tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10250051851439880492024-03-06T19:34:45.352-08:00Another Day of Grace(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-87311839761702402492024-02-11T09:53:00.000-08:002024-02-11T09:53:30.596-08:00I'm Really Making the Most out of all this Snow!<p>Cape Breton is known for it's harsh winters especially when it comes to those raging blizzards in February and March. However, the last few years, we haven't had a good ol' fashioned blizzard with a lot of snow and that meant no snowshoing these past 2 years. </p><p>As much as I cursed the huge dumping of fresh snow we received here last weekend, I learned to embrace it and make the most out of it. After the shoveling was done, I set my eyes on finding some fresh snow to snowshoe and I did find the perfect spot...and the very next day, I was able to go snowshoeing again in another perfect spot. Imagine! Snowshoeing twice in a row after a two-year hiatus!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQNOsPdg0TADUS91MjbpkKjCB_TcfVJ5mejdfV92VaMiWkgweoLsJ5Ok6gNiJgb7mJXIvY9m7-VjXwHPv36xTY1GritUaPhLnjMWLsB7uzPjIF53fjuUJzutWB_f0pDtylLPZ_n1i4AJ5CAgECGQtxrcXy7iO_Qp2GIDSDsY6cfcS922dfySfhm-4Wh1d/s4032/423036547_406725815210623_7053059073287562613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQNOsPdg0TADUS91MjbpkKjCB_TcfVJ5mejdfV92VaMiWkgweoLsJ5Ok6gNiJgb7mJXIvY9m7-VjXwHPv36xTY1GritUaPhLnjMWLsB7uzPjIF53fjuUJzutWB_f0pDtylLPZ_n1i4AJ5CAgECGQtxrcXy7iO_Qp2GIDSDsY6cfcS922dfySfhm-4Wh1d/w480-h640/423036547_406725815210623_7053059073287562613_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>As the temperatures climbed all morning and into the afternoon, I decided to head to Dominion Beach to try out the snow there. It was 6 degrees and sunny when I arrived and I was afraid the snow had already melted or wouldn't be suitable for snowshoeing. I parked at the main gate and all I saw was seaweed and sand but no snow. I was assured by a friend that there was, indeed, plenty of snow once I got passed the bridge and sure enough, after trekking over rocks and mud, I was able to put my snowshoes on and trudge down the middle of the sandbar. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhoN6Gr3b0qCiKb6J2sFKDuVm9ecR_3MoHVaSp5M4Ufmy3OvPFUDKWA2Q0HjLp1RHPMd62WKiW_-gsOUZInUlPliH1SpP0spmVIqsvCsq20T12quLV2yEoKDNu6t0DsZT7RaNSHR0Mwyak_PLsKX29TgEldBBoFqzRCrYCWuSyOtImxWLfvyjDh1qps4F/s4032/426828339_1459897964940743_891833527519162225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhoN6Gr3b0qCiKb6J2sFKDuVm9ecR_3MoHVaSp5M4Ufmy3OvPFUDKWA2Q0HjLp1RHPMd62WKiW_-gsOUZInUlPliH1SpP0spmVIqsvCsq20T12quLV2yEoKDNu6t0DsZT7RaNSHR0Mwyak_PLsKX29TgEldBBoFqzRCrYCWuSyOtImxWLfvyjDh1qps4F/w480-h640/426828339_1459897964940743_891833527519162225_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I made it right to the end of the beach without having to remove my snowshoes and it was perfect! I had the beach all to myself and was able to enjoy the warm sun until it sunk into the horizon to produce a spectacular sunset. All the while, I enjoyed the soothing sound of the waves rolling ashore and seagulls flying overhead. Geese gathered in the bay and made for pretty pictures and I spent some time studying the various animal tracks in the snow. Hard to believe deer cross this sandbar because I never see them but their footprints are there!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk4O7S5dih57GRP3Sy9ms3Lw0hO0hNC-Yaijg8SYchGBpIFqtVHCc4FnS9mgSHF-LFZjI2ynP7a6vFKCftDMyvWoBCy59Dt6TtFjBX7wr84fvprAI4r4PjM7-PEb55FXPs7bo2AZ_J96CSnU1paqP4znpB_Vxspr930DoPTLuuCf3YUZOTtilMEMK1zrR/s4032/423105743_1058017965413446_1344910231802551569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk4O7S5dih57GRP3Sy9ms3Lw0hO0hNC-Yaijg8SYchGBpIFqtVHCc4FnS9mgSHF-LFZjI2ynP7a6vFKCftDMyvWoBCy59Dt6TtFjBX7wr84fvprAI4r4PjM7-PEb55FXPs7bo2AZ_J96CSnU1paqP4znpB_Vxspr930DoPTLuuCf3YUZOTtilMEMK1zrR/w480-h640/423105743_1058017965413446_1344910231802551569_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It was almost dark when I got back to my car. To be honest, I didn't want to leave at all. I could have stayed out there all night! Another storm is predicted to hit mid-week. I'm hoping it doesn't impact us like the last one but I also hope we get enough of it so those of us who love being outdoors in the winter can enjoy it a little longer.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK8zNCzHkfCMOIV4a4H914NJyhirb3eRsm3yqPGLl3MiVNiKvebot5QwaZN0nT86V45DfGFjvNfKNqvM-K8-ylGaFoevwGdFgdwcwgkp5vIAjyI90ibqUsaM2R-sydHfB9PfGy48i1tXhiQBPX0E9gRuetBuO-ydyGgHdTVl7VZTTxszusxpR2jOe1W2s/s4032/426742611_732236262221769_3108987090125200619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK8zNCzHkfCMOIV4a4H914NJyhirb3eRsm3yqPGLl3MiVNiKvebot5QwaZN0nT86V45DfGFjvNfKNqvM-K8-ylGaFoevwGdFgdwcwgkp5vIAjyI90ibqUsaM2R-sydHfB9PfGy48i1tXhiQBPX0E9gRuetBuO-ydyGgHdTVl7VZTTxszusxpR2jOe1W2s/s320/426742611_732236262221769_3108987090125200619_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-48407826432783441982024-02-10T09:58:00.000-08:002024-02-10T09:58:31.443-08:00The Calm After the Big Storm<p>Well, much can be said about the last week but I'll sum it up with this: SNOWMAGEDDON Cape Breton version. If you watch the news at all, you likely heard of the monster snowfall we received here over a period of 3 days. 160 centimetres. Record-breaking, in fact. It made the national news and I think it even made international news. Long story short, it took me three days to dig out (at one point I couldn't even find my car as it was completely buried!) and some people are still trying to clear their driveways as of me writing this. I had entire week off work due to the state of local emergency we found ourselves in. Nothing like a surprise, paid winter vacation! Too bad I can barely move my arms from all the shoveling. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqPCEdBTtj8njF5NbHQB_HLxFNpAPQM_1K7cziQnPp_ik8hATwCiBlGyb4VvHvauZ9rx2jZare8X4dPp8m1swU7Y_I5-ex7UfAfa6qAw0E7Dq-FNT0F0-bgMs9QKHJgUnd2A7b_4G_BTxrYlANjgzg_rimbx9C8ZCC9aWEFeKYUCYgpHmjsx3_kZ7UcYh/s3088/426433884_1682707248805283_6157775565194458079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqPCEdBTtj8njF5NbHQB_HLxFNpAPQM_1K7cziQnPp_ik8hATwCiBlGyb4VvHvauZ9rx2jZare8X4dPp8m1swU7Y_I5-ex7UfAfa6qAw0E7Dq-FNT0F0-bgMs9QKHJgUnd2A7b_4G_BTxrYlANjgzg_rimbx9C8ZCC9aWEFeKYUCYgpHmjsx3_kZ7UcYh/w480-h640/426433884_1682707248805283_6157775565194458079_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>As with everything bad, something positive always comes out of it, and this monster storm was no exception. Once I was able to get my car out of my driveway and safely navigate the streets, I set out to finding a place to finally enjoy my snowshoes after two winters with barely enough snow to use them. When mother nature makes snow, I make fun! <p></p><p>I set out with my father on a sunny, warm day and hit the trail in the nearby community of Lingan. It was so warm, I had to remove my jacket and gloves! Such a relief after the fury we experienced for those three days earlier in the week. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SoMXkfVMOKeaOw4mj1B_LOfj_uhKb-fDOIaWcWzms0E65kVpy2elfa0q2UpXS-8jo9euVhr9rhB0AfZQwkjFLBQcbDebcn9QfIkA7Ar-aQefXotU539AbFlmugsbSmOF1pJaiRzUpzwQfF_FHtZo1OFEdl9FHQXciOBUYDgMyb4TOaZGYGzP4s3XNxiZ/s4032/426458864_251408881338594_6419843122953069946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SoMXkfVMOKeaOw4mj1B_LOfj_uhKb-fDOIaWcWzms0E65kVpy2elfa0q2UpXS-8jo9euVhr9rhB0AfZQwkjFLBQcbDebcn9QfIkA7Ar-aQefXotU539AbFlmugsbSmOF1pJaiRzUpzwQfF_FHtZo1OFEdl9FHQXciOBUYDgMyb4TOaZGYGzP4s3XNxiZ/w640-h480/426458864_251408881338594_6419843122953069946_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The trail started out good with heavy, untouched snow and a smooth passage onto the pathway through the forest. It didn't stay that way, though. I had not taken this trail since before hurricane Fiona came through last year. I should have known there would be windfalls and debris. Let me tell you, navigating fallen trees in snowshoes is quite the challenge.<p></p><p>We made it to the clearing where several wind turbines and an old fort are and took in the white landscape set against the deep blue sea. The Newfoundland ferry was going by and it made a nice picture but as I was lining up my shot, Dad noticed something at the cliff edge. "It looks like a deer" I heard him say in a whisper as he crept a little to the right and forward to get a better look. Sure enough, it was a deer and although it noticed us, it didn't seem bothered by our presence. We took a few pictures and pressed ahead toward the old fort. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilghL-lHVBr8w_43YuBW0SQz69WCqxoXFZ6BxB0PgfD3T23YaViJZFJ1gGZd4m8JGw0mGeJIGx2rQ0XrPEPu6833C_lPYv_wLa1Li_mkosJzSqN7dFrBYuXUhxHCnjFlkq3Ka3ed85eAYhI-eSmQzIaDnIta4EwsyI6P-7ZfCW0C4UUyjzjoj8FxZdiB8-/s4032/426606739_775511980579917_4951022755177709331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilghL-lHVBr8w_43YuBW0SQz69WCqxoXFZ6BxB0PgfD3T23YaViJZFJ1gGZd4m8JGw0mGeJIGx2rQ0XrPEPu6833C_lPYv_wLa1Li_mkosJzSqN7dFrBYuXUhxHCnjFlkq3Ka3ed85eAYhI-eSmQzIaDnIta4EwsyI6P-7ZfCW0C4UUyjzjoj8FxZdiB8-/w480-h640/426606739_775511980579917_4951022755177709331_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Once inside, dad went to one of the windows to get a better view of the deer. "Come here, there are three more deer on the slope just below the other one!". I crept closer to get a better look and accidentally stepped on some gravel and glass that made a loud crunching sound under my snowshoes and off they went! "One, two, five, six, eight....nine deer" dad proclaimed. Luckily, I had my camera set on video ready to take a scenic video of the area and I hit "play" as they took off across the field. <p></p><p>The trail might have been a bit difficult that day but it was worth the effort just for that sighting! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMARlFSzcsLlBDZxU51A92hItz7FtfVgHFZh6p8jv0PeLirorhmQF3akR4ASoOVpKnkYZXwFldI1aw-E1Atq1XJh7RywLgutORDZvIeT5_75nxeVtK-6U0VJ-fplnMnMAztVEe49s0dtFWZA5oNM8F81_7-UYzbyVYilj90dH90AhLwAKFEwa-AqOKmbc/s4032/426458865_1877853655987273_576286180202535362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMARlFSzcsLlBDZxU51A92hItz7FtfVgHFZh6p8jv0PeLirorhmQF3akR4ASoOVpKnkYZXwFldI1aw-E1Atq1XJh7RywLgutORDZvIeT5_75nxeVtK-6U0VJ-fplnMnMAztVEe49s0dtFWZA5oNM8F81_7-UYzbyVYilj90dH90AhLwAKFEwa-AqOKmbc/w480-h640/426458865_1877853655987273_576286180202535362_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-11186344757198986262024-02-02T14:41:00.000-08:002024-02-02T14:41:48.185-08:00Hiking Along Cape Breton's Coal Town Trail<p>I've hiked many trails around Cape Breton, mostly in the Highlands National Park and around Victoria County but in recent years, I've made a point of trying out some of the trails closer to home, namely the ones close to my hometown of New Waterford and around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. </p><p>I've posted many times about my hiking adventures on the turbine road in The Gardiner and recently I crossed Gardiner Road and ventured alone the trail that leads to The Sandbar Restaurant in Dominion. Yesterday, I decided to pick up on that trail where I left off and see how far I get along the Coal Town Trail on the leg that travels from that restaurant and into the other nearby communities of Bridgeport and Glace Bay. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7Xr5HT1qMOaBypn2RNyBva5qt90DS-f0qYfxLpqvZP9_Mxb0y7oRNSxQBOx7oTgDla-TCeITrB1qjoiqmDcocwRRVCttlqdJBUMytqdOHBXj-J2EjDGrY0Kba_t0NSHkfxrgYg2w61A9nfLw2klRRaf_iE7BYqN7_Ky7-DMkJgeQz6zK6Ns_XVnUPtX5/s4032/420709532_305641222064976_4461598114869433753_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7Xr5HT1qMOaBypn2RNyBva5qt90DS-f0qYfxLpqvZP9_Mxb0y7oRNSxQBOx7oTgDla-TCeITrB1qjoiqmDcocwRRVCttlqdJBUMytqdOHBXj-J2EjDGrY0Kba_t0NSHkfxrgYg2w61A9nfLw2klRRaf_iE7BYqN7_Ky7-DMkJgeQz6zK6Ns_XVnUPtX5/w480-h640/420709532_305641222064976_4461598114869433753_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I went to work as usual and when my request for half a personal day was approved, I headed out at noon to pick up a friend and parked the car near the trailhead. I was excited at the fact that I had no idea what to expect along the way. This is what I love about hiking new trails!<p></p><p>There was no wind but it wasn't a warm day by any means. Below zero but comfortable with the sun peaking out here and there and our warm weather gear keeping us warm. We hadn't walked far at all when we spotted out first nature sighting. We heard it before we saw it. High up in a tree was a woodpecker pecking away at a tree trunk! </p><p>The trail started off in a kind of woodsy area but eventually opened up into a more urban landscape. Sure there were fields, trees and streams but the backs of houses were only feet away from the trail in some spots. Despite this, it was surprisingly calm and quiet except for the odd dog barking as we passed a little too close. There were horses too and some fantastic ocean views from the higher elevations. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDo6yx1EpBzSMXHOAMwFLMag2uO2v8nOq7edGMc2rWoqHfOczeIUG-BLb6uMYykiV35tEG1kTvMJehQZPvQno7_KcyUjoFZrTHUxr0aN1yCAamlJGCr269MaCNNFQpO2HjCJAtlS4GVbvhqdu2fqnVQ1HPGZiMND0djUvS0HS56UXHs_3STbzYWUumkfk/s2505/422586297_755246546480423_5826461438273610641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="2442" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDo6yx1EpBzSMXHOAMwFLMag2uO2v8nOq7edGMc2rWoqHfOczeIUG-BLb6uMYykiV35tEG1kTvMJehQZPvQno7_KcyUjoFZrTHUxr0aN1yCAamlJGCr269MaCNNFQpO2HjCJAtlS4GVbvhqdu2fqnVQ1HPGZiMND0djUvS0HS56UXHs_3STbzYWUumkfk/w624-h640/422586297_755246546480423_5826461438273610641_n.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>We walked and walked and walked. We crossed main roads and walked along quaint neighborhoods that I didn't even know existed. After we walked for about two hours, we pondered turning around but curiosity got the better of us and we kept going around another bend to see what was next. And than another bend and another....until we reached a dog park and a large pond with some benches. We stopped for a rest and when the wind shifted and the air started to cool as the sun started to set, we turned back and made the long journey back to the car. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhKDlbmHrp1inZJwAwIwE-HwQ7ohMOjMcg398ZcHquxuQQei0eO1fZDoGWD_gcaJmzqxHS2yXmCsX6U4Dbh5jG-Po4HsSJeg5h-LtMn7A8IVuUZJdhw5coNMsLtlKQlrbgKth1q9X756HoNaP1wqsC3vDPA8ZGw1OmsqN-wMNjGy742jpPqXDWpyYq9U2/s3088/422033069_853998326476601_9069087057891550888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhKDlbmHrp1inZJwAwIwE-HwQ7ohMOjMcg398ZcHquxuQQei0eO1fZDoGWD_gcaJmzqxHS2yXmCsX6U4Dbh5jG-Po4HsSJeg5h-LtMn7A8IVuUZJdhw5coNMsLtlKQlrbgKth1q9X756HoNaP1wqsC3vDPA8ZGw1OmsqN-wMNjGy742jpPqXDWpyYq9U2/w480-h640/422033069_853998326476601_9069087057891550888_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It was dark and cold when we got back but also energized from all the fresh air and exercise. It was decided right than and there that I would take another early day soon but next day we would park by that pond where we ended our hike and start up again there as the trail keeps going beyond that point. I never leave a trail unfinished and this one will be no exception!<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNcyd5qP97O0oc0kd4kcfQvYlQ07WitHKvvWfADitdKLQ1BTu-Y8gUB3YZ6wUiGzkZkaJJ-WSeiuoPIOV5wjVBxAr7pBiOzB3FgqMqEhY0LOdROSpnIY29EDUQlnBgLrQSzMRQP1w3t6KNGC1WgC7-cY776f6YyxA8xGIiMjDqLg2_sJo-MbWwOm_D4kZ/s4032/422342368_24662878496661264_6318327682787747751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNcyd5qP97O0oc0kd4kcfQvYlQ07WitHKvvWfADitdKLQ1BTu-Y8gUB3YZ6wUiGzkZkaJJ-WSeiuoPIOV5wjVBxAr7pBiOzB3FgqMqEhY0LOdROSpnIY29EDUQlnBgLrQSzMRQP1w3t6KNGC1WgC7-cY776f6YyxA8xGIiMjDqLg2_sJo-MbWwOm_D4kZ/w480-h640/422342368_24662878496661264_6318327682787747751_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-68552779607468802352023-11-24T04:44:00.000-08:002023-11-24T04:44:12.274-08:00A Late Autumn Hike to Uisge Ban Falls <p>There's something about late fall hikes. The cool air, the light snow flurries, the intermittent sun peaking behind those heavy, fluffy fall clouds and the lack of flies and other annoying insects. I mean, yes, you have to bundle up and trek through some mud and slippery fallen leaves, but the air is crisp and light with temperatures that aren't so hot that you walk at a snail's pace and not so cold that you're too stiff to move. </p><p>The day my friend and I took a hike to Uisge Ban Falls near Baddeck, we experienced such a day. A perfect day we'll call it. There was hardly anyone else hiking that day so that was an added bonus. I like being in the woods without crowds of people to disrupt the peace and quiet so I can hear the trees rustling, the birds chirping and the raging waters of the river and waterfall. