For some reason I couldn't get to sleep last night. I think the excitement of reaching P.E.I. today is really making me realize how far I've come. I'll be in Newfoundland in a matter of days and its starting to set in. Anyhow, I was up at 6 am and after a big breakfast I set off with Charles down 134. He showed me the various sights along the way including the J.K. Irving Centre in Bouctouche. We made great time doing 60 km with ease at which point Marthe caught up to us in the car and picked up Charles to return home. I bid the two farewell and set off towards P.E.I.
The tailwinds continued, pushing me along at a nice speed down to Shediac where I checked out the giant crazy lobster statue in town then continued along east onto 133 and turning left on 955 to ride along the coast and get a good view of the massive bridge to P.E.I. I eventually reached the visitor center near the bridge and had a gander through the museum before contacting the bridge transport and arranging a ride across (you cannot ride or walk it outside of a few yearly fundraisers).
The driver told me all about the bridge as we drove its considerable length. Apparently earlier that day it had been closed to large vehicles due to the high winds, likely from the passing storm Leslie. On the other side and after I was unloaded the driver bid me "Happy Cycling" as he drove off. I was tickled pink at this, its pretty much my mantra for this entire tour (and the title of a song I adore). I had covered 140 km at this point but the day was still young and weather great so I decided to push on another 55 km to Charlottetown.
Not far from the bridge and to my amusement I passed by a McCain factory. P.E.I. is famous for potatoes and the whole area smelled like french fries. Delicious! I pressed on down the TCH arriving into Charlottetown after sundown where, for the first time, I fell off the bike hard due to the crumbling shoulders but somehow came out without a scratch. I found ol' reliable walmart and set up camp for the night. Tomorrow its on to Nova Scotia!
