Walk on Confederation Bridge, 2017

 

Confederation Bridge

Sunday, June 18, 2017

"In addition to celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary, Islanders will also have a chance this summer to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Confederation Bridge.

The celebrations will include shutting the bridge to traffic for a morning run or walk.

One of the activities, on June 18, is the IWK Run For Families -- a 5-km, 10-km or half marathon run or walk on the bridge.

Le Chasseur said 10,000 people are expected to participate in the run or walk. To accommodate the IWK Run For Families, the bridge will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., he added."

The Confederation Bridge spans the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait. It links Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. The curved, 12.9 kilometre (8 mile) long bridge is the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water, and continues to endure as one of Canada’s top engineering achievements of the 20th century.

In March my sister posted that she was going to walk on Confederation Bridge on June 18. She asked if anyone was interested in walking with her. When the bridge opened 20 years ago, Jackie was one of those who walked across.

At the time of the post, I was starting to think about when I would travel to Nova Scotia to visit family. I told my sister, that I would sign up to walk with her.

Today was the day. My sister made it all the way across the bridge. (There were buses on the other side to transport the walkers and runners back to the parking lot on the New Brunswick side.) I made it to the 3K marker, turned around and walked back for a total of 6K. My sister and I had gotten separated. When I didn't see her, I thought she had turned around to go back. If I had realized she was still walking, I think I would have continued on.

It was a nice day for a walk. It was overcast and not too warm. After we finished, the sun broke through. We enjoyed walking on the bridge.

Monday we will rest for our Tuesday flight back to Ontario. Jackie will be flying with me to spend a week with us