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lu68scGlp2jgzZW79Is2eH2s2k0qAbhX3ELXoq5KHH6-uEIXzxsXeRlofb5fdOAzOBUOOPb1c_iIAclSI_h4E-Kp8VkmQfUqtV5Y7iAFiMq_ATUxWjA8uznLVHg9ZQmdZVVnSGCAkL0ilKNQVE8xxb15jzGUdufbZsT1X-ZvJPu2d-8Ra4QCK4vt4pfp/s1427/401683951_10161800398200961_8310034068342544972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1123" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lu68scGlp2jgzZW79Is2eH2s2k0qAbhX3ELXoq5KHH6-uEIXzxsXeRlofb5fdOAzOBUOOPb1c_iIAclSI_h4E-Kp8VkmQfUqtV5Y7iAFiMq_ATUxWjA8uznLVHg9ZQmdZVVnSGCAkL0ilKNQVE8xxb15jzGUdufbZsT1X-ZvJPu2d-8Ra4QCK4vt4pfp/w504-h640/401683951_10161800398200961_8310034068342544972_n.jpg" width="504" /></a></div>The trail isn't all that long but we stretched it out for two hours, stopping to take photos and admire the views along the way. We reached those beautiful falls and just hung around there for a while taking in the sights and sounds of nature before heading back to civilization. <p></p><p>Our hike was followed by a walk around of the nature campground that I never noticed was in this park before and a delicious lunch at a cafe along the highway. Winter is approaching fast and I'm hoping to get as many days in like this as possible before we are snowed in!<br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-91774447730782023152023-10-09T10:20:00.009-07:002023-10-10T13:59:29.101-07:00A Delightful Summer-like Fall Day in Southeast Cape Breton<p>What a fall we are having here in Cape Breton. A fall that seems like a late summer! And you know it's great weather when even the southeast coast of the island is warm, sunny and without the usual fog and wind. </p><p>I took advantage of a lovely day with temperatures predicted to reach 23 degrees with sun and light winds. I headed to the Framboise area for some hiking and beachcombing. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9t3QkmkWe656OSltPtZ62e9Q6X_M0js7QynWU7vruiJIC4hNb5-E2A3ctCETTWkeo-TAK1Jmj859aaxoTOU6PncFp5n7iOjY6uIBhPwjzTO58kGeshb6vT0mwyIuzYKs1OBsPuYrkJ_d3Ov6Rc67jPZwYTUlD0waLvbYWojLxaPO1Gfl6De5F0V0SwsO/s4032/387339595_810759794164689_6229403637618412378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9t3QkmkWe656OSltPtZ62e9Q6X_M0js7QynWU7vruiJIC4hNb5-E2A3ctCETTWkeo-TAK1Jmj859aaxoTOU6PncFp5n7iOjY6uIBhPwjzTO58kGeshb6vT0mwyIuzYKs1OBsPuYrkJ_d3Ov6Rc67jPZwYTUlD0waLvbYWojLxaPO1Gfl6De5F0V0SwsO/w480-h640/387339595_810759794164689_6229403637618412378_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I love this area of the island because it's remote and there's never anyone around so it's the perfect place to unwind and get away from it all. I started the day with a scenic drive all the way to Grand River and backtracked to the long, narrow gravel road that leads to Blue Lake and a pristine ocean coastline that I knew I'd have all to myself. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUMjDFVxX67WxXpwuxN8e6GCQ8E-ozLjDEeZRIK3YbPEpsXePVtrQerSMmdXPbWxmK5rRQeQxlrsYETrYZ61evBBoYOPzg4hyU1k5CIJ2xGwinumo2ed9zHdDjZMOKT-lRjUHTsZSv0-2NTPaQbkcIGHtcqnQsmnB2g-J7g4S_LosV1uefR4Pppphyjnh/s4032/387483393_873549710798732_6567311594370666742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUMjDFVxX67WxXpwuxN8e6GCQ8E-ozLjDEeZRIK3YbPEpsXePVtrQerSMmdXPbWxmK5rRQeQxlrsYETrYZ61evBBoYOPzg4hyU1k5CIJ2xGwinumo2ed9zHdDjZMOKT-lRjUHTsZSv0-2NTPaQbkcIGHtcqnQsmnB2g-J7g4S_LosV1uefR4Pppphyjnh/w480-h640/387483393_873549710798732_6567311594370666742_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I walked along the ocean in the sand until it became to hard too walk and crossed the dunes to walk along the lake. I intended to walk as far as I could see, switching back and forth between ocean beach and lakeside beach but I found a lovely little beach along the lake where the dunes were high enough to block the wind coming off the ocean. This is where I sat for a rest. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_gQ_Tu89tIdyOyviWImaOY65OOwrOFtUUn4jbYUwPpBFgNI81Uu4pS9JRBI-55ttio_rBK3Quw8xs7svfdKuqvQ_3CXc_FzYKiMzrpea92HhBpf9v46HdoT1099HbEUtTY3zeybRUZodDeEY8TtDfbU8hZVV7u0R7lwPGAM2kmPPOdRcvrXxoqmYs15f/s4032/387532586_291956840295279_1425836970188256090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_gQ_Tu89tIdyOyviWImaOY65OOwrOFtUUn4jbYUwPpBFgNI81Uu4pS9JRBI-55ttio_rBK3Quw8xs7svfdKuqvQ_3CXc_FzYKiMzrpea92HhBpf9v46HdoT1099HbEUtTY3zeybRUZodDeEY8TtDfbU8hZVV7u0R7lwPGAM2kmPPOdRcvrXxoqmYs15f/w480-h640/387532586_291956840295279_1425836970188256090_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Well, that rest ended up taking 3 hours! That place was so relaxing, quiet and scenic that I couldn't get myself to leave. I sipped on a cold beer and skipped some rocks in the lake but mostly just laid in the sand watching the eagles soar above and the white fluffy clouds go by. <br /><p></p><p>When I finally decided to get going, the sun was low in the sky and it was too late to keep hiking in the direction I had been going if I wanted to be back to my car before dark. I instead drove to St. Peter's for a coffee before heading home along the Bras d'Or lakes...grateful to have been able to enjoy another summer-like day this late in the year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFcMgRwi4OYoLbjMgJKbQEp56oXCC_laYbqSUvlyD79-x1ZmGWRMdb-wWPQA1EBu4Bwjs_mpOMcY7X5kSByZPAZC78rQ8gfN5zAh2pG5FKm90mDDmiZsQGvRcTOPLNMYgRsbs0fva_nr2QffhUPF0CUqlNHawGXZVxLJ7yzOaBUtwW3c2kmSwh1F9rj2C/s4032/387532574_841104491053324_202620190869405774_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFcMgRwi4OYoLbjMgJKbQEp56oXCC_laYbqSUvlyD79-x1ZmGWRMdb-wWPQA1EBu4Bwjs_mpOMcY7X5kSByZPAZC78rQ8gfN5zAh2pG5FKm90mDDmiZsQGvRcTOPLNMYgRsbs0fva_nr2QffhUPF0CUqlNHawGXZVxLJ7yzOaBUtwW3c2kmSwh1F9rj2C/w640-h480/387532574_841104491053324_202620190869405774_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-29430214104800888422023-10-09T10:10:00.003-07:002023-10-09T10:17:48.396-07:00A Day Trip to Jersey Cove with some Detours to Ingonish, Wreck Cove and Tarbotvale<p>It's well into October and the weather is still beautiful here in Cape Breton! I certainly picked a good week to use up some of that vacation time I have left and I've been using that time wisely. Swimming in the ocean, enjoying sunsets and moon rises and embarking on mini road trips whenever I can. I went on one such fall road trip the other day. </p><p>Jersey Cove is only about an hour away from home which means I get a nice drive to the country without spending a lot of time to get there. However, when I arrived, my friend who has her trailer set up there for the summer had other things in mind when I stopped in for a visit. "Get in my car. We are going for a drive to Ingonish". As I'm sure you know by now if you've been reading this blog for a while, I'm not one to turn down a drive anywhere let alone one to one of my favourite places in the whole world!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1QZKTsn-zb30rVIws50mCvBh17kxbFYTDMYjFTR53JaDVYVu_7_Ba52rpeJfjxAqKjFBRdvcVixK88boI0BYmClQQFdIdfLRg9jAGi1aOvBv7q_U-uTO9PNM_2ROSEmShwqgP8EPqp9os2EotFfzWfyqvIXWRkFq1eCYrKulx48Vmhhtd3hMZ5TLzOlC/s4032/387336512_1258852691471839_5180485666289730323_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1QZKTsn-zb30rVIws50mCvBh17kxbFYTDMYjFTR53JaDVYVu_7_Ba52rpeJfjxAqKjFBRdvcVixK88boI0BYmClQQFdIdfLRg9jAGi1aOvBv7q_U-uTO9PNM_2ROSEmShwqgP8EPqp9os2EotFfzWfyqvIXWRkFq1eCYrKulx48Vmhhtd3hMZ5TLzOlC/w480-h640/387336512_1258852691471839_5180485666289730323_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We did eventually make it to Ingonish but not before making a few stops along the way. Some coffee and delicious crepes at the Dancing Moose Cafe and a visit to a new-to-me remote beach in Wreck Cove. I love exploring places I've never been to and it amazes me how many places I have yet to explore on this little island! <p></p><p>In Ingonish, we hit all the usual stops; Ingonish Beach, The Point, Broad Cove Campground (I was interested in seeing how many tenters were still around in case I wanted to embark on one last solo camping mission before winter) and a drive around the grounds of the Keltic Lodge. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXES3aycc1CcANPSc_lHkNEUj8gv-tlIAgLrr-9FSbA8CKKheJiGEnzBM0k4Nc2QqpyohhPFEQ4D1gNSswAXE_D7XvfmJp4OGCsSHQxE8H2uI1nzpBm9X25RE6XHt6Y0S-GHr8t-p7gsZKQ7T4cYDn65yMjcQzU6vGY1_joBiwWVzlcNQ3unGrylgZsuS5/s4032/387576431_729322085681069_7413818991667378570_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXES3aycc1CcANPSc_lHkNEUj8gv-tlIAgLrr-9FSbA8CKKheJiGEnzBM0k4Nc2QqpyohhPFEQ4D1gNSswAXE_D7XvfmJp4OGCsSHQxE8H2uI1nzpBm9X25RE6XHt6Y0S-GHr8t-p7gsZKQ7T4cYDn65yMjcQzU6vGY1_joBiwWVzlcNQ3unGrylgZsuS5/w640-h480/387576431_729322085681069_7413818991667378570_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the way home, we made a last-minute detour before arriving back at the trailer. Instead of going straight to the campground, we turned right towards St. Anne's and then made another right onto the gravel road to Tarbotvale. Years ago, as I was exploring the back roads of Cape Breton, I drove up an old wood road and found some amazing scenery but was never able to find the road again. After searching all summer for that road, I had a feeling it might be this one so we took a chance and drove up it. I immediately recognized the views and knew that this was the road I had taken years ago. A sense of nostalgia came over me but also relief as I had often wondered over the years if I dreamed about finding that place or if I simply couldn't remember where it was. <p></p><p>It was almost dark when I headed home across the channel on the little car ferry, over Kelly's mountain, across the Seal Island Bridge and along that long stretch of highway that led me home again. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJi1TJQztUNBV3oS2dL_WAlbaY9FfOdki_ej2axoR1vslOlradXWMNkwc47c2pxVZeFc9sj919RU2Pas8oZTsn2E1PCAxIzTBUpHjZVjK8GeBP30kZzQQo5QAik4WGXtf2W0vnknmqWn-ve8Hs3LRK7gS6AfEXbHGaJemIJkNn8MmS54mivGSX2AC2Sph/s4032/387488865_268080362881246_658369480515442513_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJi1TJQztUNBV3oS2dL_WAlbaY9FfOdki_ej2axoR1vslOlradXWMNkwc47c2pxVZeFc9sj919RU2Pas8oZTsn2E1PCAxIzTBUpHjZVjK8GeBP30kZzQQo5QAik4WGXtf2W0vnknmqWn-ve8Hs3LRK7gS6AfEXbHGaJemIJkNn8MmS54mivGSX2AC2Sph/w640-h480/387488865_268080362881246_658369480515442513_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-14603903425393102642023-10-05T14:31:00.000-07:002023-10-05T14:31:18.695-07:00A Final Sunset Swim at Inverness Beach<p>Summer is usually a beautiful time of year in Cape Breton, weather-wise. However, the summer of 2023 was not so great in terms of the number of nice days there were. I recently heard that it was the wettest summer on record. I believe that; I'm sure it rained at least every second day and at times, it rained for days at a time! </p><p>The swimming season was off to a late start and it wasn't until much later in the season that I finally made it to my favorite beach at Inverness and when I did make it there, I made sure to go back as much as possible. I went three weekends in a row and each time I went, I thought it would be my last. The weekend at the end of the first week of September was my last beach trip to Inverness and it was perfect in every way I can think of. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhFjGdmVi4tfZU76yC5ciswRW2u645SvE9fuTYLuwl9sSKBqIdF7jfM-o8hmuHDHM3Wr4Fd0DnQoB6caivnmMKM6XReLaxJLSCBUl5BpLl6MB_Z_yZxEH5RzwPXdy8c7VPbV3-xCHqbW4_7bMK9MowB7KTEQJhvFVbj6NIh_rUkK9BKnKmJ_SqD2VPi60/s4032/378102700_675035791207892_2240919750848687700_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhFjGdmVi4tfZU76yC5ciswRW2u645SvE9fuTYLuwl9sSKBqIdF7jfM-o8hmuHDHM3Wr4Fd0DnQoB6caivnmMKM6XReLaxJLSCBUl5BpLl6MB_Z_yZxEH5RzwPXdy8c7VPbV3-xCHqbW4_7bMK9MowB7KTEQJhvFVbj6NIh_rUkK9BKnKmJ_SqD2VPi60/w480-h640/378102700_675035791207892_2240919750848687700_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> You may be wondering why I love the beach in Inverness, Cape Breton so much. Well, there are many reasons besides the fact that it's my favorite beach. It's sandy, It's long, the water is always quite warm, the scenery is nice and the sunsets are incredible. That's why when I plan a trip to Inverness Beach, I plan it strategically. Everything has to be just right. The temperatures need to be in the mid-20s at least, low winds to the south and low probability of rain or other adverse weather conditions. I always leave very early in the morning but the main goal is to always be on the beach right before sunset no matter what. That's the highlight of any day spent in this magical place. <p></p><p>On that final day I had on Inverness Beach, it was calling for great weather and ideal conditions so I set out early and drove straight to that little town on the west side of Cape Breton Island. It seemed strange that there were hardly any cars there when I arrived as I usually have to search for a while before finding a place to park. I drove right to the edge where I could look out over the water and was even more surprised by what I saw there; Very high tide, rough water and lots of wind. I was crushed. I drove all that distance to be faced with the worse kind of conditions for swimming. <br /></p><p>I knew sometimes conditions changed later in the day at Inverness and because low tide would be that evening, I thought I had a chance at enjoying a sunset swim. I left Inverness and drove to Cheticamp, had a coffee, sat on the boardwalk for a while and took a scenic drive along the back road at the foot of the mountains before driving back to the Margaree area and stopping at Chimney Corner. The water was nice and calm there and there weren't many people around. At around 5:30, I drove back to Inverness. I was right! The conditions had changed and by that time, it was a perfect evening for a swim in those warm, clear waters. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPsEt05VNKp1OTCamcsu0cCmKdnO2aAvgedT78nLvqbX8-x7YJ6eqtYLKbb87r0unvyXkbupmP31jtzYsugFEjlSGxYrlf4bkRUOQwR7DhCSrFyi_4Iio5vxWZGQiEWlfZz8nPc8H1ioslYdtnLdhFmz5X0Re-OHIQLQWTCMt-CZHlcQINalrpM_G6xAI/s4032/378103340_285847900858025_3137019506707834463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPsEt05VNKp1OTCamcsu0cCmKdnO2aAvgedT78nLvqbX8-x7YJ6eqtYLKbb87r0unvyXkbupmP31jtzYsugFEjlSGxYrlf4bkRUOQwR7DhCSrFyi_4Iio5vxWZGQiEWlfZz8nPc8H1ioslYdtnLdhFmz5X0Re-OHIQLQWTCMt-CZHlcQINalrpM_G6xAI/w640-h480/378103340_285847900858025_3137019506707834463_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> I set up my towel in my favorite spot and headed right for the water. On the way, I met up with a friend who had the same idea. It's always nice to have company when swimming in the evening especially later in the summer when the rip currents seem to be prevalent. I tried not to think about the two tagged Great White sharks that were lurking just offshore from Inverness Beach. One in 16 million chance, right? Nothing will keep me out of the water, not even the sharks!<p></p><p>There was a nice rolling wave that evening and the water was as it always is; clear right to the bottom. I stayed in for about an hour, got out for a bit before sunset and than just before the sun went down, I entered the water one last time. I swam right into that spot where the last rays of the lowering sun come down over the water and swam into that beautiful sunset. Nothing is more relaxing. I could have stayed there forever just floating in that red strip of light on the clear, blue sea. </p><p>I didn't want to leave because I knew it would likely be my last trip there for the year. But I had a long drive home and I would be alone on that long highway through the Margaree Valley. It's days like this that I think about when the snow is falling and the days are cold. Thoughts of sunsets, clear ocean water and warm breezes keep me going during those long winter days. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSuLD9HC5FIlIUvQmQcOyrti2N_Of5VA7T-VIMinuW8MvNdjw82Zutf1eNBgtaiAFLd7AzaZa9KFpSYDT0E8Hlx2kPt7wR8hRapeAiXZ5VeVmUFHOhyzmyKX9YQGmVP3gEKNJ_RZISsUCxr2cmh-XwbckhlKrp3zJMjcQ_800ob0vKggAx_T39qXUS8Mu/s4032/378130924_326697383144078_3592173673825920432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSuLD9HC5FIlIUvQmQcOyrti2N_Of5VA7T-VIMinuW8MvNdjw82Zutf1eNBgtaiAFLd7AzaZa9KFpSYDT0E8Hlx2kPt7wR8hRapeAiXZ5VeVmUFHOhyzmyKX9YQGmVP3gEKNJ_RZISsUCxr2cmh-XwbckhlKrp3zJMjcQ_800ob0vKggAx_T39qXUS8Mu/w480-h640/378130924_326697383144078_3592173673825920432_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-27166307921758810942023-10-04T17:50:00.000-07:002023-10-04T17:50:18.617-07:00Finally....2 Days in a Row Nice Enough to go Camping!<p>Cape Breton summers are usually very nice with plenty of sun and long, warm days. In fact, summers are so nice here that I rarely leave the island this time of year because I don't want to miss those long, lazy days of an East Coast summer. </p><p>It's been quite different this year though. Lots of rain, humidity, north winds and clouds. And it just so happens that I booked my yearly summer vacation during the worst part of the summer. It rained almost every day. Fortunately, there were two days close to the end of it that worked out perfectly to allow me to get a camping trip in before heading back to work. </p><p>I planned to go for two nights in Ingonish early on and to Framboise later during my vacation but it didn't quite work out that way. I did get to camp in both places but it ended up being one night in Ingonish and one night in Framboise. </p><p>I left early that bright, sunny morning, grabbing some coffee and breakfast in Bras d'Or along the way. Check-in at Broad Cove Campground wasn't until 2 PM but I went straight to the check-in gate to see if I could set up early. No one was at my site at that time so they allowed me to get in and set up so I could be on a beach and in the water by lunchtime. