A Mad Dash for Ingonish

It's been a rainy, muggy summer here in Cape Breton.  I mean, yes, we had some sun but mostly on days when I was inside an air-conditioned building at work wishing I was at the beach or camping under the stars.  Even when nice weather happened on the weekend, it was rarely two days in a row which made it hard to enjoy a dry, sunny camping trip that didn't involve either setting up in the rain or waking up in the morning to rain. 

So, last weekend, I came up with an idea.  Thursday evening was forecast to be very nice, Friday was forecast to be nice, Saturday's forecast was rain.  I originally planned to go camping in Ingonish on Friday into Saturday but I hate camping in heavy rain and having to take a wet tent and gear home. I'm off work on Fridays.  So I decided I would leave work at 4:30 on Thursday and drive the 2.5 hours to my favorite campsite and leave later on Friday when it was still dry.  And it turned out perfectly!

I didn't even stop at home on the way, just pulled out of the parking lot at work and drove straight to Ingonish, only stopping for gas.  My plan was to get there in time to set up and be all ready for the night before the sun went down.  Traffic was light and there was no lineup at the Englishtown Ferry. I made it just in time!

With the tent set up, my bed made and everything in it's place, I took a drive down to the point which is about five minutes away from my campsite at Broad Cove, and watched the moon come up while enjoying my coffee.  

Back at my site, I got out my beach chair and set up in a dark corner of the lot and cracked open a beer and waited for the lunar eclipse that would take place later that evening.  When I waited long enough and nothing happened, I went for a walk around the campground.  When I returned, a little piece of the moon was missing.  I got comfortable in my chair and watched the night sky for hours. And the night couldn't have been any more perfect.  It was very warm with no wind, no flies and no clouds. 

When the moon first came up, it was no bright, it was almost like daytime. It was beautiful shining through those tall trees surrounding me! As more of the moon slowly disappeared, it got darker and darker until I could barely see in front of me.  But that night sky!  I don't think I'd ever seen so many stars.  It was close to 1AM by the time the moon was completely covered and the campground had grown so quiet, I could only hear the distant waves washing ashore on Broad Cove Beach. Most everyone had gone to bed leaving me to admire that spectacular night sky alone and in peace and quiet.  

It was quite late when I finally retreated to my tent and the comfy bed I made.  I slept like a log.  I don't remember waking up once during the night and the temperature was prefect for sleeping outdoors.  It's strange because I usually do sleep so much better in a tent than I do in my own bed.  There's just something about the light rustle of leaves, the distant sound of waves rolling ashore and coyotes howling not too far away that lulls me into a peaceful slumber.  Likewise, there's just something about waking up to the sound of birds chirping in the trees!

I was up before 7 the next morning and quickly on my way to North Bay Beach for my morning walk while the dew on the tent dried. After I tore it all down, I headed home.  It was a quick trip but a good one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Cabot Trail Road Trip of the Season

I was late going around the Cabot Trail this year but, like they say, better late than never!  It's been hard planning anything this summer because of work commitments and a forecast with more rain than usual.  One weekend in late August predicted sun and warm temperatures so I planned a day trip.

I left early so I could stop in Jersey Cove and have a visit with my friend who has her trailer there during the summers.  I didn't plan on staying there long but the sparkling waters of the nearby beach called my name and soon after arriving, I had already changed into my swimsuit and was enjoying a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean under a clear blue sky. 

I never swam at that beach before so it was nice to discover a new place to take a dip.  I knew the beach was there but always overlooked it because it was rocky.  And while yes, it is rocky, you only have to walk a few feet before reaching a soft, sandy bottom.  The water was so warm and clear, I could have stayed there all day, but I had to get going if I was going to make it around the trail before dark.

I left Jersey Cove in the early afternoon and headed for Ingonish where I got a coffee and something sweet at a little cafe and enjoyed it while I walked along North Bay Beach. 

