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Confederation
Bridge Brings PEI Golf to the World
by Travelin' Tony T (Editor @ Large)
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trip to Prince Edward Island always had a bit of a mystical
side to it, the isolation of the island heightened by the fact that
you had to take a boat to get there. The reality was, during peak
times your joyous voyage was delayed up to eight hours, sometimes
overnight, by the droves of travelers queuing up for the Northumberland
Strait crossing. Well all that's over now, with the completion of
the much ballyhooed "Confederation Bridge" (even the name
was the subject of controversy!) With the political posturing put
aside, the Fixed Link is open and the tourists are rushing over
to the magic of P. E. I. in record numbers. |
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No
matter if you're for or against the "Fixed Link", you can't
help but be impressed by it's engineering wizardry. It's the longest
bridge over ice covered waters in the World (at 12.9 km)
and a site to behold, though you can't behold much from on the bridge.
To keep the treacherous cross winds of the Northumberland
from blowing your poor skoda into the drink, the sides of the link
are quite high, and except from certain crests, the view is a
rather concrete one. But hey, we just want to get to PEI and
do our site seeing over there. And with the link completed, the
once lengthy ferry crossing is reduced to a 10-minute drive at
the 60-click limit! Though traffic can be a definite problem
with only one lane each way. I guess double lanes would have been
a bit much to hope for, it was difficult enough to construct in
the first place! No need to slow down for the tolls on the way over,
you pay your 36 bucks per carload on the way back to New
Brunswick. The same goes for the ferry still running a summer schedule
from Pictou, Nova Scotia to Wood Island P.E.I. |
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There's
so much to do and see in Prince Edward Island that volumes
have been written about its beauty, serenity, charm, history &
warmth. Today we talk about its sport - GOLF! It really
is the sport that built the Island and with so many wonderful
courses in such close proximity, this is a great opportunity
to experience a lot of diversity in a short period of time. The
shrewder of the Island's entrepreneurs have perfected the package
deal to a thing of marvel. Accommodations, food and golf,
golf, golf. I must point out here, that I'm a "Travel"
writer who enjoys golf, not a "Golf" writer (as anyone
who's seen my sorry display of "whack it in to the woodsmanship"
will attest to ;-) If you want a technical description or a tip
or two, try PGA.com, here you'll find out how to ENJOY the
game !
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Our
destination was the rustic but modern, Wild Goose lodge,
just a few kilometers west of the bustling tourist Mecca of Cavendish.
Robust proprietor "Big Jim" Duggan welcomes all comers
with his rosy cheeks and way laid back attitude. You won't find
a desk clerk here at the Goose; Jim just pops in to your room
when he gets a chance to take care of the paper work. He's
one of the few of us who's been able to accomplish the nearly
impossible, make a living doing something he truly enjoys.
It's not hard for anyone to enjoy themselves here. This newly
constructed authentic cedar log lodge boasts six fully equipped
house-keeping units (five - 2 bedroom & one - 3
bedroom). Each with fridge, stove, TV, dishes, pots, pans,
etc. Drop upstairs to the lounging area (with big screen TV and
VCR), or step on to the back patio and breathe in the surrounding
countryside.
On to the Golf !
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