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo2En7ZNPEFQeUF191zeu5FlnOLbf7aOuzlKH9Hz6CKaGERmEVsAf4wf2_GGg8Twl83AeYilEtyZk0Oi9cvyiuHM0ZUFbfe8V4rb36AobXpwRWbDFO_pWgG5vk5Mg04c3gNG31OKlObk_glUCMLrcaeTcyRlIjUAEgWfYIafb-eZpKJgVytDEpdQV_3VQ/s4032/378123010_275031765422518_5916541965485770444_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo2En7ZNPEFQeUF191zeu5FlnOLbf7aOuzlKH9Hz6CKaGERmEVsAf4wf2_GGg8Twl83AeYilEtyZk0Oi9cvyiuHM0ZUFbfe8V4rb36AobXpwRWbDFO_pWgG5vk5Mg04c3gNG31OKlObk_glUCMLrcaeTcyRlIjUAEgWfYIafb-eZpKJgVytDEpdQV_3VQ/w640-h480/378123010_275031765422518_5916541965485770444_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> It was high tide and most of the beaches were full of rocks and the surf was high. I ended up at The Point where there was plenty of sand and the water was clear and calm. I spent a good hour there before taking a long walk along North Bay Beach where I sat and watched the sea until the sun started to go down. I didn't have time to pack any food for this trip so I ended up eating some home fries and onion rings. I don't normally eat so poorly but I always treat myself on these yearly trips!<br /><p></p><p>After a walk along the breakwater at The Point and a drive from the Keltic Lodge to Neil's Harbor and a detour to Warren Lake, I headed back to camp. It was almost dark when I returned so I turned on the solar lights and went for a walk around the campground followed by a cold beer as I sat and watched the stars until it was time to turn in. Fortunately, it was a warm night so I could sleep soundly to be ready for the long drive to Framboise the next morning. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k5rrVrRb7NdqU8TeOxuygXzuFmUUFQQlajBcyA9YzHSbli0jsj8pdgEgW8xRWvIQjbf6OWRffxYb7denADMwx7CAo1_g3tMwoZJUxTGM2NRx0n-jZy3kgBx96qXsTpLpamYr8XYDTReGw9rnE7lBDVHqJdWRNTkFy8ABUgob5YboKIFvjps0bAmaLoPG/s4032/378106094_3394272477552069_1885493826528294883_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k5rrVrRb7NdqU8TeOxuygXzuFmUUFQQlajBcyA9YzHSbli0jsj8pdgEgW8xRWvIQjbf6OWRffxYb7denADMwx7CAo1_g3tMwoZJUxTGM2NRx0n-jZy3kgBx96qXsTpLpamYr8XYDTReGw9rnE7lBDVHqJdWRNTkFy8ABUgob5YboKIFvjps0bAmaLoPG/w480-h640/378106094_3394272477552069_1885493826528294883_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Normally, I do my trip to Ingonish and trip to Framboise separately but due to time constraints and weather, I did them together this year....which meant a 3-hour drive from Ingonish to Framboise after I checked out of Broad Cove Campground. Back over Cape Smokey I went, along the North Shore, over Kelly's Mountain and across the Seal Island Bridge. Instead of driving straight through to Sydney, I turned off on the Route 4 in Sydney River and drove towards St. Peter's. <p></p><p>I arrived at the camping spot Dad and I have been using for almost a decade. I quickly got set up so I could relax for a bit before taking a long hike along the beach. This late in summer, nightfall comes earlier. After our hike, we went for a drive into St. Peter's for a coffee and some supper and headed back to camp just before it got dark so we could get the fire started. This is my favorite part of any camping trip; that quiet time at the end of the day when you can sit around the warmth of the fire sipping on a cold beer and watching the night sky with the sound of waves crashing on the shore below. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXXI9OzHZ3tfjo7slBN_EhfII4Zpf7ygWGmo0LUihSW_6oCNCFrtLqbH-92r4Zzbaf7SEiwOJBuGZ4ZbvPFUso773IlfWEmK1H5A9wLgOxNMpTamdCEtWweio0Bms8EjSC3Z_GXsjcJA_Tgs8LHU9w38V-5uN7mF9DqX9xo8Zn0HVdK2BMAdi9VBhdfog/s4032/370334790_2018259925184102_5768922285656715953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXXI9OzHZ3tfjo7slBN_EhfII4Zpf7ygWGmo0LUihSW_6oCNCFrtLqbH-92r4Zzbaf7SEiwOJBuGZ4ZbvPFUso773IlfWEmK1H5A9wLgOxNMpTamdCEtWweio0Bms8EjSC3Z_GXsjcJA_Tgs8LHU9w38V-5uN7mF9DqX9xo8Zn0HVdK2BMAdi9VBhdfog/w640-h480/370334790_2018259925184102_5768922285656715953_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> It was warm that night and I slept soundly despite not having a mat or soft surface to put between me and the ground. I prefer it that way. I feel closer to the earth and to nature. I awoke to the sound of some kind of animal prowling around my tent. I could hear it but by the time I exited the tent, whatever it was had taken off into the woods. <p></p><p>With the campsite torn down and everything in the cars, Dad and I parted ways. He turned right on the Fleur-de-lis Trail to go fishing in the brooks along the highway before heading home. I turned left on the same road and headed to Point Michaud Beach for a refreshing dip in the ocean. And the drive home? As always, any drive along Route 4 with the views of the Bras d'Or Lakes is a good drive.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-uS20zjMhgo_1SXeLbIlSurdSlxPRZCUCABMVdDKDK-d7hHl4UKh5neFsAqE_1OZLF77gC__-guLEjMPCCUP0UFHO98Q9av00nemSAgts5V1Q5vWa5HPBQf5vJfWLmssN_IwRu3fA488HOpPUagRYo70AVrxiP-_9mUTTHbZ9AwXLr6m5Nx5y2k5-fjU/s4032/371168131_348728060822785_257315906938488260_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-uS20zjMhgo_1SXeLbIlSurdSlxPRZCUCABMVdDKDK-d7hHl4UKh5neFsAqE_1OZLF77gC__-guLEjMPCCUP0UFHO98Q9av00nemSAgts5V1Q5vWa5HPBQf5vJfWLmssN_IwRu3fA488HOpPUagRYo70AVrxiP-_9mUTTHbZ9AwXLr6m5Nx5y2k5-fjU/w480-h640/371168131_348728060822785_257315906938488260_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-87467474015290202882023-10-02T10:19:00.006-07:002023-10-02T10:24:25.585-07:00Fall is here but you wouldn't think it!<p>Well, I have to say...fall is off to a great start here in Cape Breton. This past long weekend was amazing with incredible warm weather and plenty of ocean swimming, beachcombing, hiking, sunsets and moon rises. Yes, that's right...it's October and it's still warm enough to swim in the ocean!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNFHcKkekbQoK0xNebuPQmo0FNOVYIvwHrIS2WIIVBR5yBQAIXMWMogTGcsT17dqkEpx2ZHkPYSiJg9T5gVogEnPb-z9U4CU-2Kor22a6BHeJR8uma_qUMNQrfoulmsK6LSGu_gXnfXYe_pjA4xbZ7HAxf9BnGd6afqkQZ53a8KGdPQJ6AcJAQnGc_Z77/s853/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNFHcKkekbQoK0xNebuPQmo0FNOVYIvwHrIS2WIIVBR5yBQAIXMWMogTGcsT17dqkEpx2ZHkPYSiJg9T5gVogEnPb-z9U4CU-2Kor22a6BHeJR8uma_qUMNQrfoulmsK6LSGu_gXnfXYe_pjA4xbZ7HAxf9BnGd6afqkQZ53a8KGdPQJ6AcJAQnGc_Z77/w480-h640/1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>A trip around the Cabot Trail kicked it all off followed by a day spend swimming at Dominion Beach and a relaxing evening on Big Glace Bay waiting for the full moon to rise. Of course, there was some hiking and sunset watching too. All of my favorite things in one weekend; Can't get much better than that! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg512AfSsWwdvRNTwyDmV6SM4ll7TAuZXsx6ELILQGI7duIZoFf-F1TrYBpSV2fCqlnEID43UFanhe4LUB9v3Q5zNqPZlU-xhbbp9UCqDZgGhuhLNOxNOp8hYrGE0a7BGUfmnkpVepbIhUmJmyX-PY8MZGfKANLeapD3-1hCijE-eeZ9tJO5SmuKyoPImWd/s640/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg512AfSsWwdvRNTwyDmV6SM4ll7TAuZXsx6ELILQGI7duIZoFf-F1TrYBpSV2fCqlnEID43UFanhe4LUB9v3Q5zNqPZlU-xhbbp9UCqDZgGhuhLNOxNOp8hYrGE0a7BGUfmnkpVepbIhUmJmyX-PY8MZGfKANLeapD3-1hCijE-eeZ9tJO5SmuKyoPImWd/w640-h480/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-25514199370665371692023-10-02T10:12:00.000-07:002023-10-02T10:12:32.300-07:00A Long Weekend Like the Ones I Used to Have<p>It was a yearly tradition and then Covid arrived and it wasn't anymore. Things changed in the years of the pandemic, people changed, routines changed. I began to think that those August long weekend trips to Margaree were a thing of the past. </p><p>That's why it was such a surprise when the invite came from the friend I used to travel to Margaree with to spend the weekend there. I had a four-day weekend coming up for the civic holiday in August and I had a desire to get out of town and spend some time in the country. And that's exactly what I did. </p><p>We left early that Friday morning and headed straight for Inverness Beach before checking into the old farmhouse that would be home-away-from-home for 3 days. It was supposed to be off and on rain showers all weekend with Friday afternoon being the only time that looked decent enough to enjoy some time at the beach. The water was lovely...warm and calm as it often is on the west coast of Cape Breton. However, it was windy and probably not the best day to try and set up my new beach tent! Let's just say it didn't stay in one place like it should have! </p><p>It didn't rain although the sky threatened to at times. I was just happy to have been able to go for a refreshing dip in the clear, warm water of Inverness Beach followed by a long walk in the surf along that long stretch of coastline. </p><p>Nightfall comes sooner in mid-summer so we left the beach around 5:30 to get back to the house and unpack before dark. With our chores complete and some reheated leftover pizza in our bellies, we settled in to relax for the evening. </p><p>The next day was a mixed bag of weather so it was hard to decide what to do. We drove to Inverness to do some thrift store shopping at The Closet. I was surprised to find quite a few things in that tiny shop. </p><p>Next, we drove to Cheticamp intending to hike the Salmon Pools Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. We attempted this hike a few years ago and had to turn around due to bad weather. We hoped to finish it this time around but that was not to be. The moment I turned the car off in the parking lot, the rain started. We drove back to town and stopped for our traditional ice cream at LeBlanc's General Store (I had the Blackberry Cheesecake ice cream, of course). </p><p>When we exited the store, the rain had stopped and a crowd was gathering along the road. Curious as to what was going on, we asked someone passing by. "There's a big parade at 2 and they'll be closing this road very soon." We could have taken the Cheticamp Back Road to get back to Cap LeMoine but instead, we decided to stay right where we were and watch the parade. </p><p>The parade was part of the Festival de l'Escaouette and for a small place, I was surprised at how many floats there were! It was nice to see all the families out with their little ones, smiling and waving and having a good time. </p><p>Back at the house that evening, the skies threatened rain and thunderstorms. The barbecue we had planned was postponed so we stayed indoors and tried our hands at some virtual reality. I'm not a video game person by any means but I always wanted to try this. I donned some futuristic-looking headgear and raced my Corvette through the streets of some ancient city in Italy. It was interesting. I admit it was easy to get caught up in the realistic feel of it and at times, I felt like I was actually behind the wheel! It was fun for a short time but not something I could see myself getting hooked on or doing on sunny days that are best spent outdoors. </p><p>My last day in the Margaree area was again under threatening skies. It was too cold and windy to head to Inverness for some swimming and too close to rain to do much hiking so we went to Cheticamp and got some coffee and sat on the beach on Cheticamp Island for a while before heading to Le Gabriel for our traditional yearly feed of French Onion Soup and Nachos. </p><p>The weather may not have been great but it wasn't the worst part about the entire weekend; the worst part is always the moment we have to say our goodbyes and hit the road for the long drive home. But boy, it was nice to be back up there again!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 xdt5ytf x2lah0s x193iq5w x1cy8zhl xexx8yu"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf x1wsgfga x9otpla"><div class="x1e56ztr x1xmf6yo"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x14qwyeo xw06pyt x579bpy xjkpybl x1xlr1w8 xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><h1 class="x1heor9g x1qlqyl8 x1pd3egz x1a2a7pz"><br /></h1></span></div></div></div><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-19777456728679170642023-09-22T10:12:00.012-07:002023-09-22T13:51:48.876-07:00A Summer Day Trip From Jersey Cove to Ingonish<p>It's nice to have friends with trailers and summer homes in nice places. It's especially nice to have a great friend who has a trailer in beautiful Jersey Cove, Cape Breton. That's because it's the perfect place to enjoy a quick summer getaway. It's scenic, it's quiet, it's relaxing and it's centrally located near all the places I love to visit. Baddeck is only 20 minutes away and Ingonish is less than an hour away just to name a few of those places. Most importantly though, this friend spends much of her summer there in her trailer and loves when company stops by. Sometimes that company happens to be me. One such day this summer, it was me.</p><p> One of the best things about Jersey Cove is it's less than an hour away from my house so it's the perfect place to head to if I want a quick getaway. I arrived at the trailer mid-morning and after we unpacked the car, we headed straight to Ingonish for the day. Our plan was to recreate the perfect day we had the year before at Black Brook Beach. It didn't quite turn out that way but it was still a great day!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HnTVpva3F8vJMhiiM7OKAbxFzktC--ZPYJDBbZcYzJLWT3uGRJ2OT5eMQBx-X3VVQzDXfHVK-DwcPsbDPVqVBLEj2bwlRaHmbP3YMJytjeT2UZUnH3qoM6DTthhbo2E86ER9zFVVqpmrxfu7ckLiYdmA7QefPfvxSCAv_s-vchEGlXqSEpgJ3b6hMjJa/s4032/378109708_1052790665874454_4870439135188092656_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HnTVpva3F8vJMhiiM7OKAbxFzktC--ZPYJDBbZcYzJLWT3uGRJ2OT5eMQBx-X3VVQzDXfHVK-DwcPsbDPVqVBLEj2bwlRaHmbP3YMJytjeT2UZUnH3qoM6DTthhbo2E86ER9zFVVqpmrxfu7ckLiYdmA7QefPfvxSCAv_s-vchEGlXqSEpgJ3b6hMjJa/w480-h640/378109708_1052790665874454_4870439135188092656_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We drove to Black Brook as I thought for sure the beach conditions would be perfect on such a perfect day. As we walked down the hill to the beach area, we realized that there was no beach! The tide was so high and it was so windy that the water was coming right up to the grass. There was no way it was safe or ideal to swim there that day. Off we went in search of another beach. That beach ended up being the little patch of soft sand by the wharves in Ingonish known as The Point. The water was clear, warm and free of jellyfish and debris. It was lovely. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhZIiG_DnXBoADSAv5TTiKjSrylh6fHAUPnch6RzkwR-qxWSaTtuxnS-zdD3lgWPAHG-qZii9GbdC4WTQuiaSY4834e5GS1oRgJQF4eI-ZDHqRrCViOKnUN0ON9kNvXOIlazIpt1ud7-VyvCoxELzDYm6QeSvnWwICsay4bTpzovbQxXK7-guVEZWTtK7/s4032/370601777_668421828510373_1999405536543953655_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhZIiG_DnXBoADSAv5TTiKjSrylh6fHAUPnch6RzkwR-qxWSaTtuxnS-zdD3lgWPAHG-qZii9GbdC4WTQuiaSY4834e5GS1oRgJQF4eI-ZDHqRrCViOKnUN0ON9kNvXOIlazIpt1ud7-VyvCoxELzDYm6QeSvnWwICsay4bTpzovbQxXK7-guVEZWTtK7/w640-h480/370601777_668421828510373_1999405536543953655_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Supper that evening was take-out by the ocean. After a walk along that beautiful beach at North Bay, we headed back to the trailer at Jersey Cove. It was a clear, warm night so stargazing and sitting around the fire listening to music was in order. The closer I am to nature, the better I sleep and that night I slept like a baby to the sounds of the trees rustling and the waves gently rolling ashore. I awoke to an adorable little hummingbird staring at me through the window right next to my bed. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiqc839CmrXc5QWKcneqrtDz26xSrmfpTIfaVpr1ZLSGZWQFHbYd0ZHVI0gPHWCnor2Aaap6JIYnBGz_CKxyqjnuheSc9pzUiQR5ywynN7VY9HUEygX6n9iVC0gi5rQOAAMLYUHyHAaRMTDif-tZpj1eXiK1F28LADoND3gyMY-4AdALFfjGWP-4PMUi7/s2885/381157012_852069983164139_8757060129262370049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="2313" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiqc839CmrXc5QWKcneqrtDz26xSrmfpTIfaVpr1ZLSGZWQFHbYd0ZHVI0gPHWCnor2Aaap6JIYnBGz_CKxyqjnuheSc9pzUiQR5ywynN7VY9HUEygX6n9iVC0gi5rQOAAMLYUHyHAaRMTDif-tZpj1eXiK1F28LADoND3gyMY-4AdALFfjGWP-4PMUi7/w514-h640/381157012_852069983164139_8757060129262370049_n.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br />(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-23158156288473472982023-07-11T17:01:00.001-07:002023-07-11T17:01:05.024-07:00Celebrating Canada Day and the Official Start of summer<p>Another long weekend has come and gone and it was an extra extra long weekend for me with five days total to enjoy a fabulous time with friends, family and amazing weather. It was a weekend filled with bike rides, hikes, ocean swims, pool dips, family get-togethers and plenty of good food and beer. I even got to spend some time with an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9UXkFCNCDk88Py7cs9D3qxOTMaZABtxkmqmOCezHzshE7Lfbn3Bkv44fYVM4jjJdM26hak4oKAXBt7tsHqrq__Y3rT8jtxtEqP9OAWn5Po0ASg_KSnD2vupw-YXshphumNeO8p-NarcH1NmAH4xUqIViAKKDYMKX84QxI8IZsWLCRRc0GUSnnNzI9pR3/s3780/358892681_2399508056894933_5113541310558687531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9UXkFCNCDk88Py7cs9D3qxOTMaZABtxkmqmOCezHzshE7Lfbn3Bkv44fYVM4jjJdM26hak4oKAXBt7tsHqrq__Y3rT8jtxtEqP9OAWn5Po0ASg_KSnD2vupw-YXshphumNeO8p-NarcH1NmAH4xUqIViAKKDYMKX84QxI8IZsWLCRRc0GUSnnNzI9pR3/w512-h640/358892681_2399508056894933_5113541310558687531_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>Canada Day is always the long weekend that makes it officially summer for me. The lifeguards start back at Dominion Beach again and my family heads out for our first outing of the season to celebrate the country's birthday at the Fortress of Louisbourg. Usually, the ocean water starts to warm up around this time too but that wasn't the case this year! I went for a dip and was only able to stay in for about five minutes after my hands and feet went numb and I felt pins and needles everywhere else. That being said, it was a refreshing welcome on a hot day and it was nice to not see a single one of those stinging jellyfish that are usually around at the start of summer. