Successfully hooked up with Mary Anne who shuttled me to her B&B in Summerside where I’ll stay two nights (stayed here 2 nights going up, and now 2 more coming back down and going east).

I covered 12.3 mi (19.7 km) all on the Confederation Trail (rail trail), which was boringly straight— miles and miles and about half was coming back on the same section I went up on. The one pic says it all; I did manage to see a few sparse ticklers for fall colors.

The day ended with another dynamite cioppino at the Evermore Brewery, but this time topped off with a double-scoop of homemade rum-raisin ice cream at Holman’s Ice Cream Parlor just two blocks down from the B&B.

This is my last day at Kildare Lodge, a fabulous stay of 5 days. Kim struck the perfect balance with me: enough to take good care of the guest but not too overbearing to strangle him/her. The 15.8 mi (25 km) especially the last hr in 80 deg heat wore me down, but the extra bottle of Gatorade purchased this morning came in handy. Am trying my best to stay hydrated—so far so good.

Lodging is now confirmed at least 4 days ahead taking me to the midpoint (marker 16)—that gives me a comfortable feeling.

In SOCAL, you might see cars parked on the lawn, but here it’s a fishing boat as in the picture—quite a common sight. At 8.7 mi, a general store appeared, but it only sold antiques—can’t eat or drink those! Still used it as a mid-way break.

For dinner, Kim bought some lobster dip that I had with crackers, along with hummus, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, grapes and blueberries—and a cold beer. All this I had as a surprise thunderstorm blanketed the area with a huge downpour that lasted less than an hour.

I covered 14.1 mi (22.6 km) to end the day at the Kildare Lodge for my 4th night. The day started misty then became sunny and even turned warm. Along the way, I ran into a Kiwi couple, Mary and Andy, doing the Island Walk by camping. We shared experiences and continued on. 

Stacks of lobster traps could be seen everywhere, ready to be sold to fishermen as replacements—I’m told a certain amount of traps will get damaged or simply break. My noon snack was on the steps of an Anglican Church I passed. I also saw an oyster farm with row after row of oyster cages.  It’s not uncommon to see large fishing boats on the properties—I’m loving the seafood👍❤️

I treated Kim (Manager of our Lodge ) to dinner close by at the Northport Pier Restaurant—I had flatbread filled with Lobster along with a salad, and it was scrumptious (at 16 USD, it’s kind of affordable!). It was my own concoction as I try to avoid the breadiness of lobster rolls!

Today’s walk took me 12.3 mi (19.7 km) past North Cape, the northwestern most part of PEI. Most of the walk was with a misty fog and gusts of headwind up to the Cape which changed to sidewinds past the Cape. An exciting boardwalk 5 km nature trail just before arriving at the Cape offered astounding views of the landscape: marshland, sandstone cliffs dropping down to the ocean, black bog, all in the midst of the giant windmills whirring in the background.

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada hosts an interesting Interpretive Center at the Cape that I visited—very professionally appointed.

Other points of interest along the way include the many wooden lobster traps I spotted, the North Cape Lighthouse, and the Seacow Pond, a small fishing boat harbor.

Today’s walk covered 13.3 mi (21.3 km) from Way Marker 8 to 9 all on highway route #14 with essentially no shoulder. All the oncoming traffic, however, courteously veered away as far as possible. I was never far from the ocean and the oncoming breeze kept the mosquitoes from landing on me—no spray needed.

The surprise of the day came at the 8.6 mi mark as I arrived at the Stompin Tom Centre and had a great seafood chowder even with bits of lobster and listened to live country and western music—an outstanding break.

Kim picked me up at Way Mark 9 for my second of five stays at the Kildare Lodge, again as the only guest tonight.

Today’s walk from O’Leary started out on the Confederation Trail but veered away from it just short of the six-mile mark. While on it, I encountered remnants of the concrete foundation of a water tank used to fill the steam engine trains that ran on this track. They were all over, of course, but this foundation was conspicuously viewable as a piece of history. Note the solar powered outhouse right next to it!

