Family travel on Prince Edward Island: Part 2

by Aimee

A few days after our return from Prince Edward Island, I called my parents to catch up. Both of them remarked how relaxed I sounded and I suppose they were right. I really unwound over the eight days we were traveling, soaking in the laid-back energy of my surroundings.

We didn’t bring back any shells, driftwood or even a t-shirt from the Island, but I did return with a resolution to not get overwhelmed with the day-to-day demands of being a work-a-home mother. Easier said than done, I know, but taking things one day at a time helps, as does knowing how to de-stress.

Danny and I are are the same in that we both draw tremendous peace from nature. It could be field or forest, sea or sky, but enjoying a belle vista is one of the best ways we release our cares and let the breeze blow them away. Below are some of our favourite views from P.E.I. (and after that, a story about digging for our dinner!).

Everywhere, just everywhere, are emerald green fields that slope towards the brilliant sea. When the sun sets, everything turns golden – farmhouses, cemeteries, barns – and it’s impossible not to pull over and snap a photo. The one above was taken along one of the scenic heritage roads of the Red Sands Shore near Argyle.

Don’t you want to wander down that lane and see where it takes you? It’s like stepping into a Lucy Maud Montgomery book; there’s a story behind this graveyard on the sea, that is for certain.

This private beach was just down the way from Basin Head Provincial Park and was simply magnificent. It featured the famous ‘Singing Sands‘, gentle waves and a delicious breeze. We spent our last day on the Island here with friends and it was a rejuvenating finish to the trip.

A short hike along the sun-dappled trails of the Macphail Homestead was another favourite spot to stretch our legs on our way to Point Prim. Plan to stay for tea in the tea room if you go.

Victoria-by-the-sea had some of the best views of the trip, as well as chocolates and antiques. The beach wasn’t our favourite, but dinner on the patio at Landmark Cafe more than made up for any shortcomings on the shore.

We based ourselves out of Charlottetown for these excursions; staying at the oh-so-accomodating Hotel on Pownal. The place impressed us on our first evening with its complementary happy hour; a nice way to unwind after a day of chasing around three kids! Each evening, when I would head to the lobby with my laptop to work a little, there would be fresh baked cookies (no joke!) and a coffee bar for my enjoyment. And enjoy I did.

Charlottetown was delicious – I mean, delightful. From ice cream on the harbour to good eats at the best farm-to-table restaurant in town: Terre Rouge, we thoroughly enjoyed the local fare.

We picked up a picnic at the weekend farmer’s market one day, which is a fun change from restaurants. Local produce was in its prime and the market was an excellent way to see what the Island artisans and farmers had to offer.

A glimpse of the Charlottetown harbour at dusk, on our way to the P.E.I. Celebration Zone. A must, if you are in the area this summer.

Happy Clammers for an experience to remember

If the name is Gilbert Gillis isn’t enough to convince you (you have to be familiar with the Anne of Green Gables books), maybe the Island upbringing of our host is enough to persuade you to go clamming with Experience PEI. Named the #1 authentic experience in P.E.I by TripAdvisor, Happy Clammers is a culinary experience of a lifetime.

Gilbert has been fishing and clamming since he was a wee lad, and that is just the beginning of his accomplishments. On the sea-facing deck of his home, he regaled us with tales of  tending the Point Prim lighthouse with his grandfather, the longest running keeper of the lamp.

But first, we went clamming.

The setting, weather and company couldn’t have been better. After a quick explanation from Gilbert, we were soon discovering longneck clams at low tide. Digging for your dinner may sound like a drag, but it actually went much faster than I thought it would. The kids were really getting into it just when it was time to go.

Back at the house, Gilbert’s wife Goldie was waiting for us with a pot for steaming the longneck clams. Aside from being a kindred spirit and a stellar home cook, Goldie knows a lot about clams. In her comfortable living room, she gave us a crash course on varieties and best ways to prepare them before we were seated for dinner.

It was a clam feast, simply steamed and served with butter and warm rolls. Clam chowder followed after, as the sun slowly started to dip down into the fields of oats. We finished with strawberry shortcake and coffee brewed with freshly ground beans (it’s the little things).

Happy Clammers was indeed an authentic taste of Prince Edward Island. At dinner, my boys tried one clam each, then moved on to big bowls of chowder and rolls. I think they won’t soon forget our clam digging adventure; I know I never will. Thank you, Gilbert and Goldie!

We are already planning our return trip to the Island. There is still so much more to explore.

**Missed Part 1? Find it HERE.**

Disclosure: P.E.I. Tourism partially sponsored our trip on the Island. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

What is your favourite vista: field or forest, sea or sky ?

© 2010-2014 Simple Living Media, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of SimpleBites.net subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please contact kyle@simplelivingmedia.com to let us know. Thanks.