this past week. Close to shore, there is open water in several areas now. Short days ago, the shoreline was frozen solid, exhibiting footprints of adventurous humans and animals, such as foxes. 

Now only the fool hardy would attempt to traverse anywhere along this shoreline, as slush is obvious in places. It is a hopeful sign to us who have felt trapped for months, prisoners to the gray light and bitter cold. 

We are waiting for the sun to release us now, sentence over for this year. Time to make plans for the days of light!

Besides, the geese are back!

Peek-a-boo

Being five

Caitlin, our granddaughter, is turning five. She is a tiny girl, capable for her age and loves to dance. 

Caitlin enjoys games, crafts, stories, puzzles and all the little girl things of the day, such as Shopkins. She adores her older sister, Sylvie, 

and is a awesome big sister to baby Owen.

She also loves her best friend Elliotte.

Caitlin was the baby of the family for four years but has been the middle child for nine months now. It is easy to be eclipsed by your siblings, especially when you are the quiet one. Since the baby receives lots of attention and the older sister is a verbal fireball, Caitlin had to re-establish her position in the family this past year. While her mother has been on maternity leave and as the oldest child at home during the day, Caitlin has blossomed and found her voice.

Her grandfather and I love alone days with Caitlin. We do activities she enjoys which include feeding the animals along the boardwalk. Having time when she alone controls the activities and makes the decisions such as where we’ll have lunch, are times she loves.

Every now and then, Caitlin says something you know she’s thought about for a while. Of her little brother she said, “He’s a nice boy but he’s too little.” Owen cannot play with her yet. 

Caitlin has empathy in abundance. Her sister was dressed in a costume for a special day at school and excited about the costume and the event. Caitlin, watching the scene, said to her mother, “I am so happy for Sylvie, Mommy.” 

This sweet little five year old has a special place in our hearts. Happy birthday sweetie! We love you to the moon and back.

Cavendish Beach in winter

Cavendish Beach is one of my favourite beaches on Prince Edward Island, though I have many. We have never been to this beach in winter so this fine day without the wind was a perfect opportunity to explore this favourite place.

The steps down to the beach normally have sand drifted over them. 

There is more than usual today and one doesn’t sink into it as usually happens. This sand is frozen but safe under foot from the gritty cover.

The beach isn’t as I expected. There isn’t sea ice back near the dunes. 

Rather an ice wall lines the shoreline and the tidal zone is covered in broken ice and snow. 

Closer to the dunes, the sand has ice underneath and the surface makes walking easy. This beach is flooded really, the water frozen, waiting for heat to release it to sink into the sand or flow back to sea.

At first glimpse, open water is beyond the ice wall but a closer look reveals the ice, a thin sheen over the surface.

It isn’t thick yet, though it had been if the ice wall is any indication. The freeze-thaw cycle this winter has been unusual, affecting the ice around the island.

My husband and I walked the beach this day, taking in the winter air and the setting. on a gorgeous winter day.

Then and now in Dunelands

It was a rare day, sunny, just above zero and without any wind or ice under foot. The north shore called to my husband and me, one of our favourite areas any time of year. We enjoy the National Park at Cavendish and wanted to visit the Beach and Dunelands in winter.

The Dunelands is near the entrance to Cavendish Beach. 

Macneill’s Pond, once an inlet of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, was formed when sand dunes cut off the inlet from the shoreline. Today a fence keeps people off the delicate dunes which are important in the prevention of erosion.

A floating boardwalk traverses the pond and provides a unique experience as the water laps underneath the walkway as it sways from the foot traffic. 

Not today though. 

The area is flooded from the recent rain, preventing foot traffic on the boardwalk. It is icy here in places as well, treacherous under foot. Today we just look.

The environment takes a beating for a few months every year.

 Before long, as the sun spends longer in the sky and has more heat, we will return to enjoy the other seasons among the dunes of Cavendish.

Out of the blue

Refuge

Nature has a way of making us feel better by reducing stress, anger and fear. In Summerside, we have a paradise for stress reduction in the community. On a particularly stressful day recently, I discovered first hand how good a refuge from stress our boardwalk really is. 

It was a glorious winter day! The sun felt warm, the temperature, just above zero and the air was calm. The boardwalk called to us. There were many other seniors out too. People greeted each other, many were the regulars we see every time we go. Everyone spoke of the gorgeous day because there haven’t been too many such days this year. All were determined to enjoy this one.

The forest was alive with birds. My husband and I recognize their voices now. The crows, 

blue jays, chickadees, mourning doves and woodpeckers 

all spoke to each other, filling the woods with their happy voices, as they too enjoyed the respite from the bitter cold. The woods sounded and felt happy as we walked.

In the river by the bridge, three muskrats played in the water, not bothered by the admirers who stood above watching them. 

Occasionally someone threw a peanut in its shell into the water. The furry rodents grabbed them quickly and disappeared under the river bank,

to emerge later in search of more. While the river has open water, an inlet to their den or push-up is still frozen. 

The furry creatures manage well under ice as well as water.

Two American Black Ducks were in the water too. 

They dabbled for food and preened themselves in the sun. Then the two tucked their heads under their wings, as they stood in the water. They didn’t mind the people standing a few meters away, watching them, talking among themselves, several with cameras. 

The squirrels approached as people stood admiring the muskrats and the ducks. They too wanted peanuts and looked at each person, watching for food. They were brave as they observed humankind but were prepared to run at any sudden move.

The setting was perfect and though there is ice as far as the eye can see, 

the heat of the sun, the sounds of the animals and their antics take one away from the worries of the world and life. The greetings of other travellers, the shared human experience and connection in nature’s living room were a refuge from the storm of life. Such an encounter helps one face the day! Time well spent!