It is after all... an Island.

North Cape PEI

BEEN 10 days of medium to high winds around the old homestead.  After the last tropical depression went through the region, we'd been subjected to strong winds daily.  Not the kind that would overturn Boeings, but certainly BBQ's, patio tables, chairs and trash bins.  The flag has been fairly rippling... don't know if it will last the season.

Last week Chris and I went for a ride to North Cape.  He on his 535 Virago and I on my T Bird.  We went up route 12 along the coast, through small villages and narrow two lanes.  Although the wind was brisk, the temperature was hot, probably over 30 most of the day.

After departing rte 2 at Miscouche, we crossed several inlets arriving at picturesque Tyne Valley just in time for lunch.  The corner store with a coffee bar/restaurant/beauty shop.  You could grab breakfast, have your do done and pick up a liter of milk on the same trip!

What can I tell  you... the Island is picture post card perfection, manicured lawns, salt water rivers, green grass.

A fuel stop for Chris's thirsty V Twin in Alberton, where we ran into someone Chris knew, such is the Island.  Hard to travel anywhere without bumping into past customers or acquaintances.  The road bypasses Tignish, the last community before North Cape, and we pulled into the parking lot in the early afternoon.

Quick to strip from riding gear, the heat and humid air, almost suffocating, we tripped out to the point nearly the farthest piece of land on the Island.  Nearly I say because from here you could walk to a gravel bar at low tide that lies about 300 yards offshore. 

I was here several times last year with company, but since that last visit, someone industrious has taken the time to build about a hundred inukshuks.   Most about a foot tall but several larger than that.  Almost like stone age pygmies invading the Island!

Chris and I had a cold Coors Light at the bar portion of the attached restaurant/tourist center/gift shop, before venturing out on the return leg.

The only other bike in the lot was a Gold Wing flat six and some bicyclists from Idaho and Utah.  The gent was surprised when I asked if he was from St. George and he blurted out Hurricane, which is a half hour from there!

Taking a moment...

Post card perfect Tyne Valley

THE END!

Invading army of Inukshucks

Pretty little town

Escape from Prexports!

It was a headwind on the ride back, both of us gassing up again in Alberton, and south to Ellerslie.  We had a look around at the Yamaha shop there, not much going in it seemed, lots of the same bikes I saw nearly 2 years ago when I arrived.  Biz must be slow.

We got to ride about a 1/4 mile on brand new pavement, just about a drag strip length, what a joy that was.  Of course after that we were back to pot holes, pavement cracks and bumps.  We caught up with rte 11 that took us to Wellington on the SW coast and from there we hightailed it home along route 2, locally known as the "All Weather Highway."

I dropped Chris in Kensington and finished the 300 km, 8 hour day home in Spring Valley.