Continuing our trip across the Canadian Maritimes from Rivière du-Loup, we zipped across New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island.  (We'll tour New Brunswick and see the Bay of Fundy at the end of the trip.) 

We got our first look of fall colors along the way.

We enter PEI by traversing the Confederation Bridge.  This is the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters and links Prince Edward Island to the mainland at Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick.

This is one long bridge—especially in a RV pulling our dinghy car.  And it has a show-stopper toll too.  FYI- When we left PEI the toll was almost $60...all major credit cards accepted.

PEI is a unique area known for its manicured tourist areas and its pink sand beaches. Our first look from the bridge was spectacular.

We headed cross-island to our RV park in Cavendish, home of Anne of Green Gables.  This is a tourist beehive in the summer.  We hit it just after Labor Day and, except for the occasional farm equipment,  we practically had the place to ourselves.

The beaches are beautiful—the dogs has a ball.   The rainbow was a nice addition.

And we found picturesque lighthouses all along the shore.

We immediately drove part of the Prince Edward Island National Park.  This is a magnificent seashore reserve.

We stopped at Dalvay-by-the-Sea, a place where Canada entertained Prince William and Kate during their recent visit.

Dalvay Lake was a peaceful bird haven.

Then we meandered back to North Rustico at sunset.  

The lobster pots on the dock told us our fishmarket sold local...and our fresh fish was great!

We came back to North Rustico many times.  We found a great bakery,

And the famous Lighthouse Cafe.  Plus we hiked the beaches around the harbor and were treated to another eye-popping sunset.

The next morning we made a mandatory stop--we drove by Avonlea and the House of Green Gables—we couldn’t leave without a visit.

In the afternoon, we biked another part of the Prince Edward Island National Park.  It’s a fairly flat trail along the water and we found some great areas where we wanted to explore.

Taking off in the car the next day, we made it down to iconic pink beaches along Cape Turner. 

 A found a large cormorant colony as we hiked.

Poison Ivy is a big deal here.  And there were signs to keep dogs nearby  because coyotes swim or walk on the ice from the mainland.

Driving farther, we found a mussel farm in Spring Brook.   Now that we know, we have seen PEI mussels featured on several local US restaurant menus. 

 Sea birds were everywhere and some cormorants gave us a great show.

We had another great seafood dinner at Carr’s Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge.  This was a wonderful chance find.  We spent over an hour trying to find Richard’s Seafood in Stanhope.  Turns out it was a nondescript place on the side of the road we drove past several times…it closed for the season on Labor Day and we totally missed it!  We’ll try again if we are back in PEI—but will definitely call before heading out.  This community lives on its tourism. 

After dinner, we found a heron at the oyster farm at Raspberry Point. 

Our final day on PEI we head back across the Confederation Bridge and stop at the best gift shop ever.  Run by the provincial government, it's located at the foot of the bridge at Cape Jourmain and features work from local craftsmen--fantastic things at reasonable prices.  A must stop!

From there we hope to catch up with friends who have a home in by Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.