PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
(PEI)
We took the new Conferation Bridge to PEI. This bridge is nine miles in length and
provides far better access to the island than the ferries did. It is not cheap
however, it cost $43.75 for an RV which is collected as you leave the island. For an automobile
the toll is $38.50. Don't think they have too many commuters to the mainland on a daily basis!
PEI is primarily a farming community and is often called the "Million Acre Farm".
The predominant crops are potatoes and barley, with other grains and hay playing
a secondary role. This makes for beautiful vistas of varying colors of green as
you drive around the island.
TOURING THE ISLAND
They have imported some of the double decker busses from London and use them to
provide tours of the the island and Charlottetown. We went took a tour of the
north coast and Charlottetown in one of these. A great way to see the sights. However because they
came from London there is no air conditioning. The day we went it was hot and humid and some cool dry
air would have been wonderful.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
This is the home that was used as the model for the home in the book, Anne of Green Gables, and
subsequent novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery. She never lived in this home but it was occupied by a
cousin of hers. It has been beautifully restored and now contains memorabilia of the early 1900's including
some of Ms. Montgomery's early things.
NORTH COAST
Part of the tour took us to the north coast of PEI. The color of the sandstone is red
because it contains so much iron oxide. It makes for beautiful colors and shapes and is
a great contrast with the blue sky and ocean.
WOODLEIGH
Col. Johnston, retired from the English military, started making large models of
prominent English buildings as a hobby. Eventually he got funding and put together
Woodleigh, a place to show his works. His model of the Tower of London is large
enough to walk through.
This is his model of York Minster Cathedral, second only to Canterbury in the
Church of England. The original building has a bell that is bigger than Big Ben and it contains two thirds of
all the fourteenth century glass of England. His replica was built 26 feet long and 12 feet wide and took
five years to construct.
WOODLEIGH FLOWER GARDEN
This was a beautiful flower in a beautiful flower garden. The name of this flower is Cleome.It was gorgeous!
The way it blooms is fantastic. After looking it up on the net, it was discovered that it is heat and drought
tolerant. Think maybe we will plant some in the Tucson garden. Of course we won't be home when it blooms! Boo - Hiss!!
THE BIRTH OF CANADA
This is where the delegates from the Maritimes and Canada met in 1864 to lay out the terms of Confederation.
This is what they called their union. It was the start of the nation of Canada as we know it today.