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_bsd3x3r-UhoqoDAYdTBOgBMGXegKZn_8RqyTvLbUfgq1vjQa0lkbzoNvGsR_iN3HNUTnQbNEf6SxEAOpxnpxEbNWAPoWVd1niq0-NUqYlqZ-cwktebUK3HsGknJac1UIpbA8878PEbBMxB5C9XEGVpm5SpPns0Wfnc-tfTpGCwCLPFkStqF8pQJvBSJ/s2854/360055376_1310571792882173_4511078948887354063_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2854" data-original-width="2299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_bsd3x3r-UhoqoDAYdTBOgBMGXegKZn_8RqyTvLbUfgq1vjQa0lkbzoNvGsR_iN3HNUTnQbNEf6SxEAOpxnpxEbNWAPoWVd1niq0-NUqYlqZ-cwktebUK3HsGknJac1UIpbA8878PEbBMxB5C9XEGVpm5SpPns0Wfnc-tfTpGCwCLPFkStqF8pQJvBSJ/w323-h400/360055376_1310571792882173_4511078948887354063_n.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>A few bike rides to Low Point Lighthouse, some hikes along Dominion Beach, refreshing dips, picnics, a scenic drive around Port Morien and Donkin, sipping on beer at sunset, eating whatever I feel like without guilt...this is what summer weekends are all about....and it's only just started! <br /><p></p><p>This Canada Day was different. My little nephew who was only born in December enjoyed his first Canada Day weekend. It's so fun watching him grow up because everything is so new to him! I'm sure he doesn't yet comprehend the meaning of the day but I'm sure he sensed something was special about it with so many people around. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hJF02RAl2378pOH2Gryeb6N0bnrf5sDYhnBPH-t2IW7MfcLpEx9kl9LT-yCK-f09aYOTQzks60KNi6jp_tvcqNa2pVNxRwdz6PDp1SxVtNUQWlWUVE5YreuwGhSu1DbKMjBUGGxJ6vU6SSg5x9isM5tAFgKLAqDfg0XEkMnV9orcZbwc95ytkBraO0qo/s3780/360056221_275622738453017_4790885448823403100_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hJF02RAl2378pOH2Gryeb6N0bnrf5sDYhnBPH-t2IW7MfcLpEx9kl9LT-yCK-f09aYOTQzks60KNi6jp_tvcqNa2pVNxRwdz6PDp1SxVtNUQWlWUVE5YreuwGhSu1DbKMjBUGGxJ6vU6SSg5x9isM5tAFgKLAqDfg0XEkMnV9orcZbwc95ytkBraO0qo/w512-h640/360056221_275622738453017_4790885448823403100_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></div> So much more to look forward to this summer, so many more adventures to come! I said this one was going to be the best yet and it's so far, summer is living up to that expectation. <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtxHO_CnezmfhM08l67926nHKNB2CGqkZwr5gKFaOaZIQG7235x5xyjlvkJbo1Z5AFBwOUSCBzTvQjLeckuVyr-E_4glSa8Q_Z1CSF7ruIETSjfOjVZUN4tjmB21haBmwMFqrxEkCJdGlxTHR7Tk8fjlCrksHIywqMSbLAS0FwQu6AebQ7L1EuySm3bce/s4032/359521928_840854230749477_8399234892170704668_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtxHO_CnezmfhM08l67926nHKNB2CGqkZwr5gKFaOaZIQG7235x5xyjlvkJbo1Z5AFBwOUSCBzTvQjLeckuVyr-E_4glSa8Q_Z1CSF7ruIETSjfOjVZUN4tjmB21haBmwMFqrxEkCJdGlxTHR7Tk8fjlCrksHIywqMSbLAS0FwQu6AebQ7L1EuySm3bce/w480-h640/359521928_840854230749477_8399234892170704668_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family of Canada Geese on Canada Day!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-60874416347359619052023-05-22T10:54:00.001-07:002023-05-22T10:54:25.481-07:00The May Long Weekend means Summer is Here....Even if it is Unofficial!<p>I'm not used to having vacation time from work. For the first time in my life, I have a job that comes with such a luxury and despite feeling a tad guilty for requesting a day off even though I wasn't sick, I went ahead and took one of those days that my managing team has assured me are there for me to use and not waste! I'm just not used to not being at the office when I'm feeling completely fine. I took that day which made my long weekend extra long this year; 5 glorious days just relaxing, doing things I enjoy and spending time with the people I just don't get to spend enough time with as of late. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2Xuj29lsQvkN9HpDD8tycbUx3WwPh5977sE9MH0_8qn41c27eJH4vgABTbuEm8Apqdm72mB4llzbnz6Bz1grYntunXt0scxZzbWxQ3NeG8mg8xhCW5cic2mKEn6PPwDfVgTZ-sB3CCvnKvtKtsJjNQX4TVBawOXeK9Ry7Cfd4Pip85wllGWa-9qyMQ/s4032/346123048_266041992551999_5167939764287654846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2Xuj29lsQvkN9HpDD8tycbUx3WwPh5977sE9MH0_8qn41c27eJH4vgABTbuEm8Apqdm72mB4llzbnz6Bz1grYntunXt0scxZzbWxQ3NeG8mg8xhCW5cic2mKEn6PPwDfVgTZ-sB3CCvnKvtKtsJjNQX4TVBawOXeK9Ry7Cfd4Pip85wllGWa-9qyMQ/w480-h640/346123048_266041992551999_5167939764287654846_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Thursday wasn't all that exciting. My car broke down earlier in the week so it spend that whole day in the shop. I spent the day catching up on housecleaning bill-paying. Friday morning I got some troubling news; the part I needed for the car repairs still hadn't come in. All good. I ended up going with Dad to Framboise for the day and was reassured by my mechanic that it would be fixed time I got back that evening! <p></p><p>Framboise with Dad is a long-weekend tradition since I moved back home. The weather can be hit or miss on that side of the island. It was mostly nice but very windy and cool that day...good for keeping the flies away while fishing...bad for casting in little roadside brooks. After getting massively tangled in branches and rocks, I did manage to reel in a few decent-sized trout. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKrIMAZgVsv102zFHXHa7nBGcU58ryaHbkoSapB8nDjuiuF6zEAVPYMwkSeHq_mZyis63RdQ11P8LFEz46p2GJlEmIrdC2CeV0ROduUG9ZMqVb_5TFNC_ToLYrunZA4xIva3zXDB4i4NJFIAkSPUs5xeW3eMizJaQi18HxZOGKKseap9GzKGCFaCA2Q/s4032/348368383_1466916907387451_32064546131359056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKrIMAZgVsv102zFHXHa7nBGcU58ryaHbkoSapB8nDjuiuF6zEAVPYMwkSeHq_mZyis63RdQ11P8LFEz46p2GJlEmIrdC2CeV0ROduUG9ZMqVb_5TFNC_ToLYrunZA4xIva3zXDB4i4NJFIAkSPUs5xeW3eMizJaQi18HxZOGKKseap9GzKGCFaCA2Q/w480-h640/348368383_1466916907387451_32064546131359056_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After a day of fishing, hiking and exploring, we rested on Ferguson Beach by the river that meets the sea. Sometimes at low tide, we can cross there but on this day, the tide was fairly high and the river had the passage completely blocked. Being too cold to remove our shoes and wade across, we sat on some driftwood on the sandy banks where we were sheltered from the wind and cracked open a beer each. I don't normally drink, but I do like a beer on the beach from time to time! As per normal on these trips, we drove up to St. Peter's, got a coffee and drove back...except this time, we went the other way through L'Ardoise and Point Michaud rather than taking the way we came. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFB18eWKOsdQwFCFIfGIbrNxaS82NhIfBe5kFEzZFsstuhuWsfCUD0txZE8Y_MSseTyOFp6_DJktElkdRBXWKs3PTYOEhYmiICB81hoxL_388DYRYTSuXMtjxLl5NQGeYWzvwdsCFWLlZqbR-RktiXkjq5R4FAFH20rwa2ur3xewRXchz1uJi0hHS9w/s4032/346132118_902549830815697_6999928262287286265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFB18eWKOsdQwFCFIfGIbrNxaS82NhIfBe5kFEzZFsstuhuWsfCUD0txZE8Y_MSseTyOFp6_DJktElkdRBXWKs3PTYOEhYmiICB81hoxL_388DYRYTSuXMtjxLl5NQGeYWzvwdsCFWLlZqbR-RktiXkjq5R4FAFH20rwa2ur3xewRXchz1uJi0hHS9w/w480-h640/346132118_902549830815697_6999928262287286265_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I had planned to get my bike out of storage and go for a ride followed by an afternoon spent cleaning my car and sorting my camping gear. That evening when I got back from Framboise, I checked the weather and saw that it would be too windy for a bike ride. I also decided that I didn't feel like cleaning my car. That could wait. My friend who sets up her travel trailer in Englishtown every May long weekend invited me to take a drive there and pay her a visit. I only live once right? Why spend the first unofficial weekend of summer cleaning? <p></p><p>So Saturday morning, I went for morning coffee with Dad, paid a quick visit to my sister and her family, got some snacks ready and hit the road. It's not that far to Englishtown, about an hour and a half. But it's the just getting out of town and heading out into the country that made it sound so appealing. I don't do enough mini road trips anymore and the driving conditions were perfect! Sunny and warm enough to cruise with the sunroof and windows open and the music up loud! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnGE7TfGZWuIDHAu2WEdCpJ6j0XdmZ-3wisIxQnS0eyzgGul4yopn-o7A1fka62kKl4ijlL4Q1lC0zzGTB4MIkHrAXaR1xrhuCMtDzSDD2M5WSh6-1EmOPWhNZjYsk8g6LNbyj_GkDCV4kdatP43AncrEfPSNq1Pla-4zw5hWSUiZCEUvVsHW7hBLxA/s4032/346150989_613946807093400_5673658333230642504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnGE7TfGZWuIDHAu2WEdCpJ6j0XdmZ-3wisIxQnS0eyzgGul4yopn-o7A1fka62kKl4ijlL4Q1lC0zzGTB4MIkHrAXaR1xrhuCMtDzSDD2M5WSh6-1EmOPWhNZjYsk8g6LNbyj_GkDCV4kdatP43AncrEfPSNq1Pla-4zw5hWSUiZCEUvVsHW7hBLxA/w480-h640/346150989_613946807093400_5673658333230642504_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I arrived at my friend's trailer late in the afternoon but it was still warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the natural surroundings and take in that fresh ocean air. After some catching up, we took a drive to a nearby hiking trail and set out to check it out. We had been saying for years we would check out this trail but never did. It was too long to do the whole thing but we hiked about 4 kilometers in until we reached a scenic outlook and turned back. It was nice to get out in nature and hear birds and sit by a babbling brook. I almost fell asleep listening to the sound of that brook as I sat beside it just taking it all in. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-EK0dr5YWJsO_fvg-scHsxRgbV8xZJhiKDGmn_i0GmgdOX8eK8uX5qZyXKmJjm42CFpx_rjB7C1ADBaZNzWSmlHFYK4oVLNjPH65DygrBHFY_bClDj7vMcZIpBmMQgcVaWDFpcvRf0T6vh1zas3QQXGK5sSa1tw4yy7PyFhLtBA4B7DzmUS6F-k9mQ/s1034/346132523_596582939110039_1770911384532638813_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-EK0dr5YWJsO_fvg-scHsxRgbV8xZJhiKDGmn_i0GmgdOX8eK8uX5qZyXKmJjm42CFpx_rjB7C1ADBaZNzWSmlHFYK4oVLNjPH65DygrBHFY_bClDj7vMcZIpBmMQgcVaWDFpcvRf0T6vh1zas3QQXGK5sSa1tw4yy7PyFhLtBA4B7DzmUS6F-k9mQ/w512-h640/346132523_596582939110039_1770911384532638813_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>Instead of going straight home that evening, I made a little detour to Dominion Beach. I didn't intend to walk that night but I ended up walking the entire beach and back. Maybe it was out of habit as I walk it so much or maybe it was just because it was such a nice evening. I also think I was secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of some baby foxes I suspected were born further up the beach earlier in the spring. They usually come out around this time but, despite keeping an eye for them, I saw no foxes at all. <br /><p></p><p>I was about ten feet away from my car when I spotted something small run at top speed under the boardwalk. I walked over to the spot where I saw whatever it was a second earlier and a little head popped out then a little fox kit appeared at my feet! What a surprise! But where was his mom? And his siblings? Surely there couldn't be just one kit alone so close to the road. Sure enough, mom appeared and sat about 30 feet away as her kit checked me out. She wasn't at all threatened by my presence or at her little one inching so close to me. No other kits appeared so I suspect he may be an only child. It was a nice experience to have a wild animal take such an interest in me but I'm concerned about Mom keeping her young one so close to people and cars. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvCfOUtfRHUtOBSJBGabzhv6HjsK6_B0RKXJ5c0ccBmtdmZ02DzQ2TdT0v3adetZB4HksvFwYcZQ8YCdExQ4zGuBD4I8EJlSG2rvkv7gtGDZuREAmrmcNunPSguFFjhgrvm0iUCdwCF2Y1bOwWTxy1T5Mss6QFoInVpzqClXz1k5lbjSZS2Xseh1rg/s4032/346138072_931703698106239_6620982172442909664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvCfOUtfRHUtOBSJBGabzhv6HjsK6_B0RKXJ5c0ccBmtdmZ02DzQ2TdT0v3adetZB4HksvFwYcZQ8YCdExQ4zGuBD4I8EJlSG2rvkv7gtGDZuREAmrmcNunPSguFFjhgrvm0iUCdwCF2Y1bOwWTxy1T5Mss6QFoInVpzqClXz1k5lbjSZS2Xseh1rg/w480-h640/346138072_931703698106239_6620982172442909664_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>By Sunday morning, my job feels like a distant memory. I'm just not used to having this much time off! Instead of getting up and getting ready for work, I got up and got ready for another day of hiking! Of course, I went for coffee with Dad first. After all, this has been a morning tradition since I moved back to Cape Breton! Before I met my friends at the trailhead in the Gardiner, I stopped off at the beach to check on the little fox kit. He was still there playing with a stick all by himself with mom watching a little ways away. <p></p><p>I hike the road where the wind turbines are in the Gardiner all the time but always wondered where the trail on the other side of the highway went. So I recruited a couple of friends to come check it out. We started out, us and an adorable little beagle pup, and walked into the unknown. It was a warm day but very windy. Not that I should complain about the wind because it kept the flies away! For a trail in the middle of a residential area, it certainly didn't seem that way! It was quiet with lots of trees, some streams and hardly any other people...just the I like my hikes. It was nice to be able to get out in nature without having to drive a few hours to get there!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKosY9l6uXkJsIiBNMujkDYDSU6JPHPpQxJcmxFx5HdLgVNHJovbDVQufvbqcawKiQfT1LP3YGN9g2ZrFJGpxSK6X2af68fInglrZwF0lmE8d_mW0q2RryJt1KsdR9VjOhLJTULW0Qf-8lwnOQNbTLW61RN2fxdpCMSiy2j4ycwmlEkbUFblR8UzfpA/s4032/346136146_775483984043223_4140355512146379460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKosY9l6uXkJsIiBNMujkDYDSU6JPHPpQxJcmxFx5HdLgVNHJovbDVQufvbqcawKiQfT1LP3YGN9g2ZrFJGpxSK6X2af68fInglrZwF0lmE8d_mW0q2RryJt1KsdR9VjOhLJTULW0Qf-8lwnOQNbTLW61RN2fxdpCMSiy2j4ycwmlEkbUFblR8UzfpA/w480-h640/346136146_775483984043223_4140355512146379460_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Monday felt like Sunday but it was Monday and that meant come Tuesday, I'll only have a 4-day work week! I was tired but refreshed and ready to go back but I had every intention of making good use of my last day. After morning coffee and a drive, I cleaned my car and got my bike out for the first time this year. I didn't go for a long ride but one long enough to get my legs used to riding again. It was nice to have that cool ocean air hitting my face again as I sped down the highway. I have to say, I made good use of my time off and got a lot done....both things I had to get done and things I wanted to do for a long time but didn't have the chance. The next long one will be Canada Day which hopefully will bring some warmer temperatures and conditions ideal for more outdoor adventures!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIORWtwuxBJcs4FchoMERT1gS3lYaUsE5PAMk589bj9ZvT3oxObxxFkG07v3Pipx972RPrkCkvHCTxfMGzq6HeHa7h5CK8lCM-F9Gj8496gvjjSnTyNtRYxpGnIerPmrPETYl83uH9ohjRk4HDZtOpyNEd7fBEAngyRM9_Staoj3PB1R7CQuyW_2EsA/s2865/346123141_1479384192468694_7100677565948232465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="2216" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIORWtwuxBJcs4FchoMERT1gS3lYaUsE5PAMk589bj9ZvT3oxObxxFkG07v3Pipx972RPrkCkvHCTxfMGzq6HeHa7h5CK8lCM-F9Gj8496gvjjSnTyNtRYxpGnIerPmrPETYl83uH9ohjRk4HDZtOpyNEd7fBEAngyRM9_Staoj3PB1R7CQuyW_2EsA/w496-h640/346123141_1479384192468694_7100677565948232465_n.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-6159874896924965992023-03-17T09:34:00.006-07:002023-03-17T09:42:14.531-07:00A Fall Trip Around the Cabot Trail that almost didn't Happen<p>It almost didn't happen. That one thing that I have to do every summer or fall. The one thing that I've done every year since I was born. The thing I look forward to every summer. The quintessential Cape Breton experience. A time-honored family tradition. I'm talking about my annual family road trip around the Cabot Trail. </p><p>All summer, I assumed I would, at some point, go around the Cabot Trail but as summer slipped away and fall arrived, it started to look like that might not happen. A variety of things occurred during those months that threw everything off. I started a new job, my sister moved home from away and was due to have a baby, a category 2 hurricane struck the island and caused widespread damage and there were some car issues. By early October, it looked like we wouldn't be going around at all.</p><p>The weather was nice at the start of October. So nice that it prompted some discussion about a potential day trip around The Trail amongst my immediate family members. We set a date. We would go after all!