Charlottetown   |   Accommodations: HI Charlottetown Backpacker’s Inn, 60 Hillsborough St, Charlottetown, PE

I wake early at 4:30 into the young month of July. I climb out of bed at 5:00 to shower and then descend to the kitchen to map out the upcoming section of walking, and enjoying tea as I post to the blog. I meet some guests newly arrived, and we get to talking about Newfoundland. They will be traveling to St. John’s via the long-distance ferry on which they will bring their car. From there, they will be continuing north into Labrador before returning home. I leave the hostel by 9:30, walking to the town of “Stratford”, the region of “Tea Hill”, “Kinlock Beach”, and “Tea Hill Park”. I stop to buy rice, couscous, granola bars, and pints along the way for the next stage of walking. The beaches are lovely, with families enjoying the sun while searching for hermit crabs in the low tide. As today is Canada Day, large tents are being raised anticipating the sun-loving crowds. I stop for pizza before crossing the bridge back to Charlottetown, snapping photos of some beautiful old brick buildings located along the waterfront. I pick up some snacks before returning to the hostel. I have a great conversation with the hostel volunteer, as he is interested in finding a new calling in his own life. He can envision a future in which he is working at—or running—a hostel of his own, in order to aid travelers through their own explorations. He is interested in making music and writing his own songs; he is interested also in writing long-form pieces about his own experiences of travel. We talk about the importance of acknowledging both the positive and negative feelings that surface when traveling. Understanding the underlying causes for each is important. Each is vital in a life well-lived, a life with balance. Understanding why I am feeling whatever way I am in the present helps to understand larger, deeper personal issues. These conversations have given me much to think over. Shannon and I enjoy cold coffee until another group of guests arrive and she is settling them in. I portion out the food bought this afternoon, preparing it for the upcoming section of the walk to the Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail. I say hello to some newly arrived guests checking in, enjoy a relaxing shower, and then retire to the 3rd floor loft to input receipts, distance, and steps. I then journal down this eventful day. Sinking into the evening with YouTube, the eyes heavy with sleep, tired with the energy expended on new experiences, sleep comes easily tonight.

Today’s distance walked: 25.49 km (city walking)    |    Total distance walked: 2,035.91 km