Travelling with the kids: Hopewell Rocks and PEI (day 1 and 2)

Hello from PEI! I’m not  counting this post as work because it’s going to be a quick one and I wanted to share some pictures- plus it means I have them in one spot when I return.  Kind of like mini-live blogging, something I wish I had done last year.

Day one was a travel day and we drove from Ottawa to Saint John, NB.  It was about 12 hours door to door and that was with a couple stops (including a long lunch).  My kids are road warriors.  I give them full credit for being awesome when we travel.  It makes things much easier.

I’ve gotten pretty good at being prepared when packing too – drinks, snacks on hand, wipes easy to access, garbage bags to keep things neat.  There is a method to my madness!

The drive was also made easy thanks to the Ford Flex we are driving.  Seriously, it’s decked out with everything included a GPS system and Satellite Radio. My son named the GPS voice ‘Mona Lisa’ and she made sure we didn’t get lost (it happened last year when I was the only speaking navigator.  Ahem.)  So the car is officially smarter than me. The only note: I wish I could program the voice/personality of the talking GPS. Wouldn’t it be great if it was Benedict  Cumberbatch’s ‘Sherlock’ character speaking to me? I’d follow that anywhere. Obviously 😉

We  stayed at a Best Western in Saint John and it was perfect, just what we needed for our quick overnight stay (it had a hot breakfast included and a pool!)

Then we hit the road again  yesterday.  2.5 hours it took us to get to Hopewell Rocks, our next destination.  The road was winding and my ginger gravol seemed to help me, but we weren’t prepared for it affecting my son.  Car sickness is something he inherited.  But he was a trooper.

Hopewell Rocks: The only thing I will say is add it to your must-travel-to list.  They are stunning.

We walked on the ocean floor and played in the mud (you have to get your feet muddy! It’s part of the fun!)

Operation Eat-Lobster-Every-Day was a success at lunch when we had a lobster roll at a diner near Hopewell.

2.5 hours later (about) we made it to the cottage.  It was just as I remembered it.

Today, was all about the beach.  We have one right in front of the cottage so after breakfast and some playing on the deck, we hit the beach.  Then did groceries and hit the beach again, this time for more swimming since the water levels were higher.  It was beyond a great day.  One of my favourite things today: playing frisbee on the beach!

Tonight’s Operation Eat-Lobster-Every-Day is whole lobster that I will steam that we got from the local Seafood market that is minutes from our cottage.

Also, we’ve already went to Cows Ice Cream twice.  I’ve had the Birthday Cake and the Salted caramel toffee. Both delicious!!  We’ll be going often I suspect.

Note: I’m going to have to do separate posts about food, and activities and places we travel because there’s so much to share and I have people asking who plan on going and want some tips. But for now, the recaps will include the highlights!

Tomorrow: We head to Panmure Island for one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever found.  And more seafood.

After the kids are in bed, the deck and sunset over the ocean is calling my name….