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDIwB-3sQzBIBOddfptnRsbcKYexX4FhBiJL0ts6iLIkNxBdYZoIeOI17oDoPYcQ5F59sqD1uBUcrSNb_kOZrRYa9QYumH6qvKHn3Cg-fCZkFcG8PUjzGB1zSHxHWJjJY_vzB3j-ISDO9KOuVzFpl8dHOnI67exTGvvygHVU6mAUpSvEiK7v40nhgrA/s4032/479AD0B4-CBF6-48AD-9DF4-16DBC3752303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDIwB-3sQzBIBOddfptnRsbcKYexX4FhBiJL0ts6iLIkNxBdYZoIeOI17oDoPYcQ5F59sqD1uBUcrSNb_kOZrRYa9QYumH6qvKHn3Cg-fCZkFcG8PUjzGB1zSHxHWJjJY_vzB3j-ISDO9KOuVzFpl8dHOnI67exTGvvygHVU6mAUpSvEiK7v40nhgrA/w640-h480/479AD0B4-CBF6-48AD-9DF4-16DBC3752303.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We couldn't have picked a better day to do. Besides the fact that it was a Saturday and I didn't have to work, it was sunny and fairly warm. We hit all the traditional spots along the way. Coffee at Robin's Donuts in Bras d'Or, a drive through the pretty town of Baddeck, The Red Barn so the shopaholic in our crew could get their fix and Flora's in Cheticamp, the look-offs in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and, of course, supper at Coastal in Ingonish. <p></p><p>After supper, we made the drive around the Keltic Lodge, stopped to check out the gift shop and parked for a little while at Ingonish Beach. The latter being a request by me so I could admire that beautiful beach and the rolling waves and sip on my post-supper coffee. I walked to Freshwater Lake, took in one of my favorite views and absorbed it all for a moment knowing that I wouldn't be back until the summer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzaHui_BbJbNbp3WCCjEEJdfwPy8wWSOune6z4B1D5_3VeDbAs9TfnKEHounv8BeAJZagmLNouW1Q4_5Ho5JgiricSP6hI821oFSAEVdk4SL_sj9Gf-AsFm42u_9DuTJ_BMoeJM3bPMc8Ux73HE3rKDiNjMQb6ICXhIdRUvA-zBdva-quZpOraCAFsg/s4032/IMG-1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzaHui_BbJbNbp3WCCjEEJdfwPy8wWSOune6z4B1D5_3VeDbAs9TfnKEHounv8BeAJZagmLNouW1Q4_5Ho5JgiricSP6hI821oFSAEVdk4SL_sj9Gf-AsFm42u_9DuTJ_BMoeJM3bPMc8Ux73HE3rKDiNjMQb6ICXhIdRUvA-zBdva-quZpOraCAFsg/w480-h640/IMG-1182.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The fall colors are usually at their peak that time of year but, unfortunately, the leaves had already mostly fallen from the trees in the big storm weeks earlier. That being said, any trip around the Cabot Trail is amazing no matter the season or the conditions. Being in good company certainly helps make it even better!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r2-O4O8eAL9IhVOMHM2q_YXvgKdWJ97gUOdw39UZXiM4OiYBwN3H9ITWn0o-PfGyQa52OnopaSdqPx9ttSWph9dY5RsKp20RVVwev6ZJ_rTirZ7wkrdyRQYUD9TJwg21HFs7oBiQjUkNGQoa8z2f0Gu5m5wT-wjO5FjsVFw40XmPcHT5LKZbQwO28g/s4032/IMG-1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r2-O4O8eAL9IhVOMHM2q_YXvgKdWJ97gUOdw39UZXiM4OiYBwN3H9ITWn0o-PfGyQa52OnopaSdqPx9ttSWph9dY5RsKp20RVVwev6ZJ_rTirZ7wkrdyRQYUD9TJwg21HFs7oBiQjUkNGQoa8z2f0Gu5m5wT-wjO5FjsVFw40XmPcHT5LKZbQwO28g/w480-h640/IMG-1191.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-22893515421601349552023-03-05T10:21:00.000-08:002023-03-05T10:21:36.991-08:00An Amazing Day at Point Michaud Beach<p>I love Point Michaud. After all, it's a long, sandy beach in a remote area of beautiful Cape Breton Island and there's nothing I love more than a long, sandy beach all to myself. But, there is one thing I don't love about this beach in particular; the water is always cold!</p><p>When I go to Point Michaud Beach, it's to sit in the sand and watch the waves or to walk the many kilometers along its shore. The couple of times I tried to swim there, it was just way too cold. Sure, many people do swim there but they are local people who are used to the cooler waters of the south coast and many times, they are wearing wetsuits. I'm used to the warm waters of Dominion Beach and Inverness Beach. Point Michaud Beach is more suited to the surfers who come from all over to surf the ideal conditions the beach is known for. Sometimes the waves get quite big. I don't surf. I also don't even put my toes in the water at Point Michaud Beach. </p><p>Than, one day I made a last-minute visit to Point Michaud. I was camping down the road with my father and when we parted ways to head home, I stopped at the beach to see an old friend who happened to be there that day. It was a warm sunny day, but I didn't have high hopes of going for a swim. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Cc7mH7w5BlKnb2vt9Hgy0mEXe6hL-tliOj4hWM5Z-BcEVJKueyqJAi41uT8tq8IjMz_Q_Zd4RT34w5NTOnRI5_ioSeEn1WrSxBOWvd4-JiuYKKYTthWTqFcY60hqZInfsmkpreDNoTL2sX_p54zpQcG3XZwfFzGpNS6GUltzDnnuQaTh5NS5dVEFA/s853/118068333_10159226631685961_6250887537978062375_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Cc7mH7w5BlKnb2vt9Hgy0mEXe6hL-tliOj4hWM5Z-BcEVJKueyqJAi41uT8tq8IjMz_Q_Zd4RT34w5NTOnRI5_ioSeEn1WrSxBOWvd4-JiuYKKYTthWTqFcY60hqZInfsmkpreDNoTL2sX_p54zpQcG3XZwfFzGpNS6GUltzDnnuQaTh5NS5dVEFA/w480-h640/118068333_10159226631685961_6250887537978062375_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>"Did you bring your swimsuit? The water is lovely!" was the greeting I received as my old friend embraced me in the parking lot. I must have looked at her like she was crazy because she responded with "no really, the water is the warmest It's ever been!". I had my doubts but I changed into my swimsuit anyway. I sat on the beach in the warm sun, delaying my entry into what I expected to be chilly water. When my friend's young granddaughter ran to the water's edge and walked nonchalantly into the water like it was nothing, I began to think that maybe my friend wasn't exaggerating about the water temperature after all. <p></p><p>I walked to the water's edge and watched the little girls jump and dive and splash around. The water was so clear. I'd never seen it so clear before! I slipped my sandals off and dipped my toes in the water. It felt very warm but I knew that wasn't enough to gauge how warm it would be further out. I slowly entered the water inch by inch. It didn't get colder. Eventually I was up to my waist in warm water that is usually the norm for the other side of the island. I ducked and surprisingly, it wasn't a shock because, lo and behold, the water was so warm! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF537ZzlDd9GnhdS-qMHBOwih5zNmZrAHAzYTNQQXNat_3iE---rgs7GpgW1jKyI_pFSycA5bvAEQ2xrSnnwxR1hYF8ZByrYF6rBe21XM8eZcz8BA_dnaeORyh_O-BiLSFfAeB3h5xUZaliDzeAKz0Lv6JKnQ75pktCQVuJTk2CiRH8orJBhil4cE7Ww/s2048/41733119_10157251359320961_505547775639814144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF537ZzlDd9GnhdS-qMHBOwih5zNmZrAHAzYTNQQXNat_3iE---rgs7GpgW1jKyI_pFSycA5bvAEQ2xrSnnwxR1hYF8ZByrYF6rBe21XM8eZcz8BA_dnaeORyh_O-BiLSFfAeB3h5xUZaliDzeAKz0Lv6JKnQ75pktCQVuJTk2CiRH8orJBhil4cE7Ww/w640-h426/41733119_10157251359320961_505547775639814144_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I stayed in that water for over an hour riding the gentle waves, watching the surfers riding waves on their boards nearby. Even in water over my head, it was clear, I could see straight to the bottom. It was almost like swimming in the Caribbean Sea. I'd never seen such beautiful conditions at Point Michaud before and boy, was I glad I took my swimsuit along on that camping trip! When the clouds rolled in and the air cooled, the water stayed warm but I knew it was time to get out of the water and dry off before the rain came. <p></p><p>The rain did come just as I was driving along the coast headed for home. I made a little detour to St. Peters to grab a coffee for the road and made that long, scenic drive down Route 4 along the Bras d'Or Lakes. I'll never assume that the water is always cold at Point Michaud again because I hope to have a repeat of that amazing day next summer and every summer after!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-3145645695333708832023-02-12T09:32:00.001-08:002023-02-12T09:32:18.335-08:00An Almost Ruined Beach Day Turned out to be one of the Best Days all Summer<p>The summer of 2022 was a strange one. I was excited that Covid-19 was no longer a threat and the government had loosened restrictions so I was looking forward to getting back to beach days, road trips and camping excursions. However, high gas prices, soaring inflation and work restrictions prevented me from having the summer I dreamed of while I was in pandemic isolation for the previous two years. </p><p>Despite the hurdles, I vowed to take at least one day trip to my favorite beach, Inverness Beach in Western Cape Breton. I started to plan early because I knew I had a small window to work with when the weather would be nicest and I would have some time away from my work. I didn't care if anyone came with me or not so I didn't even try to plan the trip around anyone else's schedule. I eyed the second week of August, I gave notice to my employer that would be taking a few days off and I got everything ready to go at a moment's notice. My logic was that one of the days I choose to take off would be nice and I would be able to monitor the weather and head out on my way at a moment's notice when the winds and skies were just right. Why plan a beach day if clouds, rain and wind is forecast? I wanted the day to be perfect because I only had one chance. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-ux07C68om0lFOYsUN1SLVMX6ouhmA34XKMfe5v72JetOIhjI3q20mhghu5umAV7zXo6FCL23mI3qgRIH1svrJWNWmhvyHoWrALYlaoElo_fJ3eNrQY010nbZ4Bj8dHJI9c8YWo37cqLdARBCrsTpOUZR-3YAZD9OxeahAtckzQ2-sm3wjNTm9V5PQ/s2048/299659787_10160789196195961_83370194863007040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-ux07C68om0lFOYsUN1SLVMX6ouhmA34XKMfe5v72JetOIhjI3q20mhghu5umAV7zXo6FCL23mI3qgRIH1svrJWNWmhvyHoWrALYlaoElo_fJ3eNrQY010nbZ4Bj8dHJI9c8YWo37cqLdARBCrsTpOUZR-3YAZD9OxeahAtckzQ2-sm3wjNTm9V5PQ/w480-h640/299659787_10160789196195961_83370194863007040_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I chose the day and that day started out wonderfully. Sunny, warm, not a cloud in the sky, at least not until I started getting closer to my final destination. Grey clouds were moving in, the wind picked up and raindrops started to appear on my windshield. I pulled up to the beach hoping that at least the water was warm enough to keep some people swimming despite the weather but, much to my disappointment, everyone was leaving and soon there was no one left on the beach. The surf was up and even the lifeguards didn't look like they wanted to be there. <p></p><p>Thinking my beach day was ruined, I decided to try and make the best out of out anyway. After all, I drove over two hours to get there. I stopped for a coffee in the little town of Inverness before driving toward Cheticamp. As I drove along the coast, the sky started to clear and the sun came out. I saw cars parked along the road to Chimney Corner which I thought was strange since it had just been raining. I drove down to check it out anyway and a good thing I did; the beach was beautiful! Low tide, no waves and all sand. This beach is a little more sheltered than Inverness and that was my theory as to why it was so nice there. The water was incredibly warm. I stayed there in those warm waters for several hours, content that I got my beach day after all. Chimney Corner is a close second when it comes to favourite beaches in this area of Cape Breton so I was perfectly fine spending the afternoon there. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZyZW6_dFxn3QTnhiio7U7NLCTxuhFnM6Vckk9-iGlrVxb-cckgb5C7ZTwA-hm9npYmDEjXbFMA1UqN-cxX_x8MMW1VM6MfTFrmEjc_5AbhLG5A00gYouE1dFGfn8qFkZdNqaRsBjHdJ7UcujiAgK6NFJ_n8AKANp56M5Dz3DWBkS99kkt6SxygCDgA/s2048/299973476_10160789196405961_7398426966549522908_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZyZW6_dFxn3QTnhiio7U7NLCTxuhFnM6Vckk9-iGlrVxb-cckgb5C7ZTwA-hm9npYmDEjXbFMA1UqN-cxX_x8MMW1VM6MfTFrmEjc_5AbhLG5A00gYouE1dFGfn8qFkZdNqaRsBjHdJ7UcujiAgK6NFJ_n8AKANp56M5Dz3DWBkS99kkt6SxygCDgA/w480-h640/299973476_10160789196405961_7398426966549522908_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Later that afternoon after I had walked the beach and dried off, I continued on to Cheticamp where I grabbed some Nachos from Le Gabriel and ate them on the boardwalk. I looked off in the distance and could see nothing but clear skies towards Inverness. The sunsets in Cheticamp are nice but the sunsets in Inverness are incredible. Inverness sunsets are one of my life's greatest joys and that day was my only chance to enjoy one that summer. I headed west and back to where I started. I walked up to the edge of the dunes to check out the conditions of the beach and couldn't believe what I was seeing. The seas were calm, the tide was fairly low, the horizon was clear and there were dozens of people in the water! I didn't argue with myself for long. I knew it was late and had to hit the road soon but I couldn't pass up this opportunity. I grabbed my beach gear, changed into my swimsuit again, found a place in the soft, warm sand to make my base and immersed myself into that sparkling water. The water was so clear I could see right to the bottom. There's one thing I love more than Inverness sunsets; swimming toward those last rays of the sun and feeling as if I'm the last person on earth, one with the mighty ocean...and that's exactly what I did until the sky turned dark and the air turned cool and I made the long drive home. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjvYQG2ZzRadqRaLRbl-UuI_J9E3a3YsBjfSDHLXowqBpAr3xWOmlk1tfmRmt30--l3iLNYOGPZvRqXfHsiEeco3VweTQcH38qy077ilmtRNvsQy3axQbh2To16StSRQECspT9kp9mlTzTtrEq8V-3MnKf3KMFqozs97ZRYwqEX2Cdd9hnuA9J1tQLA/s2048/300504044_10160789196175961_4663295423930285235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjvYQG2ZzRadqRaLRbl-UuI_J9E3a3YsBjfSDHLXowqBpAr3xWOmlk1tfmRmt30--l3iLNYOGPZvRqXfHsiEeco3VweTQcH38qy077ilmtRNvsQy3axQbh2To16StSRQECspT9kp9mlTzTtrEq8V-3MnKf3KMFqozs97ZRYwqEX2Cdd9hnuA9J1tQLA/w480-h640/300504044_10160789196175961_4663295423930285235_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-85527723054055679362023-01-28T17:34:00.007-08:002023-01-28T17:34:41.321-08:00A Time-Honored Tradition<p>I have many traditions. I guess you could say I'm just a traditional person. I often reminisce because I have so many great memories and I've been lucky to have had many different experiences. One of the events I look forward to now year after year is not something I always did. No, it's not something from my childhood or from my college days. It's a tradition that started not long after I moved back home after being away in another province for more than a decade. This year was year seven for this special tradition.<br /></p><p>I love camping. My father loves camping. I love the great outdoors. My father loves the great outdoors. I tend to head to Ingonish in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park to camp. Dad tends to head to Framboise on the south coast of the island to do his camping. Somewhere along the line, we came up with the idea that we should do a father-daughter camping trip. We chose a lovely, remote spot on top of a hill overlooking the ocean at Ferguson Beach near Framboise. That was over 4 years ago. This summer, we embarked on our seventh annual father-daughter camping trip to that exact same spot. </p><p>We had planned to go earlier this year because our previous trips were taken in late August and early September when the nights are cold and damp. However, due to the extreme heat and humidity we experienced this past summer, the trip ended taken place at roughly the same time as usual. Fortunately, there was a couple of days of clear skies, zero precipitation and warm nights forecast for the last week in August so we jumped at the opportunity and weren't disappointed with the outcome!</p><p>There's only one thing I don't like about our camping spot; lugging all our gear up that hill! But, I have to say, the effort definitely pays off. The views are spectacular and leaving the car at the bottom of the hill far from our site gives a feel of roughing it in the middle of nowhere. Just the way I like my camping!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFClpWapsrsZs3Xj0LvaweEmCF4VrBcvfmzHcPApPaLmwhpdUG7vCnIWQLtys1jnWuUO6HlSHb8z26JPUHjmlDcN9bmHe1iCYkNr-gaL5s9fcE9PO3N_I3coQNyP__LGEaNEwUlWOnYpv948i-mfub_8Tido2_QEaoIoxOM3yK_veVxN4Rg6zqFsFm7g/s2048/301919514_10160798877395961_1799067290328765569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFClpWapsrsZs3Xj0LvaweEmCF4VrBcvfmzHcPApPaLmwhpdUG7vCnIWQLtys1jnWuUO6HlSHb8z26JPUHjmlDcN9bmHe1iCYkNr-gaL5s9fcE9PO3N_I3coQNyP__LGEaNEwUlWOnYpv948i-mfub_8Tido2_QEaoIoxOM3yK_veVxN4Rg6zqFsFm7g/w640-h480/301919514_10160798877395961_1799067290328765569_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Once we have all our gear on the hill, we get to work. Dad likes to get everything set up before doing anything else so the hardest part is out of way so we can relax for the rest of the trip. I agree. Nothing worse than setting up a tent at dusk with the flies eating you alive!<p></p><p>It took a little longer to get set up than usual and this time, it was my fault! Missing tent pegs and even missing parts from various tents. I don't have a lot of space at my little apartment to lay things out and get organized. I took my camping gear out from under the bed back in June and put in the trunk of my car . I assumed all the parts were there. Instead, I had 4 tents and various parts for 4 different tents but none of the tents had all their parts. Catch my drift? I had to improvise and this came after I had set up and tore down all four tents. It turned out ok but we suffered sunburns and horsefly attacks during the ordeal!