Hello America!: Prince Edward Island

Cavendish National Park September 12

The next stop on our journey is Prince Edward Island, Canada. PEI is 0.1% of Canada's land mass and the second largest producer of potatoes after Idaho. To get there from Camden, Maine is over 400 miles so we again opted to split the driving into two days.
The first day, after a pleasant and uneventful border crossing at Calais, Maine,
crossing into New Brunswick, Canada

we pulled into the Walmart at Sussex, NB.

our first Walmart overnight - more planned

We had called ahead and were told overnight stays we permitted and where to park. We arrived around 4PM (Atlantic time) to find a 40 ft RV already parked for the night. Within 5 minutes of our arrival, two more overnighters were parked as well. Needing some groceries, we bought what we could at Walmart, ate supper, went across the street to Sobey's supermarket (very nice) and finished shopping. Back at the RV we hooked onto the Walmart wifi, caught up on the news and settled in for the night.
The next morning we made coffee, ate, cleaned the windshield and headed out after the 8 AM traffic for PEI.
The travel was pleasant and after crossing the Confederation Bridge to PEI,
Confederation Bridge
the views are pleasant and trash free!
we arrived at Cavendish campground of Canada National Parks. Cavendish Campground.
Red Fox are frequently seen in campground
This is an outstanding park with wide expanses of red sandstone beach, salt marshes, grasslands, dunes and nicely maintained amenities. We had emailed to received our free Canada Parks pass months ago which get us into the sights free during their 150 year celebration of 2017. 150th anniversary of Canada
Our site is about 100 yds from the beach (Gulf of St Lawrence) and 75 yds from a beautiful salt marsh with a nice observation sitting area.
observation area
The Park has placed red Adirondack chairs here and at other sites with exceptional views. The weather has been sunny and mid seventies.

red chair area near our campsite

Our second day, after missing the entrance to Green Gables of Anne fame, we decided to drive a ways along the north coast, stopping for lunch along the beach and letting Cooper and CJ have a few minutes of off leash time.
Then back in the Jeep and over to the only round brick lighthouse on PEI, Point Prim. Point Prim Lighthouse. This is across the bay from Charlottetown, the capital.
Point Prim Lighthouse
restaurant overlooking the strait at Prim Point
Then back to the campground for dinner, dog walking and settling in for the night.
The beaches are quite different from what most of us envision. They are comprised of red sandstone and at spots, the beach is not sand but basically flat rock. the entire island is comprised of red sandstone and all the dirt is red from the oxidation of the iron coating the sandstone. This does eventually get removed along the beaches by the wave action revealing a yellow sand grain that is extremely fine in texture.

red sand

red sandstone on beach

One of the main attractions on PEI. is Green Gables, the farm that inspired the setting for Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. Anne of Green Gables Run by the National Park it is only a few miles from the campground and a nice visit with walks of the grounds that are remembered as Lovers Lane and the Haunted Woods. Look closely and you'll see Anne!
Green Gables from the Haunted Woods

Lover's Lane at Green Gables

Haunted Woods

A trip to the western end is worth your time. North Cape has a functioning lighthouse, a large wind farm, a nature trail and a nice restaurant.North Cape, PEI