Day: 19 of 35

Date: Tuesday September 27, 2022

Segment : 17 of 32
Segment Start: Bayview
Segment End:  Rustico
Stated Distance:  24K

Actual Distance:  22.02k
Start Time:  10:45
End Time:   16:30
Elapsed Time (hh:mm): 5:45
Walking Time (hh:mm): 4:10

Average Moving Speed: 5.3 kph

Average Moving Pace: 11:20 min/km 
Total Ascent:   212m
Total Descent: 230m
Average Temperature: 25.1C

Interactive Route Map 

Thoughts 

22 km from Stanley Bridge to Cavendish to Rustico, started in sunshine and ended in rain. It was such a beautiful walk today, mostly through PEI National Park along the coast. We each walked at our own comfort level, coming together at key lookout points. John is very curious and does a lot of extra exploration, catching up with us quite easily again. He can walk circles around any of us!

As we entered Cavendish a local invited us to the 'welcome center' at the Green Gables tourist attraction. They were giving out free (Starbucks) coffee and pastries, soup and stew for anyone who came in. All food was donated, intended to provide warmth and nourishment.  Everyone was made welcome whether in need or not. It was a lovely break in the morning.

Sadly, there was clear evidence of the ravages of Fiona. As we stood on the red bluffs 30 meters above water level we could see that surges of water had reached and washed away huge chunks of the bluffs and left behind much debris. It must have been incredible here on Friday and Saturday with waves that big; the power of nature is awe inspiring. It's so hard to imagine when the water looks so calm and flat now. With the loss of sands and grasses also comes the loss of habitation for birds and field animals. It will take years for regeneration.

We had a wonderful quiet moment as we stood on those bluffs, no conversation, just listening to sounds that were not of our making--waves, birds, wind...but the moment was shattered with the eruption of a loud human (natural) sound that put us all into gales of laughter. What a moment! No giveaways, not saying who...

North Rustico is a quaint fishing village, very picturesque. However, there were no services open at all, it is one of the areas that has not had its electricity restored. Things are slowly improving in PEI. This morning there were over 70,000 households without power, this evening that number has decreased to 59,500 households. 

As we come to appreciate the extent of the damage and the repair that this province faces we realize that continuing this trip is not realistic. We are walking towards the eastern shores where there is no still power and no indication as to when it might be restored. Resources continue to be limited--services such as gasoline and open shopping venues and it just does not seem right to be using those resources for our purposes. And finally, the couple that was to join us for week 5 of walking has had to bow out due to medical reasons. We will be walking for 2 more days with John and Jaellayna but then will begin our trek home again.

Contributed By: Jane Huiskamp

The Start (Bayview - Single Click For Enlarged Image)

Where We Should've Finished Yesterday, and Started Today

The Walk (Single Click For Enlarged Image)

Storm Surge Pushed Guardrail Out!

Needs No Comment

North Shore: PEI's Cape Cod

A Starbucks Warming Centre

Cavendish Beach

Storm Surge's Power - Displaced Piece in Background

Absolutely Beautiful

Cavendish Beach Walkway/Roadway

Inlet Into Rustico

Walking Into Rustico
Too Many Trees to Cleanup - Simply Marked

Rustico Beach

Beautiful Welcome Into Rustico

Welcome Matt Into North Rustico

Rustico Harbour

John's Photos

A Starbucks Treat From The Warming Centre

Massive Cliff Erosion

The Rustico Fisherman 

The End (Rustico)