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0TJVEMF0i52-mxQ-0ibr3MwA1HkCEWUcB6AQjQ9WwVSRNljozyKpXk3WG3C3XRH7KSKSDAzfsdy3rAaooNmZtNk0qYO2km0ryYJh5PaGFTfP2WECSqExPiWayzXu2Cllh1nTzMYU4VKFxtVz6s2GJwZ7aUVzJ23HfilulAgUUbI0fWinObddRPNZHQ/s2048/301129196_10160798877570961_1223460647407458341_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0TJVEMF0i52-mxQ-0ibr3MwA1HkCEWUcB6AQjQ9WwVSRNljozyKpXk3WG3C3XRH7KSKSDAzfsdy3rAaooNmZtNk0qYO2km0ryYJh5PaGFTfP2WECSqExPiWayzXu2Cllh1nTzMYU4VKFxtVz6s2GJwZ7aUVzJ23HfilulAgUUbI0fWinObddRPNZHQ/w480-h640/301129196_10160798877570961_1223460647407458341_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> There was still plenty of daylight left after we had a quick lunch. We were tired and worn out from working in the sun so we went for a drive along the coast to see if we could spot any wildlife or see if anyone was fishing in the brooks. Not a soul around except for road workers but we did spot a hawk and a bald eagle. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDjHN9LRQlPfzMBjXlEBKRFH2fYHVjJHmJtIuqSFQjd11pcc-CVaKO8n14jZHmo0YPTifIEslhoGxk7bVM6O3BJw2w2EUUz0R7m_tEV86Ft4gUTGzNa_LOixsU8hGosyIo4_wuFUWlxdZnpSX0rfmQCEE6KPLU-8DK81AWvvugsIcyuEIJHcugDpJ8g/s2048/302445783_10160798877225961_6873796303417112010_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDjHN9LRQlPfzMBjXlEBKRFH2fYHVjJHmJtIuqSFQjd11pcc-CVaKO8n14jZHmo0YPTifIEslhoGxk7bVM6O3BJw2w2EUUz0R7m_tEV86Ft4gUTGzNa_LOixsU8hGosyIo4_wuFUWlxdZnpSX0rfmQCEE6KPLU-8DK81AWvvugsIcyuEIJHcugDpJ8g/w480-h640/302445783_10160798877225961_6873796303417112010_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> With sunset approaching, we decided to take a quick hike up the beach before getting the fire ready and settling in for the night with some beer, snacks and stargazing. We only made it so far because the tide was high and we were unable to cross to the other side of the stream that opens up to the ocean. When the tide is low, there's very little water in this stream, but such was not the case on this day! We sat for a bit and listened to the ocean and the seals that were making a lot of noise on a nearby island. The island is quite a distance away but when the wind blows the right way, you can hear what sounds like hundreds of them barking. <p></p><p>Back at camp, the sun was just starting to set. I took a seat on my beach chair to get ready to enjoy the show. Waves rolling ashore, a gentle, warm breeze and a roaring fire under a clear, star-lit sky. It doesn't get much better than that!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZCjeqXESnFiDQWp_ZuAA7ykK0dDXsa79EjA5OmhO32avReuGAA-LNODuXR825ljB-EVDJldltSI-26gWEqkPAzXv0wjG7sYQ97GpXggP41MpyfL6meR1oji03CrZ4xBu70SqSuQMp6bZ3PWnoenorMrP3yBmyJtSdkp7_t-6ylWf4uNP1dwkucLgAQ/s2048/301117121_10160798877380961_8148508074909300432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZCjeqXESnFiDQWp_ZuAA7ykK0dDXsa79EjA5OmhO32avReuGAA-LNODuXR825ljB-EVDJldltSI-26gWEqkPAzXv0wjG7sYQ97GpXggP41MpyfL6meR1oji03CrZ4xBu70SqSuQMp6bZ3PWnoenorMrP3yBmyJtSdkp7_t-6ylWf4uNP1dwkucLgAQ/w480-h640/301117121_10160798877380961_8148508074909300432_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I slept like a baby that night. I don't know if it was the soothing nature sounds that lulled me into a deep sleep or the fact that it was so warm that night. I fell asleep quickly and didn't wake up until the crack of dawn. <br /></p><p>For once, it wasn't cold and damp first thing in the morning! That's one of my least favourite things about camping! I took an early morning stroll to the shore to watch the sun come up and listen to the birds chirping. These are things I can't enjoy at home so I cherish them every chance I get! Before I poured my cereal into a bowl, I went down over the hill where I spotted a lush blueberry patch the day before. I scoped up a handful to jazz up my otherwise plain bowl of cereal. I could live outdoors!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHmmesp1HSk_xE6tGikI0yjD0XBRJcoEfgxgJTZDTt6EleEvfehHa3a2GgRDsXEchmmSBRE4QZrZgGaBKQn391HygZw23mOJOtciD7OqR9BRgV-ppfNh211jWn7QfORvWOLkaW6JFO3Otxt0CkrKD4N4Rh9AGhqiJhHoijDbAthkj5Gn-swL5ctBEGw/s2048/301559509_10160798877545961_4714565198171179481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHmmesp1HSk_xE6tGikI0yjD0XBRJcoEfgxgJTZDTt6EleEvfehHa3a2GgRDsXEchmmSBRE4QZrZgGaBKQn391HygZw23mOJOtciD7OqR9BRgV-ppfNh211jWn7QfORvWOLkaW6JFO3Otxt0CkrKD4N4Rh9AGhqiJhHoijDbAthkj5Gn-swL5ctBEGw/w480-h640/301559509_10160798877545961_4714565198171179481_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>We took another walk along the shore in the other direction and sat by the river in the sun while we enjoyed some cold beers. Tearing down the tents is always faster than putting them up so, in no time, we had everything packed up and in the cars. We always part this way; Dad heads towards Framboise to look for wildlife and fish the brooks and I head towards St. Peter's for coffee. On this day, the temperatures were climbing into the mid-20s so I took the long way and made a stop at Point Michaud Beach. I rarely swim at this beach as the water temperature is usually much colder than what I'm used to on this side of Cape Breton Island. However, on this day, the water temperature was a beautiful 21 degrees Celsius. I spotted a friend walking through the parking lot and she confirmed it for me; "the water is lovely with a gentle wave". Good thing I brought my swimsuit! </p><p>She was right, the water was lovely. I stayed in for about an hour and reluctantly dried off when the air started to cool in the late afternoon. Well, I think you know by now what came next if you've been following this blog and my trips to Framboise! Coffee in St Peter's and the long drive home on Route 4 along the scenic Bras d'Or Lakes. Another one ticked off my summer 2022 bucket list. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-13994746013752065862023-01-21T11:36:00.002-08:002023-01-21T11:37:49.520-08:00A Cape Breton Family Road Trip<p>"I'll only go for a drive if it's not for too long" was the response my sister gave my father when he proposed we go on a father/daughters day trip somewhere on Cape Breton Island. Years ago, my father loved going for long drives but now that he prefers to just go from point A to point B, he seemed pleased with this. "We'll, where would you girls like to go?". My suggestions of Inverness or Ingonish was too far and my sisters suggestion of Louisbourg was shot down because it's always too cold and foggy there. We all agreed that there wasn't much to do in Baddeck that time of year and The Cabot Trail was out of the question! There really was only one other area of the island we could go. Well, it was actually several areas that were interconnected via a series of back roads. Dad suggested the route. He said it wasn't a long drive. He was wrong. </p><p>With no destination in mind, we just drove and ended up on the 125 Bypass and than onto route 4. I think Dad was hoping we would go to his favourite spot in Framboise but instead of keeping straight in East Bay, we decided to head towards Iona. Not a bad choice; it's a beautiful drive through Northside East Bay, Eskasoni and Grand Narrows. However, in Eskasoni, we found ourselves unsure of where to go next. </p><p>"How about we take the ferry at Little Narrows, drive up the Trans Canada Highway and take the Turn-off to Orangedale, drive through Marble Mountain and stop in St Peter's for supper before taking the back way home through Framboise" dad suggested. "It shouldn't be too long of a drive" he reassured my than 7-months pregnant sister who made it clear she was not in the mood for a terribly long day on the road. <br /></p><p>I love the drive through Northside East Bay and Eskasoni in the fall when the leaves are starting to change. Really, any drive along the Bras d'Or Lakes is nice any time of year! We passed through Eskasoni and almost made it to our first destination when we met a road block. Odd since we did not see any signs indicating there was a detour ahead. A road maintenance worker confirmed that yes we indeed had to turn back the way we came. I remember many years ago a friend pointed out that I don't pay enough attention to road signs. I guess the same can be said for my father and my sister. None of us noticed the sign 15 kilometres back that warned of a road block ahead. There was even a big flashing arrow pointing to where we needed to go to make the detour around the area where the work was being done. </p><p>We finally made it to Grand Narrows and Iona. We took a little break to enjoy the views from the high parking lot at the Highland Village Museum before moving on. Once we made it across Little Narrows on the car ferry, we drove west along the Trans Canada Highway before making the turnoff towards Orangedale and Marble Mountain. </p><p>The road that goes through Marble Mountain and area has been described as one of the worse on the island and we discovered that that was indeed true! Potholes so big I thought the car would fall apart or we would end up in the ditch trying to get around them! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz3qsmG_IU_dvI2uB3KiSMRXfz_gvJrHNGPLJIOYlTvpoNs68emfBXfkF_lEk4kFz2AoTQWTbE-6xXOLlGIs6m59hkKlXbdculfjFvUxP3snuJMJMFmbn6CgnWTMzyCP99VjRqVYtuJY5GsCtBr4_Xi4NMWdQASwKajq_npMtD1jORFzRgtzDacnsFA/s640/fram%20marble2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz3qsmG_IU_dvI2uB3KiSMRXfz_gvJrHNGPLJIOYlTvpoNs68emfBXfkF_lEk4kFz2AoTQWTbE-6xXOLlGIs6m59hkKlXbdculfjFvUxP3snuJMJMFmbn6CgnWTMzyCP99VjRqVYtuJY5GsCtBr4_Xi4NMWdQASwKajq_npMtD1jORFzRgtzDacnsFA/w640-h426/fram%20marble2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Somehow, we made it across that bumpy old road intact and drove into the pretty little town of St. Peters. At <span>Louie's Cosy Corner, we sat down to a hearty meal and relaxed before making the final leg of the journey. We had two options to choose from: head down Route 4 along the Bras d'Or Lakes or take the "back way" through one of the most rural areas of the island through Grand River, Franboise, Forchu and Gabarus. We choose the back way. Why not at that point. We had already been on the road much longer than we intended so why not make the most of it?</span><p></p><p><span>We stopped at one of our favorite beaches and stretched our legs near Grand River. It's so peaceful in this part of the island. All you can hear is the wind howling through the trees, the seagulls squawking and the waves crashing ashore. We took our time going over that incredibly bumpy highway known as the Fleur de Lis Trail (it was almost as bad as the road going through Marble Mountain) and watched for deer and other animals that often come out in the early evening. </span></p><p><span>It was dark when we got home. Tired we were but also satisfied with the lovely day spent together. After all, with a new baby and winter on the way, it could be a while before we get another chance to hit the road together! <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfkZdsWkLtjs8Wd__3vdW4dHNnu-3SLaU2ViOf2G0kW9UCERE_eHY0JLk0H10k57GGENqvH8Nnd2PRo8XJip1e5tJM-ylZzAZuCjfS7Y4e88Df3vZoIppKcH2dJdGcyjP2sX68g88bmCNNZHqMJCMDnew4Rhe5r6_SvHxerQxl8d_sxo4R0e6Z43bzg/s2048/frammarble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfkZdsWkLtjs8Wd__3vdW4dHNnu-3SLaU2ViOf2G0kW9UCERE_eHY0JLk0H10k57GGENqvH8Nnd2PRo8XJip1e5tJM-ylZzAZuCjfS7Y4e88Df3vZoIppKcH2dJdGcyjP2sX68g88bmCNNZHqMJCMDnew4Rhe5r6_SvHxerQxl8d_sxo4R0e6Z43bzg/w480-h640/frammarble.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-41555212808287936442022-12-13T06:41:00.001-08:002022-12-13T06:44:31.740-08:00The Forgotten Beach - A Day at Black Brook Beach<p>I first started going to Ingonish as a child but I really started spending a lot of time there when I was a teenager and a friend of mine had a camper parked at the Broad Cove Campground. That was my first real introduction to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. I went back and forth to that camper for several summers before my parents bought one and parked it a few lots away on that same campground. That family I had been spending summers with prior to that had moved away and no longer came to Broad Cove but I continued to go and have been going there every year since. </p><p>I remember the first time I went to Black Brook Beach. My friends mother packed us all into the truck and drove ten minutes north into the National Park between Broad Cove and Neil's Harbour. Of course, having never been there before, I thought we were going to take a dip in a freshwater brook! There is a brook there with freshwater that leads to the ocean which is lined by one of the most beautiful little beaches I had ever seen. </p><p>For many years, I returned to that beach but, for some reason, I stopped going and started swimming at other area beaches like Ingonish Beach and North Bay. I think it was a partially because more people started going there so it got quite crowded and the beach was getting smaller and smaller every year so there was less space on it. </p><p>I don't know for sure how long I stayed away from Black Brook but I'd say it was at least 15 years. That streak was broken this year when I finally returned to my once favourite beach and I'm sure glad I did!</p><p>I picked up a friend at the Joyful Journey's campground in Jersey Cove and headed to Ingonish for the day. Our intention was to swim at The Point as I've had luck there recently. It's calm, it's sandy and I rarely see jellyfish there. However, on this day, it was calm and sandy but it was polluted with jellyfish! We headed to Ingonish Beach to check it out and alas, polluted with jellyfish too! North Bay was too rough and covered in seaweed. </p><p>Defeated, I suggested we try one last place, my old favourite, Black Brook. When we arrived, the parking lot was almost empty which was a good sign especially since it was high tide and there would be very little space on the beach. </p><p>Things looked decent from the parking lot. The water looked clear, there was a gentle rolling wave and there were a few people in the water. However, I couldn't tell if there were any jelly fish lurking on the surface! Upon closer inspection, I saw none so the remaining test was the water temperature. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6QE0ViBVgs-zNy5pSKdr3X4K9JzNzakjafAggNZ0RxUlE9nwbiQjDKP36i6FkLwa-SKtzba5JBqXBDBZ3w7-Fdzpm844FzpLkfJV3KcBA6eSUTDzcV1xxy8iBtL77JELmKzUOP1wuRFKKr92lhfc2SGmgJZe53F7KfbCd6Wz7qKaOmgwKvyot-HgOw/s4032/IMG-0608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6QE0ViBVgs-zNy5pSKdr3X4K9JzNzakjafAggNZ0RxUlE9nwbiQjDKP36i6FkLwa-SKtzba5JBqXBDBZ3w7-Fdzpm844FzpLkfJV3KcBA6eSUTDzcV1xxy8iBtL77JELmKzUOP1wuRFKKr92lhfc2SGmgJZe53F7KfbCd6Wz7qKaOmgwKvyot-HgOw/w640-h480/IMG-0608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> We set up on the beach and stripped down to our swimsuits. I put my toes in first. It felt warm. I inched in a little more. It still felt warm. I beckoned for my friend to join me and, reluctantly, she did. She found it cold. I'm sure I have a higher tolerance for ocean water as it always seems like everyone else finds it cold! I dove in. It was warm. She dove in and found it just tolerable. Nevertheless, we enjoyed swimming in those clear waters for the rest of the afternoon. <p></p><p>When my friend complained about her legs being numb and headed to shore, I stayed in the water for about another hour. I could have stayed longer if I hadn't gotten so hungry. The option to eat out is always there while on road trips around Cape Breton and there are quite a few amazing restaurants around the Ingonish area. However, I prefer my old standby when the weather is nice and I prefer to be outdoors by the ocean; an egg sandwich, yogurt and granola bar. This has been my standard beach meal since I can remember. It serves me well. Filling and healthy. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWat7SmGVAvnsK1gnuCHcweo4L5sp8hp996M7Rlne_y-ZXz3XAKhziUQyK9Wio_tE-jYk8C6dnbpuxSbw4CkIdV4b7hfnWtHGA5hFaJJqM9CjpF_iXofUtSOeXfBa60nru0qgR5aUSjY-vTsZMAzCl4Mt_lZtUhY22EFac0VyQ_yc571BTcOCiirBGTQ/s4032/IMG-0611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWat7SmGVAvnsK1gnuCHcweo4L5sp8hp996M7Rlne_y-ZXz3XAKhziUQyK9Wio_tE-jYk8C6dnbpuxSbw4CkIdV4b7hfnWtHGA5hFaJJqM9CjpF_iXofUtSOeXfBa60nru0qgR5aUSjY-vTsZMAzCl4Mt_lZtUhY22EFac0VyQ_yc571BTcOCiirBGTQ/w640-h480/IMG-0611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> When the clouds started rolling in, the wind picked up and it looked like we might get a rain shower, we packed everything up and headed for the shelter of the car just in time to miss the inevitable. When we reached North Bay, the rain had stopped and we went for an evening stroll along that long beautiful beach before making the long journey back to the campground in Jersey Cove. <br /><p></p><p>I prefer staying in a tent when I camp but a camper trailer is the next best thing. It's closer to nature than my apartment in town. We ate some snacks and sat around a campfire before the distant thunder sounded like it was getting closer. I slept like a baby to the sound of crickets, thunder and the water rolling ashore at the beach nearby. In the morning, I watched some hummingbirds feeding on the deck and a bald eagle soaring above. The drive home wasn't as peaceful as the drive the night before. It was a workday for most people and everyone was heading to jobs and appointments in the city. But that's ok because I had the memories of the day and night before to think about as I drove back into civilization. