A couple more PEI days

Small boat dock in Summerside

 

On Sunday Cathie and Nancy wanted to see a rug-hooking exhibit in nearby Summerside so Pat drove us over. We took Pat and Nancy's bikes (Nancy's for me) so Pat and I could bike a town trail while the ladies were touring the exhibit. 

The town provides a multi-use trail (walking and biking) right out of a town parking area, along the shore for a couple of kilometres. A nice mix of open-to-the-water and more sheltered woodsy sections. The walking part is mostly boardwalk, while bikes should use the adjoining paved trail:

Short side trail for shore viewing

Several shelters and benches along the way

A windy day with some saltwater spray at times

Some fancy birdhouses along the trail

A view back to Summerside at the end of the trail

A huge deluxe development adjoining the trail has been under construction for almost 20 years, supposed to be completed within 2 years now. It will be a convention-type facility apparently, possibly funded by Oriental investors (?):

Solar-powered outdoor lighting

Back in town after the trail ride, we found that the ladies' plans didn't work out so well. The exhibit they wanted to see was not in the location they thought, which was open today. They had a hike to the real location, where they found that the exhibit was closed today. 

However the nearby tourist strip/dock area was interesting to browse, where a young singer was serenading the area with vocals featuring songs from Shania Twain (we thought it was Shania singing at first), Dolly Parton and others.

Not a large audience, but appreciative

Some nice-looking boats tethered nearby

No tours planned for Monday, just a rest and relax time. A lot of PEI businesses are closed Mondays, as quite a lot are open on Sunday.

We did get out for a hike right from the house on Monday though, along the shore across from Charlottetown:

A closer look at the bridge between Stratford (where we are) and Charlottetown

Nice boardwalk trail with some decks out towards the water 

An apartment building overlooking the trail and the water. All rental units apparently.

Nancy and Michael (Michael is one of Pat and Nancy's sons, so our nephew) were a bit behind us today on the boardwalk

Now we can prove we've been to Stratford PEI :))

 

Cathy and Nancy have been playing their traditional Cribbage tournament. I think Nancy is ahead this time. Pat joined in this time to make it a 3-hander:

A uniquely PEI cribbage board

 

Cathie did redeem herself with a big cribbage win today! 

The forecast is for rain tonight (Monday) and it feels like something is rolling in. PEI is very dry too, but not yet in crisis like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.