Took the kids to PEI this week.  I figured that since it’s taken me nearly 40 years to get over there, I might as well ensure that they don’t have as long of a wait.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.

We stayed at a nice little motel, Abby Lane, which was conveniently located directly across from the Sandspit amusement park. It meant that didn’t have to deal with parking, although I don’t think that would have been a problem.  They appear to have sufficient space, especially considering we were there before they opened at 10am.

We were lucky enough to have a family pass to the rides, and good thing too, because the kids loved them!  I see that they didn’t inherit Daddy’s dislike of fast moving, high velocity spinning, incredibly high death-defying rides.  I never thought that they would ever like the ferris wheel, but they went on it several times.  Thankfully, I didn’t have to go on with them, or else it would have been a very short day! As is, our day was cut short by a torrential downpour that came virtually out of nowhere in the afternoon.  I don’t remember the last time that I’ve been caught out in rain like that.  What a great decision it was to walk to the park!  We were soaked to the skin.

I did manage to take some pictures and video.  I might get adventurous and try to figure out how to upload some video.

Before we left for PEI, I said “I don’t want to eat anywhere that I could eat in NB.”  I’m getting so sick and tired of fastfood restaurants, and I didn’t want to waste my time and money over there on something that I could get here. 

As we were driving past Moncton the munchies started to hit.  I could have stopped before the Confederation Bridge, but I wanted to push through and get something on the other side.  I didn’t know what, but I knew that I wanted something from PEI. 

We stopped at the first place we came across. The Starlite Diner.  Maybe it was the giant icecream cones that caught my eye. 

I’m on the road for a couple of days, and I’ve decided to drag along my laptop in case I was inspired to write something from my journey.  Don’t worry.  I’m not plugged into it.  I’m actually enjoying myself very much, but I wanted the option of being able to quickly check in along the way.  From reading The 4 Hour Work Week, I’ve envisioned the kind of lifestyle that I’m aiming for, and I’m hoping to make these mini-vacations a regular part of my life.  This time I’m in picturesque Stanley Bridge, PEI.

I’ve never been to Prince Edward Island before.  It seems strange, considering I used to pretty much live in Kingston, Ont for half the year, and I’ve taken the 4 day bus ride to San Diego three times, that I’ve never visited the tiny province so close to home.  Maybe it was because of the ferry, but the bridge has been in place now for quite some time.  I’m not sure what kept me from visiting before now.

The first thing I noticed as I came to the end of the bridge…  The earth really IS red!  I don’t know what I was expecting.  I guess I thought that SOME of it might be red.  I wasn’t expecting to see ALL of it (well, as much as I have been able to see) that colour.  The next thing I noticed.  Farms.  Lots and lots of farms. I’m pretty sure that all they grow here are potatoes, and judging from the two large McCains and Cavendish Farms plants that I saw, french fries are a popular export.  I did chuckle at one sign located at a local produce  market.  “PEI Potatoes… “   I mean, c’mon… we’re in PEI….  what other potatoes could you possibly sell here?  Do they import potatoes from other provinces, or the USA?  Would people even BUY other potatoes?  I dunno.  I just thought that it was a little humourous.

Tonight I ate at a cute little 50’s theme diner in Summerside.  Tomorrow I’m going to take a walk along the beach, and go explore a little more.  Unfortunately my mini-vacation is only 2 days, but it’s a well deserved break.

And maybe, if my Steve 2.0 plan works out as well as I hope it does.. someday..  this blogging on the road might become a regular occurance.