Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Just Another Reason to Vacation in PEI

P.E.I. ranked top getaway on continent

CBC News

Posted: Jul 3, 2013 3:29 PM AT

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2013 3:28 PM AT

Prince Edward Island has been named the best Island getaway in North America and fifth best in the world by the readers of Travel and Leisure Magazine.
P.E.I. finished ahead of international destinations such as Bali, Sicily and the Galapagos, and Vancouver Island and the Florida Keys in North America.
"To see Prince Edward Island included on the same list as Maui, Santorini and the Galapagos Islands in an American publication is a testament to the excellent product we’ve built over the years," said Tourism Minister Robert Henderson in a news release.
Henderson noted tourism is a vital industry for the province that provides more than 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs and accounts for seven per cent of GDP, the highest percentage of any Canadian province.
P.E.I. was in the top North American spot in 2003 as well.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Some Reasons I Love PEI

Sit back and take a little vacation! This is a beautiful video of one of the most beautiful islands in the world, PEI. And, yes, the colors are all very true to life and have not been touched up.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

A Ray of Sunshine on a Snowy January Day

It was unseasonably warm in Massachusetts in December. I was there for most of the month and rarely had to wear a jacket. Most days I was quite comfortable in a sweater. It really didn't seem like Christmas time at all. Now, a week later, I am back in Prince Edward Island, and the weather is overcast, cold and snowy. It is definitely winter now. Of course, winter brings thoughts of summer and sunshine, so if you are feeling cold, here are some beautiful summer pictures of the Blue Goose and surroundings for you to enjoy.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Cape Cod and PEI

Right now, I am sitting in a little hotel on the shores of Buttermilk Bay, Taylor Point, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The wind is howling and the surf is a little rough. As I look out over the many houses across the bay, I think of my own, sweet, little Blue Goose Cottage back in PEI, and I miss being there. Sure, without question, it is a beautiful place in the summer, but it is also wild and windy in the winter when the Strait freezes over and the snow coats the bank like icing on a cake. It is a powerful, surprising sight to one who has only experienced the "Gentle Island" in the summertime. Winter brings the full experience of living on an island. There is no ferry from Nova Scotia in the late winter and early spring because the ocean is frozen. High winds have closed the bridge when driving over two lanes high above the strait becomes too dangerous. The airport closes then, too. And we are left alone together on the island. Last year, in Greece, someone asked if I ever thought I'd like to live on an island. I told them I do live on an island. "No, but I mean a really, really beautiful island!!" "Yes," I answered, "a really, really beautiful island." Imagine preferring to live in PEI over Greece, over Hawaii, over anywhere else. I don't have to imagine it. I get to live it. Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Thoughts about Summertime in December


Photo of a red fox in the backyard, taken from the loft window

www.tripdvisor.ca listed Argyle Shore as one of the top five beaches in Canada in 2011

A walk on the beach

As always, I start thinking about summer vacation in December, and start counting the days in January! When I lived in Lowell, I always posted my cottage and beach photos on the refrigerator just after New Year, so I would have something beautiful and warm to look forward to. Now that we live so close to the shore, I often go for walks in the fall, winter and spring down the dirt road, usually with my daughter and her miniature horse. The road has just been resurfaced, so it will be nice and smooth in the summer when everyone arrives to open their cottages. Right now, the weather has been quite mild, and we have had only one snowfall so far, which melted quickly. Walks to the beach have been cool and pleasant this month. Just sunshine and a light breeze. The farmers' fields have been turned over for the new crop going in for the springtime, and the bald eagles ride the wind currents looking for small prey and fish. With no one in the cottages, and everything closed up for the winter, there is a real feeling of peaceful solitude.

Here are a few more photographs taken in the summer months. (Kathryn Sawyer took these photos, they are her original works and she retains all copyright in the images. It is expressly prohibited to copy these images without the consent of the author in writing). You will see more of her work in the future. Enjoy a day at the beach!


A view of Nova Scotia across the Northumberland Strait

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Welcome to Our Little Slice of Heaven


This is our private beach, for the use of our summer neighbors.

This blog is about our cottage, which we call the Blue Goose. It is located on the south shore of Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada, between the Confederation Bridge and Charlottetown, in the community of Argyle Shore, on the north side of the Northumberland Strait. The cottage is 300 steps to the beach down a quiet dirt road. We built it in 2001, and it has a kitchen/living room area, bathroom, two bedrooms and a laundry room downstairs, and a loft bedroom upstairs that looks out over the ocean. It has been our favorite spot for many years. Here are some pictures you might enjoy!


This is the Blue Goose Cottage. It is situated on a private half acre lot, surrounded by trees on three sides. There is an outdoor shower behind the cottage.