The third pic has the colors of the French Flag with a star on top on each side of the driveway—a sign that the owners are Acadian (the French forerunners of our Cajuns at New Orleans)—small parts of PEI, along with New Brunswick, etc. compromise Acadia, home of the original 16th/17th century French settlers. There’s an extensive history here!

In all, I covered 14.6 mi (23.4 km). Near the 9-mile point, I really needed a break. In desperation, I turned into a driveway where I saw a man working on the wheels of his car. I asked if I could sit on his steps and take a break. That led his wife to invite me in for coffee and homemade fresh cinnamon rolls along with cheddar cheese. Tony and Judy were so delightfully hospitable—thanks to both of you. And what’s more, Tony authored a historic book about PEI’s abandoned properties and gifted me an autographed copy—a real treasure for me (see picture of book).

My stay is at the Kildare Lodge at Alberton, for 5 days. Kim stocked me up on food, and she’ll shuttle me the next five days. Although full last weekend and next weekend, I’m here alone during this week—and I mean alone—no one else here! Very peaceful. Last two pics enjoying a beer at Kildare Lodge.

I enjoyed a down day in Summerside after completing the first 80 miles of my Island Walk. I caught up on laundry and things, did  a bit of sightseeing, enjoyed a scrumptious cioppino the night before and a marvelous lobster BLT croissant with salad, and recharged for another 80- or so mile week.

Below is a picture of the B&B where I’m spending my down day—it’s close to good eateries!

My B&B from last night “Warm House” dropped me off at my new B&B “Summerside Inn” to check in and leave some of my things to lighten my load—they had family coming and couldn’t host me these next two days. Then they shuttled me to my starting point (and picked me up at the end of the day).

I proceeded to cover 14.6 mi (23.4 km) on the rail trail, pretty much straight again. The mosquitoes were especially pesky today and I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to buy some Off—I only needed to cover my hands, neck and face.

I have one picture of a bridge in the trail, only as a reminder that these were all railway bridges!

An old African proverb proved true today:

When you plan a journey, 
It belongs to you 
When you begin a journey 
You belong to it.

From today on, I feel I belong to the Island Walk.

I covered 11.6mi (18.5 km) on what seemed like a perfect day: temperature between mid-50s and mid-60s, light backpack (am still in shuttle mode), flat, no way to get lost, and only one mosquito attacked me (and s/he paid the ultimate price).

I walked entirely on what’s known as PEI’s Confederation Trail, a former railway track that tended to be straight as an arrow for miles on end. PEI bought the right-if-way in the 1990s and the 470-km recreational rail trail was born. The tracks were removed and stone dust was placed over the traditional railway crushed rock ballast, giving a surface suitable for walking/ running, and biking. Although well drained, marshes run along the sides where mosquitoes breed. Beyond the narrow marshes are agricultural lands: mostly potatoes and corn.

Every few kilometers, a bench or picnic table present a welcoming sight. I included a picture of the Linkletter mega farm whose owners, now 7th generation farmers tend to over 500 acres much of which planted with potatoes—their storage structures were most impressive.

The last few pics are of the Warm House B&B located adjacent to a local cemetery and where I’m staying for 2 nights. Noteworthy is the picture of a sidewalk, which you’ll only find on one side of the street—I’m guessing as a cost cutting measure.

My stay at the EBB Tide B&B was delightful with the hostess herself planning a Camino shortly; she and two of her best friends were celebrating a reunion after not having seen each other for many years. I left well after 9:00 and was shuttled to my starting point at Borden-Carlton where I started at 9:41.

I covered 15.2 mi (24 km) most of it with gusty headwinds and with my puffy jacket because it never really warmed up. On the way I saw many a newly harvested potato on the roadside trying to make a run for it from its fate in a frying pan!

