Day 2 – Mill River to Miscouche – 69 km (43 miles)

Today’s ride on Prince Edward Island took us from the coastal roadways to the Confederation Trail. The trail was built in the 1990’s following the discontinuance of rail service on the island. What was left when the railways abandoned the lines, was a beautiful opportunity for a bike trial down the center of the island. We left Mill River Resort after a hearty breakfast and had a short stretch on the road until we reached the Confederation Trailhead. Yesterday’s ride along the coast was breezy, but today was tough! We pedaled against a strong headwind all day. It never let up. At times I struggled to keep my bike under control as a swift crosswind would swiftly change directions. The battle of a ride was worth the rewards in the beauty of the trail though. Today’s views were ferns, wildflowers, songbirds, wild raspberries, and marshes all along the trail.

As we approached the little town of O’Leary, we came to the home of the Canadian Potato Museum. I’d heard it was well worth a visit, and noting that it was just one kilometer to the left of the trail, we set out for the short detour. However, I did not fully understand the signage. To me, the sign below was a fancy way to show the museum was to the left. But what it really meant was you turn right, then left, then left again.

When we couldn’t find the museum to the left, we went back to the trail and I checked the sign again. A very kind trail worker helped me to interpret the sign. If I’d noticed the two other directional arrows underneath, I might have figured it out, but I doubt it. We added some extra mileage with that mistake but had a good laugh. And now I know how to interpret directional arrows on PEI.

The Potato Museum was really well done and it was interesting. PEI is very proud of its potato production, growing 25% of the potatoes grown in Canada on this its smallest province. We passed farm after farm of beautiful potato fields on today’s ride. One of the nicest things about this museum are the people that work there. The two ladies behind the ticket counter offered to take our saddlebags while we toured the museum. They promised they would guard them while we looked around. As Jimmy was paying the entrance fee, an older gentleman struck up a conversation with me, asking about our trip, where we were from, etc. He pulled out a few travel flyers from the racks that he thought I’d enjoy and had some good recommendations on sights to see while on the island. He couldn’t find one particular flyer however. It was a detailed description of the lighthouses on PEI. He told me about a few of the surrounding lighthouses, but was sorry he couldn’t give me the pamphlet. I thanked him for his recommendations, and we parted ways and started toward the exhibits. As we passed the ladies at the counter, one of them said, that was the director of the museum you were talking to. He stops by from time to time to meet people and check up on us.

We were about half way done with the museum when the same gentleman came up from behind with the lighthouse flyer in hand. I don’t know where he had to go to find one, (there wasn’t one at the museum) but he found it somewhere in town, and was so happy to give it to me. He was just the nicest man. We talked a good bit more and he asked more about Kentucky and said he knew it was a beautiful state. I asked him if I could take his picture because he was so kind.

Just one of the friendly people we’ve met on PEI!

Once we finished with the museum, it was back on the bikes and back in the wind, but with more beautiful views.

We were in a fairly remote area today and the only lunch we could find was at a convenience store. Our seating area was on bales of potting soil out front as we watched the farm equipment drive by on the way to the potato fields. I enjoyed every bite!

We finished up our ride and I took a few more pictures. I really enjoy all the signage on the trail. I stop at every sign. All the bridges and gates are painted purple on the Confederation Trail, and easy to identify.

We were both very glad to arrive at the Prince County Guest House. It is a beautiful old farmhouse right across the street from a lovely church.

There weren’t too many options for dinner in Miscouche, but the town does have a food truck! We walked down the street and ordered dinner (a Halloumi crepe for me, and a cheeseburger and hotdog for Jimmy, along with homemade PEI fries) We brought our food back to the inn and ate on the back deck overlooking the vegetable garden. A delicious end to the day!