Grooming Day

When we get up this morning, there is a slight rain and it is bitterly cold with a strong wind, which makes it feel even colder. We decide to go into Charlottetown for breakfast and kill a bit of time hoping the weather will improve. First, we need to drop Maggie off at the groomer for a 9 a.m. appointment. She is not happy.

Downtown we find a place to angle park the RV on the street. One lane of the road is closed so the fact that the bike rack sticks out doesn’t matter and we are less than a block to the restaurant. The restaurant, Leonhard, has great reviews online and the restaurant itself is very inviting. Each coffee is individually made so no free refills. The food is decadent. My breakfast is more like a desert than a main course. By the time we have a second coffee (full charge) they call to say Maggie is ready for pick up. Poor thing, hands down the worst haircut she has ever had but she is at least clean and won’t be as hot.

Deb drops us off at the Confederation Trail in downtown Charlottetown and we head off across a bridge out of town. The worst part about cycling is getting across and out of town. Once we are clear of the city the traffic dies down and we connect with the old rail trail. Unfortunately, the rail trail doesn’t last and we are dumped back out onto the road.

The great things about the trail is little elevation and you are protected at least partially from the wind. On the road the pavement is a plus but the wind is now a major factor and we are faced with what could be referred to as nature’s rollercoaster with the occasional lung buster thrown in for good measure. I always say the wind is my friend it makes me stronger but I have no similar mantra for hills.

At the end of the ride we once again cycle on an old rail trail for about 13 km. After a few more km on the road with yet a few more hills we arrive at our campground, Somers by the Beach, just outside of Murray Harbour at the eastern end of PEI. A great little campground right on the water. After a long hot shower, our neighbours have cold beer, appetizers and a great dinner prepared for us. Yet another great day.