With lodging getting scarcer as I go toward the northwestern tip of the island, it’s becoming more difficult to find availability. It took about 2 hrs of calls, but I think I have lodging for the next 8 days, including 5 nights at a hostel—still being negotiated. Shuttling can cost as much as CAD 100 (74 USD) per ride, depending on the distance.

Today I covered 13 mi (21 km), about 2/3 of it in a gentle rain interspersed with gusts of winds that tried to twist my poncho into a pretzel. A short piece of clay road became slippery with the rain, but I managed not to fall. I weirdly enjoyed the rain up until the nine-mile mark when I was seriously trying to get out of it to take a short break. Luckily I found a barn with the barn door open. No one was around so I made myself at home for about 30 minutes. After putting myself together again, I headed out expecting more rain, but it soon stopped. 

Along the way, several antique stores appeared with interesting goods including the one below with the VW bug and roof fan on top.

My destination today was at one end of Canada’s Confederation Bridge, opened in 1997 and claiming to be the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered water.

Today’s short 9.8-mi walk with the sun at my back started along the ocean to my left and agricultural fields to my right—lots of string beans and potatoes, even a potato stand selling 5-lb bags for 5 CAD. Most was along the shoulder of a two-lane highway.

Then, a stretch of clay road took me up straight through forested hills and offered some shade. Small gurgling streams added to the scenery. It didn’t last long before descending back down with views of the ocean. The last mile or so headed directly into Victoria directly toward its lighthouse, now only a colorful monument.

Noteworthy is that most all houses along the walk have no fences and their large surrounding lot is covered with well-cut grass. Each day, I must have seen dozens of mowing operations in progress, either by the home owner or a professional. These are huge lawns to mow weekly.

A perfect day for starting my Island Walk: 15.9 mi (about 25 km) and a high in the low 70s. I finished Section 1 and walked into Section 2 of the Island Walk itinerary. After leaving Charlottetown, I found low hills rolling through forests and agricultural farms: corn and cereals. My first dirt road greeted me at 10.1 mi—woohoo, as pleasant change from concrete and asphalt.

At my pre-planned destination, my B&B had me picked up and brought to the tiny town of Victoria, my overnight venue some 10 miles beyond where I stopped walking. I celebrated the day at the local Lobster Barn with their famous Lobster Roll (4 oz of lobster)—what a treat.

The pic of the day was a fellow hosing down graded dirt next to the freeway with a cocktail of grass seed, fertilizer, green color, etc. to seed it with grass. Never saw anything like it.

Arrived at Prince Edward Island (called PEI by locals) at about 12:30, a bit after noon. It feels surreal to be here after talking about it for over a year. The cabbie, who turned out to be the company owner, David, took me from the airport to the Rodd Royalty Hotel to claim my reservation and pointed the Island Walk Trail to me along the way—the hotel lies directly on the trail (not a coincidence), as shown by the pic of the hotel.

Would love to have celebrated my arrival with a lobster downtown, but the red-eye drained my enthusiasm and we’ll celebrate another day—main concern is to be well rested for my first day, around 15 miles and a fully loaded backpack. I ‘m eager to start.

The week of August 21st is the last week of training before starting the 700-kilometer Island Walk on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada. Sunday’s hike (Aug 20) was 11 miles with my full backpack (16 lbs). I journeyed from home to the Ventura Harbor, about mid-way and came back a different route. Tropical Storm Hilary caught me on the way back—I got good training putting on my pancho. You can see the fierce clouds at the Marina. I’m posting a few pictures just for practice.

Three of us (Ana and Joe Alcantar and Kurt Buckley) on this pre-hike encountered 10 stream crossings on the way up to Danielson Ranch (20 for the round trip). They're not unlike what you might encounter on a Camino. We crossed these streams using trekking poles and hiking shoes as well as my (Kurt's) usual Ecco sandals. The attached pictures describe the situation.