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-29470967050546650052022-11-13T15:31:00.000-08:002022-11-13T15:31:02.168-08:00Afternoons Spent in the Ocean are the Best Part of Summer<p>Back in early July, many parts of the world were baking under extreme heat warnings while here in Atlantic Canada, temperatures were still in the single digits, the north winds were howling and rain was an almost daily disappointment. I've always said the best thing about living on Cape Breton Island is our beautiful summers, however, early in the summer of 2022, it didn't look like we would have a summer at all! Than, all of a sudden, it hit. </p><p>Extreme heat, record-breaking temperatures and humidity, blaring sun and long stretches without precipitation. That was the weather we were blessed with (or cursed with depending on how you feel about this type of extreme weather) for weeks starting in mid-July. People around me complained endlessly about the heat and some even wished for snow. I thought they were foolish because I, personally, was loving it! Perhaps that was because I was lucky enough to be able to spend most of my afternoons at the beach, in the ocean with a refreshing sea breeze and the cool waters of the North Atlantic caressing my skin. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GeKWfBV4pnt2z4bUMbuuabxVz1EgdWVlD2HWZ4J6EYV_rt3Emuk8OBNgCS36696gnx_tjgFYzNcq9Z8KwZRWLvVySjSaogUnMi4N9fpuiukBHA3sQMcXJYmZ6mBksdKsf_-Kph8FAppNf7yBLIy04IvQ_U0-owmZ29N60WaauKlwXWY_T-KWdYGbkQ/s4032/302409687_620975222754849_5099833087364516387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GeKWfBV4pnt2z4bUMbuuabxVz1EgdWVlD2HWZ4J6EYV_rt3Emuk8OBNgCS36696gnx_tjgFYzNcq9Z8KwZRWLvVySjSaogUnMi4N9fpuiukBHA3sQMcXJYmZ6mBksdKsf_-Kph8FAppNf7yBLIy04IvQ_U0-owmZ29N60WaauKlwXWY_T-KWdYGbkQ/w480-h640/302409687_620975222754849_5099833087364516387_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> I've always loved the ocean. I love the ocean in all seasons. I love being by the ocean. I love being in the ocean. I love everything about the ocean. I love the smell of it, the sound of it, the feel of it, the look of it. I even love the taste of it! When that salt water hits my lips, I'm taken back to my childhood when mom would coax us kids out of the water to eat our lunch. With fingers wrinkled from hours spent in the water, the salt on those wrinkled fingers would transfer to our peanut butter sandwiches to give a delicious sweet and salty taste that only people who grew up along the ocean can relate to. <p></p><p>I love the ocean so much that I have a hard time understanding how anyone else couldn't love it. I wondered about this a lot this summer when I listened to the people around me complaining about the heat and how they had nowhere to go to escape it. It boggled my mind how they could be only minutes away from the world's biggest swimming pool and not want to jump in that clear, blue water. </p><p>I also learned that there are people who don't like the feel of sand between their toes. I'm sorry, what?!? One of my life's greatest pleasures is taking my shoes off and burying my feet in the sand. A close second would be walking barefoot in the surf. But none of these things compare to being completely immersed in the ocean, at one with that immense body of water. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTZdvIrzUsllcpLjKvHH2D-dVICZfY5bOC-mMYDSwZssDKvIubSA_52Sa5JsyY-_czzI--Lem_jv4BewcQNu14s3R3QpgTed-LtcqeoNrJozRYVp_MfAQfKJL1Ukcv40tdkMaxhPr42APmIVqOhedJDU6HPUQgch-74B6oEd_syf182dl00-BNKTRSA/s4032/314735955_664830148710343_8296421962261778575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTZdvIrzUsllcpLjKvHH2D-dVICZfY5bOC-mMYDSwZssDKvIubSA_52Sa5JsyY-_czzI--Lem_jv4BewcQNu14s3R3QpgTed-LtcqeoNrJozRYVp_MfAQfKJL1Ukcv40tdkMaxhPr42APmIVqOhedJDU6HPUQgch-74B6oEd_syf182dl00-BNKTRSA/w480-h640/314735955_664830148710343_8296421962261778575_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Dominion Beach is my beach of choice when it comes to escaping the heat close to home. It's only a ten-minute drive from my house, it's beautiful, it's long and it's sandy. I've been going there since I was a kid. I'm 42 now so I've been going there for a long time. It changed a lot since the 80s when I first started going there. <p></p><p>I don't go to the area where the lifeguards are. It's too noisy and crowded there. I park in the parking lot on the other end, walk over the bridge and walk along the boardwalk to the end and another few minutes along the beach until I reach my spot. It's a lobster trap that washed up in a storm a few years back. It's position mid-beach is the perfect location for my afternoon swims. I found a piece of plywood that also washed up in a storm and placed it on top of the lobster trap to make a comfortable bench. </p><p>On days when it's more crowded, like on weekends or holidays, I'll reach my spot to find someone else sitting there. As much as I love it, I never ask them to move, instead I'm happy to see someone enjoying it as much as I do. I take a seat on the large piece of driftwood that's nearby and is equally comfortable when my spot is occupied. </p><p>It doesn't take me long to settle in. I don't take any of that bulky, colorful beach gear with me. No umbrellas, tents, toys, chairs or kitchen sink. Just myself, a towel and an Alexander Keith's. My main goal is getting into that water as soon as possible! No wasted time spent sitting on the beach working on my tan or engaging in small talk with the regulars. Time wasters, I say! Plenty of time for beach gossip after the sun goes down or the bay freezes over. The window in which I can enjoy being in the ocean is much too small to spend on shore. Mid-July to early October if I'm lucky. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJ7_O46g9bvyJkPW4K5iNJB6f2KjS3_n-VAespnkLCmvWKEsQTb0Bzp5wmf1eVVMddn5Eb8LUFi3M33tfNtBpI2g85ME-K54Wh6Jzm3OEwg4yk6RdJbCLb1gX2nDh25PQS_f0v9LWCtJXvkvLRlfMdUjsuGRUH9wyI-2KaSpn8CNxyKGJh5OWnmVblg/s4032/315500800_1334030550466225_4551684510266982222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJ7_O46g9bvyJkPW4K5iNJB6f2KjS3_n-VAespnkLCmvWKEsQTb0Bzp5wmf1eVVMddn5Eb8LUFi3M33tfNtBpI2g85ME-K54Wh6Jzm3OEwg4yk6RdJbCLb1gX2nDh25PQS_f0v9LWCtJXvkvLRlfMdUjsuGRUH9wyI-2KaSpn8CNxyKGJh5OWnmVblg/w480-h640/315500800_1334030550466225_4551684510266982222_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Whether the water is clear and calm or rough and murky, I take it as it is. When it's clear, I watch the crabs and lobsters inching closer to my feet for an inspection. Sometimes I let them grab them, other times I keep moving away as I watch in amusement as they try to catch me. When it's calm, I lay on my back and enjoy a relaxing float while watching the clouds go by above. When it's rough, I let the waves push me ashore to be sucked back out to catch another one. If the water is murky, I'm not as relaxed as usual. I like to see what's around me especially when we now know there are Great White sharks lurking close to Cape Breton's shores. <br /><p></p><p>When I've had enough, I take my place on my makeshift bench and have a cold one while the hot sun dries me off and the sound of the ocean lulls me into a relaxed state of being where I forget about the problems of the world for a little while. They float away with the breeze. I'm usually shaken out of that state by a seagull impatiently squawking at my feet looking for a handout. </p><p>When the sun sinks low in the sky, the air cools and the mosquitoes come out to play, that's when I know it's time to head home. Reluctantly. Sometimes I return at sunset to watch the last rays of the sun slip into the horizon while my feet soak in the warm surf. Sometimes I just stay home and wait with anticipation for my next trip to the beach. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-50676268014029015482022-10-23T17:57:00.001-07:002022-10-23T17:57:08.208-07:00A Night in Jersey Cove, Cape Breton<p>Jersey Cove is a beautiful community on Cape Breton Island. It's close to everything, it has mountains, hills, ocean, forest, hiking trails and scenic look-offs. However, I never really spent much time there until recently. Sure, as a child, I visited the Giant MacAskill Museum on the Englishtown side of the ferry and beachcombed along the beach near the ferry docks but on most of my visits to this pretty little community, I was just passing through to get somewhere else. Most of my visits consisted of waiting for the car ferry to pick me up and take me across the little channel to the highway on the other side that would take me to Ingonish or around the Cabot Trail. </p><p>I had the chance to spend a little bit of time in Englishtown this summer. Well, it was Jersey Cove on the other side of the channel to be exact. I got on the ferry and instead of driving through to go somewhere else, I stopped at the Joyful Journeys campground and spent an evening with a friend who recently parked her camper trailer there for the summer. </p><p>I'd been to that campground a few times in the past to visit friends of friends on the way home from Ingonish. I admit, it didn't do much for me but to be fair, whenever I stopped there, it was dark and the visit only lasted 20 minutes at most. I didn't seem like my kind of place. It looked small, there was no sandy beach and the trailers looked they were too close together for my liking. I'm used to camping at Broad Cove in Ingonish where there are lots of trees, a long sandy beach and plenty of space for privacy between lots. </p><p>The visit I enjoyed this past July was different from the past ones. It was daytime and I had more time to explore and actually enjoy it. </p><p>A trip to a nearby beach that I never new existed was one of the highlights of the trip! I love finding new beaches and this was a nice one, too! A walk along the shore, a drive around the area (there's a hiking trail I never knew about so, of course, I made a mental note to check it out next time!), watching some adorable humming birds in the bird feeders, watching eagles soar above the water, stargazing on a picnic table by the shore and relaxing around a campfire before turning in for the night were some of the other highlights. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rXtouR6rSxnvjZfll4amZO6wFd-6CI77ah2drOjRIGGIxwPo9TMZDHaG8YWhFSgwgwWaleFhB0s1DLOPGpvj52MrzmrMiofW4WDi-G0R_ul8zZdETcFArOz3Rm4W8uEIQSaDoeMc6WZqtrCqGhg-BYyEsnC7dO0Z7F4nasUHVdA29OEi8wR3hGPWRA/s4032/311505461_1115753212419646_919587662760011105_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rXtouR6rSxnvjZfll4amZO6wFd-6CI77ah2drOjRIGGIxwPo9TMZDHaG8YWhFSgwgwWaleFhB0s1DLOPGpvj52MrzmrMiofW4WDi-G0R_ul8zZdETcFArOz3Rm4W8uEIQSaDoeMc6WZqtrCqGhg-BYyEsnC7dO0Z7F4nasUHVdA29OEi8wR3hGPWRA/w480-h640/311505461_1115753212419646_919587662760011105_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Now that I know there's more to Jersey Cove than I thought, I'll stop there more often and enjoy its natural wonders!<br /><p></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-61777188511009059582022-10-16T14:28:00.000-07:002022-10-16T14:28:55.187-07:00A Weekend at Rita's Retreat<p>As a child, I got a kick out of driving up the long driveway in Coxheath, Cape Breton and admiring that beautiful home with the well-manicured lawn and indoor swimming pool. "look, I think that's her in the kitchen" my mother quipped one day. "Her" being renowned Cape Breton singer/songwriter Rita MacNeil. Every time we went for a family Sunday drive, us kids would be in the back seat chiming "can we drive around Rita's mansion?". And that's what we would do. No one seemed to mind us taking a little peak. Just a young, nosy family out for a drive, trying to catch a glimpse of a local celebrity.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpDY43kW2-Jf05_X0a0vfClIKCoL8tVmvwOo_YNzE_jpAUHRG6SyjSXLgEcLCGXMeNuR_xFo5wCIfAnsU_svYhIieXOqSDtX2caEAWFvG3kzdnZjE9lgGFn5XlgUhKGpMpjVLhlqs52KY7YLavpY09JE4_RGydP-R13q7Mr7Ov3QdIs7Vquj0peEL_Q/s1683/283622514_590300292294656_4444244492078645600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpDY43kW2-Jf05_X0a0vfClIKCoL8tVmvwOo_YNzE_jpAUHRG6SyjSXLgEcLCGXMeNuR_xFo5wCIfAnsU_svYhIieXOqSDtX2caEAWFvG3kzdnZjE9lgGFn5XlgUhKGpMpjVLhlqs52KY7YLavpY09JE4_RGydP-R13q7Mr7Ov3QdIs7Vquj0peEL_Q/w365-h400/283622514_590300292294656_4444244492078645600_n.jpg" width="365" /></a></div> Years later, Sunday drives with my parents were replaced by coffee runs and aimless road trips with friends. For many years, I didn't lay eyes on that beautiful home in Coxheath. It wasn't until June of 2022 that I would get to see the house again and even sleep inside! <p></p><p>I received a call from my friend inviting me to a party that was taking place at an Airbnb in Coxheath. After not getting out much for more than 2 years due to Covid, I jumped at the chance to get out of the house and do something different and see some people I haven't seen in a long time. Curious as to where exactly the Airbnb was so I would easily find it when the time came, I searched for the address on Google Maps. That's when I learned that I would be staying at that house I used to beg my parents to drive by on those long ago family drives!</p><p>I drove up to the house and it was almost exactly as I remembered it. I couldn't wait to get inside! I always imagined what it would look like inside and I have to say, I was quite impressed! As an Airbnb, Rita's Retreat has everything! Well, first of all it's huge! The main house where I stayed had several bathrooms, a games room, a huge fully-equipped kitchen, dining room, piano room, sun porch, and large patio. However, the best part was the indoor swimming pool!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfVzKtRic7f3sTWKsAL_JMuHzASsHXtbNX-ZlTFTxYeWbsUqqlbih7wPaNeXSADtktXSjZe8nfG3Sab2CmTpaRPLLar8wqyuOCOSRtmkYtLA5UWsWKW5UJ1jIYPcOpce1wAzR-qTHSzxHNgjNSAQZmgtiYxLCQcthfAHTJBM7-Mhnpqlr7WOgTgFinw/s2048/299942782_814912923017835_2960824566706426283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfVzKtRic7f3sTWKsAL_JMuHzASsHXtbNX-ZlTFTxYeWbsUqqlbih7wPaNeXSADtktXSjZe8nfG3Sab2CmTpaRPLLar8wqyuOCOSRtmkYtLA5UWsWKW5UJ1jIYPcOpce1wAzR-qTHSzxHNgjNSAQZmgtiYxLCQcthfAHTJBM7-Mhnpqlr7WOgTgFinw/w480-h640/299942782_814912923017835_2960824566706426283_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>There was drinks and pizza around the dining room table before venturing to the bottom of the hill to sit around a campfire. Even though it was quite late when I returned to the house, I couldn't resist a late-night swim in the beautiful pool. </p><p>All in all, I strongly recommend anyone local looking for a beautiful place to host an overnight event like a family reunion or any large families traveling in Cape Breton to book this amazing property but I hear it's quite popular and can book up quickly!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5eLPg2V7Y4Lxj1FPGVa8tk1IMN68Ge5NC9VHcEhgE7E5_DOSq_5dq8v0jS0KyCUwe_brZAkRY-uF1KmS31SntfmPts-M8dfPGOJMBYj90flhOZIVqcnfSNSrViEnJq089gdm53Dc2P_STq5CrLjXqN4e80n9AcSfNv8rrpmEgVAAlWIoLIE7QNSDBg/s2048/281535709_423137416056947_28428343797726771_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5eLPg2V7Y4Lxj1FPGVa8tk1IMN68Ge5NC9VHcEhgE7E5_DOSq_5dq8v0jS0KyCUwe_brZAkRY-uF1KmS31SntfmPts-M8dfPGOJMBYj90flhOZIVqcnfSNSrViEnJq089gdm53Dc2P_STq5CrLjXqN4e80n9AcSfNv8rrpmEgVAAlWIoLIE7QNSDBg/w480-h640/281535709_423137416056947_28428343797726771_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1KzUP6XmPmPjZwHnXmckVStyE7VWaJyM-rka6zn0cFh1WW3FXaYC1USTV8_2vBQqzsT8GpFK13rmUFbeVPmK9FP8ZCUxTSig8WNIYndPy0_T8zKyMUKJtF0G56-q6GudnrWrQ3Fl1g98VcM-0ZsPm3rUp4b02VXz1fJCdmwPUQnYOGKT3qS1rQugsQ/s2048/283701948_551646063008878_1946433617388445316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1KzUP6XmPmPjZwHnXmckVStyE7VWaJyM-rka6zn0cFh1WW3FXaYC1USTV8_2vBQqzsT8GpFK13rmUFbeVPmK9FP8ZCUxTSig8WNIYndPy0_T8zKyMUKJtF0G56-q6GudnrWrQ3Fl1g98VcM-0ZsPm3rUp4b02VXz1fJCdmwPUQnYOGKT3qS1rQugsQ/w480-h640/283701948_551646063008878_1946433617388445316_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-28248041315186949362022-09-04T18:11:00.001-07:002022-09-04T18:11:37.683-07:00Book Review - Secrets of a River Swimmer <p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"> Secrets of a River Swimmer</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">A Novel by S. S. Turner<br /></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">My intention was to finish this book
sooner, but things didn't work out that way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did start reading it as soon as I got it back in March and at about
the half-way mark, things started going a little haywire as life sometimes has
a tendency to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked it, it caught
and kept my interest until I was forced to put it down for a
while. I finally finished it...and here is what I thought.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Be warned that you'll need to pay attention
to catch onto what's going on at the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once you realize that the entire story is an eclectic, playful and
sometimes dark mix of reality and fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There's no right or wrong way to interpret what's going on; I think the
main objective of the book is to realize that not everyone's life is as rosy as
