Summer 🥰 on PEI

There are so many topics we could discuss but I feel that while the universe spins upside down as of late, we could use a lighter read.

I thought I would talk about something close to my heart, Prince Edward Island (PEI) - our smallest but most beautiful province where I live.

PEI can be criticized for its politics, close-knit connections and small-town vibes, but it also punches well above its weight when it comes to beauty, culture and balanced lifestyle.

I feel blessed to have grown up in a place where I could run free with neighbourhood friends, walk to school and ride my bike wherever I needed to go. As far back as I can recall, I felt like summer days and nights were made of magic.

The term ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ was next level in our community. Whether you liked it or not, you had more eyes looking out for you than you ever knew about. While you felt free to roam, you were never far from a safe place to land.

I remember from an early age everyone’s favourite question was ‘who’s your father?’ That never changed much as I aged – well except it evolved to ‘how’s your father?’ Forget how I was doing! It was a heartwarming greeting I grew to love over the years.

It wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns especially for some of my friends who could not wait leave right after high school. While I understand why they wanted to see other parts of Canada and the world, I was not ready to leave my precious Island.

I did eventually move away to Ontario and Nova Scotia for a few years, but I made my way back home. As did several of my friends over time.

The Island has grown and developed significantly in the last 20 plus years and even more so in the recent years.

While we still have a small-town feel, we may not know as many people when we are in the grocery stores as we once did.

PEI is not perfect, but it is still one of the best places to live in my opinion. Some may argue with me, and I am okay with that, but I do believe that short distances to experience nature, excellent culinary cuisine and live entertainment makes it pretty awesome. There is a lot to offer in terms of local sports, dining and many activities to fit your interests. For a small place, it really does have quality product in many of our thriving industries.

At the heart of it all, is the compassion offered by Islanders supporting other Islanders. I have never been more impressed with the ability of locals to rally together for someone in need. Whether it’s helping a single mother get back on her feet, supporting a local fundraiser or donating to our food banks across the Island, people here continue to show how much they care for one another.

Growing up, my mother was a single mom, so money was tight. We didn’t have any extras, but if mom saw someone who was in need, she would pull the car over to the side of the road and pass a $20 bill to them. I remember what a kind gesture it was to see her do that out of the kindness of her heart. When she got back in the car she said, ‘there is always someone less fortunate so if we can, we should try to help however we can.’

To this day, she is still one of the kindest humans I know. I’ve always admired her ability to show compassion even when the world hasn’t always been so kind to her.

Her generous ways flowed over into our lives in many ways including our summer vacations. She always took three weeks off in August and we planned some really fun things to do together as a family.

She would pack up our car, and we would head off to the beach. We would stay there all day right into the evening. She would bring enough food, snacks and drinks to last us. Sometimes her friends would join us and they were so good to us too.

Before my grandmother sold her cottages in Stanhope after my grandfather passed away, we spent many summer nights there.

It was a magical place where life slowed down. I can still smell the scent of pine trees just thinking about it. The BBQ smells of steak and new PEI potatoes were pretty awesome too.

The best part was when mom would tell us to put our jammies on so we could walk down to the  north shore before the sunset. More times than not, she would let us strip down to our undies and go for a quick dip! OMG we loved it! She would be waiting for us with a towel held out to wrap ourselves in it to keep warm as we made our way back.

You never forget how someone makes you feel and mom knew how to make us feel so loved. How lucky were we to have that kind of love in our lives?

Moms are such special humans and we are so fortunate if we have one that fills our childhood with special memories.

We would also take some scenic drives to explore some wooded trails. We spent hours at Victoria Park walking through the woods and playing on the playground before grabbing ice cream at the dairy bar. Of course, I never missed a chance to climb up on the cannons too.

We would head out with no plan to do some sightseeing. My mom loved to take pictures of different sceneries so we would always be in search of that next picture. Whether we were along the shoreline or in the middle of nature, we always made an adventure out of it. It was fun to explore.