Although canceling this hike was an option, we decided that the three of us will still proceed with the hike next Saturday (as per final instructions) and give each of you the option of cancelling individually--although we would love to see you. If you decide to come, consider bringing an extra pair of footwear to slip into at the end of the hike. Trekking poles are a must to ford the streams.

If you cancel, we'll understand--but please reply to this email letting me know your name. You can also message me your cancellation at 805-218-1286.

Our group of about 30 walkers began our hike at about 8:00 AM at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center at 1901 Spinaker Drive, the far end of the Ventura Marina. However, we first  met at the Museum of Ventura County Parking Lot at 7:30 AM to arrange for transportation to the Marina.

We proceeded to walk around the Marina and picked up Anchor's Way on the Marina's north side, then meandered around the Ventura Keys and ended up walking north on Pierpont Blvd until reaching San Buenaventura State Beach. We continued the trail until reaching the Ventura Pier (incidentally, the largest wooden pier on the California coast from 1938 to 1995, at a length of 1,958 feet).

The Promenade took us from the Pier another mile up to Surfer's Point, then along the Ventura River (that was raging due to the recent rains) up to Main Street where we turned right and headed toward the Wall Street Murals via Ventura Ave. (aka the Avenue) and up Ferro Dr. (one of the three ways to hike up to the Cross). After a brief photo op at the Cross, we headed down a different way that took us behind the Ventura City Hall and down Main Street to the Mission, ending at Peirano's for lunch.

About 30 of us had lunch at Peirano's Restaurant after the hike, and then we conducted a book signing of The California Mission Walk, The Hiker's Guide to California's 21 Spanish Missions Along El Camino Real (a fully-revised second edition)--all six of us who authored this Guide were there.

This is a test post to try out the new website.

Day-14, Tue, May 10 from Rajka to Bratislava. Last day of walking was 13.4 miles (21.4 km). But I waited for today, Day 15, Wed to blog because my first place to visit in Bratislava was St. Martin Cathedral to give thanks for being able to do this Camino, and much more than that, for all the wonderful “figurative cloaks” and gifts in my life. With his birthplace in Pannonhalma, it almost makes to call this a St. Martin pilgrimage.

It’s a beautiful cathedral that dates back to 1452 and in 1563 became the coronation church for the kingdom of Hungary, including Austria’s famous Maria Theresa. Very close to the cathedral is an outdoor exhibit and monument bringing to light that in 1969, the Government demolished a synagogue because it was in the way of a ramp being built to a new bridge over the Danube—hard to imagine except in autocratic regimes. A walk up to the castle followed and then I became immersed in a complex history that involves the Celts, Romans, Slavs, and everything else that passed through here. My head is spinning with it all—but it’s all good.

On the way in to St. Martin’s Cathedral, I passed a huge outdoor military equipment exhibition: tanks, trucks, Apache helicopter, etc. Interesting! Then I passed a permanent facility with Lockheed Martin signage—my last employer! It was open to the public and, on the return trip, I went in free with my Lockheed Martin ID.

Then to my surprise: the ship, Amadeus, that we took 22 years ago for our Danube Cruise (where we met our now close family friend, Lucille) was anchored there waiting for their passengers to return from touring Bratislava—it only anchors for one day!

Today’s 10.2 miles (16.2 km) brings me to my last overnight stop in Hungary, a Camino guesthouse, no less, with appropriate stamp.

Tomorrow will take me to Bratislava, Slovakia, my final Camino destination. Now unlike most other lodgings, there’s almost always a restaurant close by; this evening, however, I made do with groceries for evening and morning meals, as can be seen from the picture. I also found it interesting that many cars in the residential neighborhoods now have SK (Slovakia)on their plates instead of H (Hungary). And a roadside gas station almost looked like our high-demand Costco gas stations. I’m guessing that being near the border causes folks to buy gas on the other side.

I also photographed the ubiquitous WWI and WWII memorials, this one solemnly decorated with black tulips.