it appears and behind closed doors, everyone has their issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it can be interpreted in many ways,
but that's the gist. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Without going into too much detail and
spoiling the book for you, it's basically about the main character who is
having some issues in life and contemplates ending it all before jumping
into a river and into a world of fantasy where he meets other characters much like him and
others with questionable motives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a
goal in mind, he sets out on the path to something better. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I liken this story to something like Alice
in Wonderland without the children's elements. It's quirky, it's funny, it's
relatable and it's sometimes sad. I loved the various pop culture references
throughout that brought some familiarity to the overall picture. As you follow
the main character's adventure, you'll be taken to unexpected places, you'll
meet fascinating characters and you'll learn new life lessons and things to
ponder in your own life. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">My final thoughts? I loved it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading this book helped me realize that I'm
not alone in any suffering I experience and there is a light at the end of the
tunnel if you just seek what it is you need to get through it. </span></p>
<p></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-8820806778283730492022-08-03T18:13:00.003-07:002022-08-03T18:13:36.337-07:00A Hike Down The Long Road to Caplin Cove<div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Another Great Cape Breton Hiking Adventure Before the Summer Heat<br /></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">But First, the Long Drive on that Familiar (and Bumpy) Road - The Fleur de Lis Trail</h4><p>I know that road in rural Cape Breton like the back of my hand. Probably not as well as my father knows it as he's been driving it weekly for the past 60-some years, but I know it quite well. On this particular day, driving along the Fleur de Lis Trail from the exit from the Sydney Bypass (or 125 as it's often referred to), through Marion Bridge, Gabarus, Forchu, Framboise St, Esprit, L'Archeveque and Grand River felt like deja vu because I had just done the exact same drive less than a week earlier. <br /></p>Again, I met my friend in the parking lot of the big church in Grand River and we drove together to Caplin Cove. Well, not exactly to Caplin Cove but to the road leading to Caplin Cove. The road is not well-traveled which means it's in very poor condition. We drove a little bit and when the conditions deteriorated, we parked and hiked the rest of the way. But that was the intention of the day anyway; to go hiking!<br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">A Long, Difficult Trek to the Coast</h4><p>I hoped we would be able to drive in at least a kilometer or two before the road got bad. I knew the road was about 7 kilometers in so that would make the trek 14 kilometers total and I wasn't sure if we would have the time. Alas, we had no choice. My car wasn't going any further on that road! </p><p>We coated ourselves in sunscreen and bug spray and grabbed our gear and a few beers to have on the beach when we arrived and headed off on that old wood road into the unknown. </p><p>The walking was good for a while and then I saw it in the distance; a huge puddle. Actually, it was more like a lake right in the middle of the road. I just knew by the size of it and how it went clear across the entire road that we have to do some bushwhacking to get around this one. We carefully made our way through the bushes ad swarms of flies and emerged with wet feet, bug bites and branches stuck in our hair. I hoped this would be the only such obstacle we would face. Boy, was I wrong. </p><p>Long story short, there ended up being 18 more large puddles like this, some even worse. After several hours of navigating around them, we emerged at the coast soaking wet, full of mud and covered in bug bites. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQzbGcciwpGpAPaJpgCrWj4fK4CIUOGK9-l9SsewfiwBBqgQD2lDVgAbtSilgB9rTh0FBBe6bYFGkmnwtrhERT2cVIrqdwgIYGG7vdHldw9ETPlJK2LmwsrjBCBr3KyW45TbyhWUKUrm6rZiVoTeX95sUUOQ7WlaYs1-OrQQHoFhzhElOQJzabZJnQw/s403/284231281_368834398678155_4675884923560880252_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="302" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQzbGcciwpGpAPaJpgCrWj4fK4CIUOGK9-l9SsewfiwBBqgQD2lDVgAbtSilgB9rTh0FBBe6bYFGkmnwtrhERT2cVIrqdwgIYGG7vdHldw9ETPlJK2LmwsrjBCBr3KyW45TbyhWUKUrm6rZiVoTeX95sUUOQ7WlaYs1-OrQQHoFhzhElOQJzabZJnQw/w480-h640/284231281_368834398678155_4675884923560880252_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Was it worth it?</h4><p>Despite being tired and battered, I instantly knew we made the right decision to do this hike when I laid eyes on the beautiful scene before me. I forgot how beautiful this rugged, remote coast was and just wanted to see what was beyond every bend! But first, we needed to rest. I pulled two Alexander Keith's out of my backpack and we sat barefoot in the soft sand and enjoyed some cold beer.</p><p>When we felt sufficiently rested, we started hiking to the left side of the beach. One bald eagle. Two bald eagles. Three...four...five...six bald eagles! Seems that we happened onto a bald eagle colony. There were old ones and young ones, perhaps generations of a family not used to seeing people in their peaceful, remote hideaway. </p><p>The wind was strong enough that I could feel a cool mist coming off the ocean as I trekked around bend after bend, curious to know what was behind each one. We found a little beach at a point where it didn't look like a good idea to go any further and ate our lunch. Because it took so long to hike to Caplin Cove and we still had a long hike back, we had to cut our visit short to be out before dark. I took one last look at that incredible vista knowing that it could be another ten years before I lay eyes on it again. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Long Walk Back to Civilization </h4><p>If getting around the large puddles wasn't hard enough, the mosquitoes were out in full force as w started the journey back to the car. I always said it seems like the hike back is always quicker than the hike there. Fortunately, this seemed to be the case on this hike! Or perhaps we just learned how to better navigate those puddles. </p><p>In what seemed like no time, we were back in one piece despite being sunburned, bitten and exhausted. I dropped my friend off at her car and, following tradition, took the long way home with a detour through St. Peters where I grabbed a Timmie's coffee for the road. Now, onto swimming season. Hiking will take a backseat until late September but I'm looking forward to two months of sand, sun and vitamin sea!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025005185143988049.post-52223285763793955372022-07-04T19:00:00.000-07:002022-07-04T19:00:32.677-07:00Summer Has Arrived in Cape Breton!<p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Outdoor Adventures, Sunburns and Bug Bites </h2><h4 style="text-align: left;">Enjoying some Hiking in the first Days of Summer Before it gets too Hot</h4><p>Summer is finally here on <a href="https://www.viator.com/en-NZ/tours/Cape-Breton-Island/Cabot-Trail-Discovery-Tour/d50647-192548P1?pid=P00065332&mcid=42383&medium=link">Cape Breton Island</a> but it's still cool enough to enjoy a few hikes before it gets too hot and my outings turn into lazy beach days swimming in the cool Atlantic Ocean rather than days trekking through the woods in the hot sun. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cTj5g6F0zHzjwz0X9h4tEogp--UPyaO2IVzMUbNVmZIjkPfMQScbcmeyshHMi16n2pJ7O2B9Ys-hJU8xZWBTCGcW_gS239ypFmaveDNJofMeT_PJjZ39Le53ClJ5DSmwZaHv5vR66fyWPr8Z0BIbR7VKhT41-Iw6hzWfWBcZdeB38rDpqFbTmuDScg/s2048/290440410_301343972132734_176269356545039970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cTj5g6F0zHzjwz0X9h4tEogp--UPyaO2IVzMUbNVmZIjkPfMQScbcmeyshHMi16n2pJ7O2B9Ys-hJU8xZWBTCGcW_gS239ypFmaveDNJofMeT_PJjZ39Le53ClJ5DSmwZaHv5vR66fyWPr8Z0BIbR7VKhT41-Iw6hzWfWBcZdeB38rDpqFbTmuDScg/w300-h400/290440410_301343972132734_176269356545039970_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-story-behind-my-renowned-hiking.html">Hiking </a>in the summer is doable but the combination of heat, sun and bugs can make it unbearable at times. I prefer to save my big hikes for the late spring and fall. Recently I embarked on two amazing hikes; one to a location I had never hiked before and the other to a location I haven't hiked in many years and have been longing to get back to.<p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">But First, Lunch <br /></h4><p>The first hike was supposed to be to the place that I had been before but that day turned out to be too windy for a coastal hike. I met my friend in the parking lot of the church in Grand River, Richmond County. Past Gabarus, Forchu and <a href="https://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.com/2019/04/an-early-spring-hike-along-belfry-beach.html">Framboise </a>but before Point Michaud and St. Peter's for those of you are vaguely familiar with the area. For those of you who aren't, it's in southern part of Cape Breton Island in an area off-the-beaten-tourist-path. </p><p>We turned onto a remote gravel road and parked by a very old farmhouse because it looked like a nice spot to have our lunch before heading out on the hike. We sat near the weather-worn steps of the old homestead. <br /></p><p>The house had to be close to 150 years old. I doubt anyone has been inside since the family packed up and vacated it many, many moons ago, no doubt for better employment opportunities in a big city somewhere in New England, Ontario or western Canada. Perhaps their grandchildren and great-grand-children don't even know the old property still exists. The treasures they would find within! A part of their heritage if only they knew about it! After tea and sandwiches, we walked around the old property and found some interesting old farming equipment and some things we weren't quite sure what they were. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtJ6VWsk1k7DililA2KT7SajFyesQKX5vHkhkBgNsymZDmiOmFVpa_oqBX1o0Zr96BdVAnGZXHow2ACpIckVTAFwgPIZONkyT1E59bwApQQ2ykP5Xj9VpG_6-wI6b7v7sxSxtQDT9updqBZHDn109_GlSRYpOzLUBfT_xuz4Ne1NKr695tleTLo90Qg/s2048/288833663_732068534793563_3356526792073709245_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtJ6VWsk1k7DililA2KT7SajFyesQKX5vHkhkBgNsymZDmiOmFVpa_oqBX1o0Zr96BdVAnGZXHow2ACpIckVTAFwgPIZONkyT1E59bwApQQ2ykP5Xj9VpG_6-wI6b7v7sxSxtQDT9updqBZHDn109_GlSRYpOzLUBfT_xuz4Ne1NKr695tleTLo90Qg/w400-h300/288833663_732068534793563_3356526792073709245_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Exploring a New-to-me Trail <br /></h4><p>The trailhead for the hike of the day was only a short distance up this gravel road. We parked and hiked into the forest. I had no idea how long the trail was and there really wasn't any point in asking my friend because every trail is "just a short one" even if it's 10 or 20 kilometers long. I was ok with that. I had nowhere to be, I had nothing planned for that evening and I was just itching to spend a day in the woods. After the long winter and the stress of the pandemic, this was long overdue! I didn't care if it took two hours or 20 hours, I was game. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AYlD30xMSW90YtRxohpMXwi87hnznASoVtIU1K5BbbG0t-UvASy6fQ3j5ub4jJ4YaCscBORq39mIGfbuXzA3g8RD5stfXONGMVyzXpm_zz_S3nj_zjG0rUQTMGHlWo4tBxktTJ9pt2J98TEALyIihJ_Q-ash5Y5y_2cwEUNQ07I2-v_PQoB5EbrH1A/s2048/289021986_345933214343532_6217842242654570634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AYlD30xMSW90YtRxohpMXwi87hnznASoVtIU1K5BbbG0t-UvASy6fQ3j5ub4jJ4YaCscBORq39mIGfbuXzA3g8RD5stfXONGMVyzXpm_zz_S3nj_zjG0rUQTMGHlWo4tBxktTJ9pt2J98TEALyIihJ_Q-ash5Y5y_2cwEUNQ07I2-v_PQoB5EbrH1A/w300-h400/289021986_345933214343532_6217842242654570634_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We walked. And walked some more. All the while catching up on gossip and what has been going on in our lives since we last embarked on a hike the previous fall. The weather was ideal for hiking. Warm enough to not need a jacket and cool enough to be comfortable. There was a lovely, steady breeze that kept the flies at bay and the odd light rain shower which were welcome refreshments. <p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Finding Paradise By A Lake<br /></h4><p>Eventually we arrived at a lake where we thought we would sit and enjoy a cold beer. There was nowhere comfortable to sit and the flies were bad near the water so we moved on to the next one. The next lake was perfect! There was a little shelter with some seats and a nice breeze that kept the flies away. </p><p>There was a slight but constant ripple on the lake and a haze that the sun's rays just barely poked through. The trees rustled in that gentle breeze and the sound lulled me into a relaxed state. The beer also helped. The stillness of the world around me in that moment was so peaceful and the sounds were like the ones you hear on those relaxing yoga soundtracks that city dwellers meditate to after spending 2 hours in rush hour city traffic after a long day at work...but this was the real thing . </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoNAd99pqIYUtJ_nXv3f9n3SmlN2A1I5BsBMBYGtaDc-nVdr2aP_2Ln1K_yZWDDjWBM8hX6zlmZ0fOvfFVBnuXN2CCCrpUbejgsf9PeNlU2OXIoX2TT5WLflu99I72e7ZJk3MvoW1mVn_NvjkPzhvMSd-3GEuamWlSLsEuRV4Ct5qCpHjxNHRCpZemA/s2048/289938351_397907612366104_503582599266920176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoNAd99pqIYUtJ_nXv3f9n3SmlN2A1I5BsBMBYGtaDc-nVdr2aP_2Ln1K_yZWDDjWBM8hX6zlmZ0fOvfFVBnuXN2CCCrpUbejgsf9PeNlU2OXIoX2TT5WLflu99I72e7ZJk3MvoW1mVn_NvjkPzhvMSd-3GEuamWlSLsEuRV4Ct5qCpHjxNHRCpZemA/w300-h400/289938351_397907612366104_503582599266920176_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>There was no sign of the owners of the nearby boat ramp or the little shelter we were occupying. I'm sure if they magically appeared, they wouldn't mind two women sitting down for a cold one. Around here, they'd probably pull out a chair, start a fire, take out some guitars and invite us to stick around for some more. But, we were fine just the way we were and for about an hour, we just sat there and took in as much of those sights and sounds as we could. <br /><p></p><p>We walked for a few more kilometers before reaching an old building perched up high on an embankment. If we weren't really looking at everything so intently, we might have missed it. It was dark-coloured and tucked behind some big trees. My friend tried to access it from one end and found a way in. I went to the other side to check it out but got stuck in some trees and couldn't go any further. It seemed to be some sort of old workshop. Like, really old. Perhaps over 100 years old. I'm not too keen on entering old buildings like that. I'm always afraid they floor will give out! I passed on the opportunity to go inside. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0jdtsj50yvp12yN3EtOcQk2W5YIm3EnFnu6-qAs1cgScX8ms6t3rCJmxBVigy-SqBq5mBePhwET14nSbf_NeAMGdiGg3BTbWlc1-dMKWJErvxxavkHQXsl9RS5s3vKVVb9cXAF3dh9T0jH98r5Kbw9cTwBJ-xwvqsyV2JbHR3xBVJPcZNBg2Q15HVQ/s2048/289387652_568133764711264_6932027484360426798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1637" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0jdtsj50yvp12yN3EtOcQk2W5YIm3EnFnu6-qAs1cgScX8ms6t3rCJmxBVigy-SqBq5mBePhwET14nSbf_NeAMGdiGg3BTbWlc1-dMKWJErvxxavkHQXsl9RS5s3vKVVb9cXAF3dh9T0jH98r5Kbw9cTwBJ-xwvqsyV2JbHR3xBVJPcZNBg2Q15HVQ/w320-h400/289387652_568133764711264_6932027484360426798_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Home Stretch <br /></h4><p>We reached the third lake on this hike and took a little break before finishing the last leg of the trail. It was after 6 in the evening when we got back to the car. The flies were just starting to bite and a heavy rain shower was moving in. Just in time. </p><p>We parted ways but headed in the same direction. Instead of leaving the way I came, I took the long way home and made a detour through St. Peter's where I grabbed a Tim's coffee and took my time driving home along the Bras d'Or Lakes. Midway home, I started feeling a burning sensation in my shoulders and my skin was hot to touch. I pulled over to inspect my "injuries". Sunburn. Great. My advice to you: wear sunscreen when hiking even if it's cloudy and drizzly!<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqEV1c_1lYYelwSlYgaE32OMBR5OGM6-feC9C-lHCFhXvHcb05kq2TEai3mGIha7uBxgAXS3qrhGydovizz7tJkPdrHdRYrkZQYn68cI0irtiNZMvsjkfcmE0dy52eWbSYd9JipIMzHIB8RE1WBAO4Hp6t4dOoDhsBwCH_5AGTdTkrDM4WfH06QBnlA/s2048/287668524_969969797032992_3383105358295136614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqEV1c_1lYYelwSlYgaE32OMBR5OGM6-feC9C-lHCFhXvHcb05kq2TEai3mGIha7uBxgAXS3qrhGydovizz7tJkPdrHdRYrkZQYn68cI0irtiNZMvsjkfcmE0dy52eWbSYd9JipIMzHIB8RE1WBAO4Hp6t4dOoDhsBwCH_5AGTdTkrDM4WfH06QBnlA/w300-h400/287668524_969969797032992_3383105358295136614_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>(Wandering_Grace)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11958945738829621227noreply@blogger.com0