Vacation was about being together and she always made it an adventure for us. We could find inexpensive ways to do it. I think it’s through those experiences that I developed a deep love for the beauty of this province. The ocean is still where I go when I need to find peace and happiness.

PEI is doing something right when it comes to https://www.tourismpei.com/ If millions of people come here to visit us than you know they feel the power it has over you. It’s hard to put into words the feeling you get when you walk over the boardwalk towards a sandy beach hearing the waves crashing against the shoreline and the summer breeze sweeping across your face.

There is something in that salt air that sinks through your skin deep into you’re your veins like liquid gold. The feeling glistens your heart and becomes a part of you. You leave with more than a memory as you discover a place that brings out the best in you.

Have you and your family vacationed on PEI? Have you explored the many different areas? Have you tried one of the many authentic experiences offered here?

Did you know that the tourism industry is one sector that actually generates revenue? While other sectors continue to absorb more and more of our resources, we need the tourism revenues to help fund and support our healthcare and education systems.

A staycation is a wonderful way to keep those dollars in our local economy and better yet, you will discover new ways to fall in love with this insanely beautiful Island.

Whether you live here, are formerly from here, or a Canadian living elsewhere, it’s an amazing place to explore. PEI is the place you want to be during the summer and fall months.

Every summer, I make a PEI bucket list. Of course, I try to repeat my favorites every summer, but I also try to add new ones each year too.

Do you make a bucket list? What is on that list? Will you try one this year? What will you add to it?

Here’s a typical PEI summer bucket list for me:

• Basin Head beach day with the dogs with a stop at The Fiddling Fisherman.

• Bike ride rental from Bosom Buddies to Rustico for a bite to eat at Blue Mussel Café.

• Visit to Victoria by the sea and possibly doing a bit of kayakingtoo.

• Beach days at Savage Harbour.

• Walk at Greenwich beach with a visit to the St Peters Landing Shoppes. Stop at Nau Frage Snack Shack for a bite to eat.

• Beach day at Panmore Island beach.

• Try a Hopeful Picnic with friends at Prince Edward Island Preserve Company.

• Book the self-directed paddle at Indian Bridge and ending at the Leo Rossiter Park in Morell with Bayside Recreation.

• Check out King’s Playhouse in Georgetown for some great entertainment.

• Take a drive out to Point Prim Chowder House and stop at theCountry Taste Kitchen and Bakery for dessert.

• Book in the Love and Lobster package at Bosom Buddies in Cavendish.

• Evening golf at Fox Meadowsand grabbing some food at Lone Oak.

• Head to Malpeque Oyster Barn and then take a drive along the country and ocean side. 

• Head to Harmony House for one of their shows.

• Check out Jane & Sue chocolate.

• Hang out on the patios atSou’west Bar and Grill and Carr’s Oyster House.

• Drop in to the Cavendish Boardwalk. Go for a walk onCavendish trails with a must stop at the beach. And a stroll through Avonlea Village.

• Several visits to Victoria Row for tasty food and finds. Patio nights at the Cork and Cast.

• Stroll around downtown along the Charlottetown waterfront to visit the shoppes and grab a drink on the floating marina.

• Patio time at the Yacht Club grabbing some grub at Salt and Sol.

• Walks at Victoria Park along the boardwalk.

• Evening picnics at Tracadie Beach with some take out fromFin…and possibly take in one of their brunches.

• Check out Stoked Bakehouse on a nice day for some amazing pizza.

• Sunsets in Stanhope with some takeout food from Richard’s Seafood and or at Roe’s at Cove head.

• Biking on the confederation trail and walks on the beach.

• Family BBQs and nights on the patio with friends and family.

• Reading on the beach in between swims.

• Scenic drives to sightsee different spots across the Island.

• Several swims in the ocean on sweltering summer days and evenings.

• Random days playing tourists with friends and family.

• Take in some live shows at theConfederation Centre, Trailside Music Halland other local venues.

I am sure I have missed lots of great stuff but it is a work in progress?

What would you add to your list?

Any hidden gems you can share with us?

Jules xo 💜