During our first motorcycle trip to Prince Edward Island (PEI) on our Honda ST 1100, we had a sunset experience that left us thinking even the most beautiful sunset is not worth going over a three hundred-foot cliff.

We were staying at Harbor Lights Cottages near French River. During a conversation with the proprietor of the cottages, we asked how we could find the best sunset in PEI. “You’ve already walked up to Cape Tryon,” he replied. “Apparently, it’s one of the best on the island.”

We decided to, as my spouse says, “give it a go” that very evening. However, we were a bit late leaving, so we actually thought we would miss the sun setting. When we got to the top of the hill and looked back, we could see that the shadows were definitely lengthening.

But, as luck would have it, just as we got to the top of the hill, a car stopped beside us. A man was driving and a woman was in the passenger seat.

“Do you know how to get to Cape Tryon?” the driver asked.

“Yes,” we replied. “In fact, we’re on our way there. Would you mind giving us a ride?”

“Not at all,” he said. “Get in.”

We climbed into the back seat. Because it was only a four- or five-minute drive, we didn’t bother fastening our seat belts.

“It’s the next right,” I told him as we approached Cape Tryon Road.

He made the turn onto the unpaved red clay road and stepped on the accelerator. Julie and I had walked up to the lighthouse a couple days before, so we knew there was a steep, three hundred-foot cliff to the rocks and ocean below.

We didn’t even have time to ask the driver to slow down. We both reached for our seat belts. As I fastened mine, and looked down to see my right foot searching for a brake.

However, the driver came to a skid in a cloud of red dust before we all tumbled to our demise, and we all jumped out. Julie and I were relieved to still be alive.

We took a number of pictures and talked to the passenger. She was a Japanese tourist visiting PEI. Like many from her country who visit Canada’s smallest province, she is a big fan of Anne of Green Gables, the character created by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

The sunset was as advertised: stunningly spectacular. We took a number of pictures, enjoyed the moment, and let our heart rates get back to normal.

When it was time to leave, the driver asked us if we’d like a ride back.

“No, thank you,” we both said in unison. “We’ll walk.”

We both came to the same conclusion. While there are sunsets to die for, there are none worth dying for.

Tags: Prince Edward Island, Honda ST 1100, Motorcycle trip