Fort Amherst :: Go PEI! Family Hike


Saturday morning, the kids and I participated in a family hike organized by Go! PEI at Fort Amherst

From their website: 

"Go!PEI is a community-based healthy living program that offers free physical activity and healthy eating programs for Islanders across PEI.   go!pei is designed around providing information and supports to assist all Islanders to make simple changes to their lifestyle to improve their overall health and quality of life."

I have participated in their running clinic and in their Healthy Plate Challenge (still need to post about that!). I think it's wonderful that such group is here on the island. They have programs and events going on all the time. 

It wasn't very nice Saturday morning, a cool rainy morning but it didn't stop the little group from going on the hike. The family hike guide gave each of us a scavenger hunt list of natural things to spot and we all had apples as a healthy snack.

Fort Amherst is a national historic site, also known as Port-la-Joye. 



The site has been part of the Mi'kma'ki history and one of the first permanent European settlements on the island. 

We took the Old Harbour Path trail and the Skmaqan Trail. The second trail went along the water and its name means waiting in Mi'kmaq. The brochure from Parks Canada tells us that the trail has this name because of the "annual practice whereby Mi'kmaq leaders and Elders would assemble at Port-la-Joye to renew their political and military alliance with the French. Grand ceremonies of feasting, speeches and presentation of French gifts would take place in the area along the trail."



The area along the water is beautiful and with great views of the Charlottetown Harbour. We walked down to the water at this point. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing the red dirt and clay:


Many cruise ships stop in Charlottetown and we saw one arriving at the end of our hike. The kids loved watching the ship come closer and we all waved!


You can see another cruise ship closer to Charlottetown and the town to the right of the photo: 



We will go back on a nicer sunny day, hopefully soon or next spring. There is a lot of history to learn about and more trails. This site will also be perfect for a picinic! 


Click on the photo to see the timeline a little better

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