Today was to be the start of the first day of my trek on The Island Walk, but it did not turn out to be that way today.

“If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes,” it’s a saying you hear in many fast weather changing areas in the world, and I’ve heard it many times already here in the short time I’ve been on Prince Edward Island. The weather was a concern for me last night as I was packing all my gear for today’s start. It looked like heavy rain last night into the morning hours, then clearing late morning and early afternoon, but with thundershowers and heavy rain late afternoon. The Doppler radar map showed the paths of those thick green storm masses over PEI at those times. I was so unsure of what to do, and then decided just before midnight to hold off starting and I made reservations with another inn a few blocks away for today because the Eden Hall Inn was full.

Sure enough, I heard the rain through the night and into the early morning. But, by the time I had eaten breakfast and headed out the door it was beautifully sunny and warm. So warm I was sweating pulling the Wheelie the four blocks to the Colonial Charm Inn Bed & Breakfast, and questioning myself why I had not started trekking today.

Last night I had felt the start of a little sore throat, runny nose, and a cough and didn’t give it much thought. I was surprised how tired I felt, and overheated and sweaty for such a short walk to the inn, almost feverish. I could not wait to check in and get into shorts and take my boots off I was so hot.

The host at the inn was very friendly and helpful, like most people on PEI seem to be, and she actually helped carry some of my stuff up to my room. I was so exhausted that I laid in bed from about noon until I had to walk to get dinner about 6:00. I coughed, sneezed, had a runny nose and had a headache, and felt a slight fever the whole time. Thinking I had more than a cold, or even the flu, I tested myself with a home Covid testing kit, and came back negative.

I walked about five blocks to dinner tonight, which was at The Pilot, and it was great, but I had to force myself to finish it. Walking back was a challenge and I couldn’t wait to crawl back into bed.

So here I am, on my third day here, feeling sick and in bed. But I am grateful, yes, grateful, because I could have been out on the trail not feeling well the way I feel now, but also because of the weather. As I mentioned, it was bright and sunny much of the day, but around 3:30 it was as though someone had turned off a light and everything got dark. Thick black clouds rolled in and the wind started to blow, and then pouring rain, lightning and thunder. This went on for some time and I pictured myself feeling feverish and sick, trekking along the trail with buckets of water raining down on me, and looking for a place to camp! So my decision last night fortunately turned out to be the right one for more than one reason.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel tomorrow, so I booked another day (Sunday) here. And, if I am not feeling better in the morning, I may even booked another day here. It is frustrating for me to think about laying in bed, while on my adventure, instead of out there on The Island Walk. But, I have always said, “I’ve got to listen to my body,” and my body is telling me now, I need to rest.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Ted’s The Island Walk Alzheimer’s Association donation link:

http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=15144&pg=personal&px=16504635

Please excuse the typos, spelling errors, and grammar, etc., as my excuse now is that I am sick.