Aug 3 - Day 89 - Ecosun Hostel near Montague- 64.2km

PEI and the lighthouse as we approached 

The north end of the main island

Entry Island

Dinner at the microbrewery 

A view of the six joined islands, Entry Island is where the blue dot is.  

Another fun day filled with great experiences.  I had to catch the 0700 ferry this morning to return to PEI, and the town of Souris which is where I departed from on Friday.  The recommendation is that we arrive 75 min early.  It will take me 25 min to cycle there.   And I need about an hour for my morning stuff and pack up….maybe a bit more time as the bathroom is a long walk away, and I’ll start packing in the dark.  So the alarm is set for 0430.  

I got up and started packing in the dark…and was off at 0540….a bit later than I had hoped.  I thought the ride to the ferry terminal was mostly downhill, but still a fair amount of uphill….ok…pedal Lucille!!!  Harder.  Need some gum power to assist me!!!!  

I get down to the ferry terminal, and all I have to do is give my name, and the ticket is produced quickly.  They are just starting to load the vehicles….but I see three bike packers ahead of me.  We get on board the ferry together.   We say a quick hello to each other, grab our stuff and head upstairs.  

The sailing is great.  I got some views of the islands that are joined, and a little farther out is entry island….uninhabited, it’s the first island that we see as we are approaching the archipelago, uninhabited because it’s not joined to the other islands.  Only 6 of the 12 are joined.  The ferry is very comfortable, food was great, and many different areas to relax, a comfortable deck area with lively music playing, even at 0600 in the morning 😳

As we approached land, we were allowed downstairs.  I chatted with the three guys who are bikepacking.  Mr Spandex guy…muscular….towering over me just has a small tail bag…must have slept in a hotel.  He was asking me about my trip….he was amazed and kept congratulating me….I then looked at his bike….its a super expensive road bike.  The other two are heavily loaded….they spent a few days on the island, now once off the ferry they will drive to Halifax and tour a bit there.  They are amazed at my small kit!  They asked how will I adjust to the comforts of home when I get there!  Just fine I’m thinking!  I’m looking forward to having my morning tea outside while looking at my flowers.  Thankfully we’ve had a lot of rain, so they should be alive when I get home…..the pond….well that may need some work 😳

The cycling was difficult today….a cross wind at the start, that turned into a head wind for about 30 km….gusting up to 45km/hr….not easy with the busy traffic.  The last 10 km to the town of Montague, I managed to get into the trail system….heavily treed so I was sheltered from the wind.  

The hostel is about 6 km out of town, so I will grab dinner in town on my way through.  I stopped at the first place I saw.  About 40 people on the patio with music playing….fun!!!!   Then I notice it’s a microbrewery, and they serve BBQ.   Well it doesn’t get any better than this. The place is packed, but I find a spot, get a beer, order some food and sit to enjoy the air conditioning!!!!  I stayed about an hour….I felt bad taking up place when there were so many people waiting.  The town is empty except for this place!  

I cycled to the Ecosun hostel for women only which is my accommodation for tonight.  It’s a huge place.  I booked a 4 bed dorm room, but no one else is staying in my room!  Yeah.  The place is spotless, and they hang the laundry outside to dry.  I was greeted at the door, asked for my name, and when she noticed the bike offered for me to sit down, provided some bottled water, and wanted to hear my story!  Then she came outside to admire my bike.  Then I received a tour of the place.  This is the best place I’ve payed to stay at…because of course all the generous friends and friends of friends who have opened up their homes to me have been spectacular.  

So…..just putting it out there….girls trip next year….fly to PEI, use this place as home base and tour around.  

Tomorrow the plan is to take the ferry to Nova Scotia.  I need to cycle about 30 km to Wood Island for the ferry that will take me to Pictou NS.  Wind will continue until noon when it starts to diminish.