Sea, Sand & Soul Retreat a Fabulous Success! (slideshow)
A message from Barb & Nina:
We’re just back from the Sea, Sand & Soul Nordic Walking Retreat in PEI that we offered September 12-16.
That’s most of our happy gang in the image above at our first-night meet-and-greet party!
The group was a fun mix of ages and Nordic walking experience. We weren’t surprised that everyone arrived with the friendly personality that Nordic walkers are known for!
A big warm down-east thank you to all of the Islanders who helped to make our event a success: Robbie Shaw, Jeannie, Chef Darius, and all the Shaw’s Hotel staff; cycling guide Ian; Charlottetown Nordic walking instructor Margie; Parks Canada’s Ethain; Tourism PEI’s Ruth; and Bryson, author of The Island Walk. You each helped to make our event a truly rich experience for everyone. And another big thank you to Nina’s Fred and Patrick who created the slide show (below)!
During our time together, we Nordic walked and cycled along the Atlantic in PEI National Park, practised yoga in the dappled shade of huge swaying trees, kayaked in lovely Brackley Bay, went out to a lobster supper, swam in the sea, saw Tall Tale Harbour at the Confederation Centre, learned from fascinating local guest speakers, and so much more!
We were a diverse group from as far west as Vancouver and Edmonton and as far east as Ottawa.
The week was a blast according to the feedback we received from the group:
“5 stars out of 5 across the board!”
“I came for the fitness.; I had no idea I’d make so many friends!”
“Had a fantastic time. Absolutely amazing. Great job Barb & Nina!”
“Thank you for a wonderful and unforgettable week!”
“Fantastic event, extremely well-organized, excellent choice of locale and accommodation.”
Though the focus of the retreat was being active in the beauty of PEI, we also learned plenty about the province from our wonderful speakers and daily explorations. Here are some of those interesting PEI facts:
The endangered piping plover nests on PEI beaches camouflaged by the shells and rocks. They are so difficult to see that dogs and other animals often unknowingly step on them.
PEI's beautiful sand dunes are protected areas that are critical to ecosystem health. Dune grass, which holds dunes in place, is sensitive to trampling.
Rip tides can be a hazard on PEI beaches. If one pulls you out away from the shore, swim parallel to the beach and then into shore.
There was a shark citing in PEI this summer! Or was it a porpoise...
The Island Walk is a 700 km walking trail that loops around PEI. It takes approximately 32 days to complete if you walk 20-25 kilometres per day.
Whiskey maple syrup makes a delicious glaze on Atlantic salmon.
Prince Edward Island National Park is the only national park in PEI. The 75-acre Shaw's Hotel, established in 1860, sits right in the middle of it.
Shaw's Hotel is Canada's oldest, continually family-operated inn and a Canadian National Historic Site.
It is possible, awkward but possible, to canoe with a kayak paddle.
Always be sure you are on firm footing if you step off your bike beside a PEI ditch.
Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation. PEI hosted the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 which led to Confederation in 1867.
An ongoing $17 million renovation to the Confederation Centre of the Arts has upgraded its lighting, seating and sound and added a second isle on the main floor. Tell Tale Harbour, starring Great Big Sea's Allan Doyle, is a must-see if you visit.
There are excellent shopping opportunities, thanks to local artisans and shopkeepers, even on a small island!
Eating delicious homemade pie every day at lunch seems odd at first but quite quickly becomes the norm.
The record-breaking Anne of Green Gables—The Musical has been playing for over after 55 years at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
The Confederation Bridge is Canada’s longest bridge and the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. The 12.9km bridge was built in 1997 and connects PEI to New Brunswick.
Potatoes are the primary cash crop on the island, and it is worth over a billion dollars per year.
The official PEI pronunciation of the word potatoes is pa-tae-tas.
Interested in learning about future retreats? Drop Barb a quick note here!
UPDATE, September 28:
Shortly after we all arrived back home, hurricane Fiona touched down in PEI with a vengeance. The North Shore, where we enjoyed our event, was particularly battered. We are relieved that no one at Shaw’s Hotel was injured, but the damage has been extensive. In response to an email we sent, front desk person Jeannie replied with this message:
Hi Nina & Barb:
Thank you for your nice e-mail. Shaw's Hotel survived Fiona with major damage to PEI, trees, beaches, power, homes, farms, etc.
The hotel lost the big barn as it collapsed in the storm, part of the hotel roof, lots and lots of trees everywhere. Trees around the hotel, the entrance lane, the deluxe cottages down the lane and lots on the path to the beach. The last deluxe cottage flooded with the storm surge and the boathouse floated away. A very scary night for all who were on the Island.
Everyone is safe and Robbie has lots of friends, family, staff, equipment etc. helping out and supporting him. They are all doing a fantastic job on the cleanup.
We still have no power other than generators, no telephone, no email, etc. I am answering you on my laptop from home. They are saying it could be another 4 or 5 days yet for power. Charlottetown has a lot of trees, power lines and poles down. So they are concentrating on that are first and the crews are on the outskirts taking care of the trees on the lines.
Shaw’s will look quite different for the next few years, but it did survive.
Take care.
Robbie, Jeannie and the Staff of Shaw's Hotel
UPDATE, October 7:
From Ian, our cycling guide: …George and I met at Shaw's and collected the bikes. Robbie, Darius and the rest of the team looked exhausted with all the work following the storm and power arriving just in the last couple of days on Day 12.
To read more and see images of the after effects of Hurricane Fiona, click on the links below: