May 29, 2022.

Hello everyone,

Wow, the last few years have been a real uncertainty for all of us, and hopefully this year will see some normalcy in our lives. As I stated in my last post, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything on my blog site. As everyone probably knows, Covid has changed and curtailed my plans to continue trekking, especially my plan to trek across the USA. This year I was in the same dilemma as whether to start that trek, as I would have wanted to start at the beginning of April to make sure I could complete it before fall and the cold weather. By the time I decided it might be good to start my across the USA trek it was just a little too late to start.

Looking for an alternate trek to a least continue on an adventure, I found an interesting and exciting trail in Canada. It is called The Island Walk, which is on Prince Edward Island, Canada, the smallest province in the country, with a population of almost 160,000 people.

The trail is approximately 430 miles, covering most of the island from the top to bottom, or east to west. This is actually the first year the trail has been opened to everyone, last year being only open to the Canadians due to Covid restrictions. My understanding is that only about 200 people have walk the trail in various sections, and only 20 have completed the whole trail, but as far as I know, no one has camped the entire trail as I hope to do. Like my other treks, I will go unsupported and carry all my gear and food.

There are a few campgrounds, but not many near the trail, so I will either have to get permission from property owners to camp on their land (which I did in New Zealand), or possibly trek additional distances to find campgrounds off the trail. It is not permitted to wild camp, but if in an isolated area that may be my only choice? But, I’ll play it by ear, and lodging may be an only option.

I am flying there on June 15, 2022, start trekking June 18, and hope to finished by July 19, 2022. I have booked lodging for my first two nights in Charlottetown, the biggest city on the island, with a population of less than 41,000 people, so I can get acclimated and plan out my route. I was warned that although it’s the one of the nicest times of the year, it can get hot and there are lots of mosquitos and black biting flies. It will obviously be whole new experience for me as I know very little about the island or trail as I decided to trek this at the last minute.

I will also be dedicating this trek, as I did my privies trek, to my mother, who passed away from complications of dementia, and to all others who are and will be affected by this disease. I will be trekking to raiser the awareness of the disease of dementia (Alzheimer’s being under that umbrella), and for the Alzhiemer’s Association as part of the Longest Day fundraiser. June 21 is specifically known as “The Longest Day,” because it is the longest day of the year, and considered one of most challenging days of the year because of the length of time it takes in dealing with the disease for both the afflicted and the caregiver. For me to be fortunate enough to complete another adventure and challenge I have set for myself, and at the same time raise the awareness of the disease of dementia (Alzheimer’s), is a blessing.

To donate to the Alzheimer’s Association please click on the link below, or click on the QR code below. You can donate directly to the site, or even join the PEI Canada Trek team as a team member, and raise money on your own for the team.

http://act.alz.org/goto/TedsPEITrek

I hope you follow me through my adventure,

Ted