I didn't make too many stops on the way to Cheticamp.  I just enjoyed the drive and the spectacular scenery that I never get sick of. In Cheticamp, I stopped for something to eat and grabbed a coffee to enjoy while I sat by the ocean on Cheticamp Island.  I headed home not long after as it was getting dark.  I used to not mind driving at all hours of the night but, as I get older, I don't like taking a chance driving on those dark, lonely country roads after dark.  Or maybe it's just that the world doesn't seem as safe as it was when I first started driving 30 years ago.  

Annual Father-Daughter Camping Trip

And yet another weekend I look forward to every summer is the camping trip I do with my Dad. Our first father-daughter camping trip was over a decade ago when I moved back home after being away for many years and we've gone every year since except during Covid lockdowns.  

We used to go to a secluded spot at the end of a very long gravel road leading to a beautiful beach.  Unfortunately, we have since learned that this spot is on private property and the owner has asked us not to camp there anymore. The past few summer's, we've been camping at Battery Provincial Park in St. Peters.  It's not secluded and certainly not wild like our old spot but the sites at this campground are so large and set back from the road that it feels sort of remote. 

We took the long way to St. Peter's through Marion Bridge, Gabarus, Forchu and Framboise stopping along the way at various points of interest.  We stopped at the beach in Gabarus and walked along the shore searching for treasure with dad's new metal detector.  We stopped in Forchu to take some pictures of the boats going out.  We stopped at our old camping spot and had a picnic.  By the time we made it to St. Peter's, we could check-in and set up camp for the night before the forecasted rain moved in.  There was some thunder in the distance and scattered rain showers throughout the day but nothing compared to the downpour that happened only minutes after I retreated to my tent for the night!

After we set up camp, we visited a couple of the museums around town and grabbed some supper at a restaurant in nearby Louisdale. When it got dark enough, we lit a fire and watched the night sky.  

In the morning, we left everything up to dry and headed to St. Peter's for breakfast.  By the time we returned, everything was ready to pack up.  Dad headed home to same way we came and I headed to Point Michaud Beach to check out the Surf Competition that is held there every year. It's a beautiful beach with clear waters and large rolling waves but I was only able to tolerate the water for about five minutes before I got pins and needles from the cold.  It was not nearly as warm as the water at many of the other beaches around Cape Breton! 

Festiville Baddeck - Another Summer Tradition

When I first moved back to Cape Breton after being away for many years, I immediately started exploring the little island I had taken for granted in my younger years.  I soon learned that Baddeck was a place I really liked spending time in and one such evening wandering around this pretty little village, I found myself in the middle of a lively festival.  I never heard about it before.  It might have been the first time it was held for all I know.  But from that day forward, I made it a point to always be in Baddeck during Festiville and it's one of my favorite events of every summer. 

For some years now, I've recruited a buddy to come along with me to the festivities.  This year was a little different because she had other things going on and couldn't make it so I attended on my own.  It's a little strange wandering such a large crowd by myself but you can easily blend in with people and there's always a familiar face in the crowd.  

I got some home fries and found myself a nice place to sit where I could watch everything going on and hear the live music.  Of course, it being a vacation day and special event, I decided to treat myself to some ice cream (I normally wouldn't have home fries AND ice cream in the same night!)  

When the evening came to a close and everyone started to leave the downtown area, I walked down to the docks and over to the boardwalk where I sat for a long time just watching the boats coming and going and watching some large fish eat smaller fish in the glow of the light shining on the Bras d'Or Lakes. 

I was fortunate enough to be able to find a decent and affordable hotel room near downtown Baddeck for this night.  I walked back from the boardwalk, taking the road along the shore.  It was dark and quiet and there wasn't not a lot of people around by that time, but I felt completely safe and relaxed.  I love living so close to a place like that where I can escape and feel safe and not have a care in the world! 

  

August Long Weekend in the Country

One thing I look forward to every summer for the last 13 years is the August long-weekend trip I take with my friend to Margaree. 

We left on a Friday and, although the weather forecast didn't look all that promising, we made the best of our time there and the best of the moments when the sun was shining!  

During the rainy times, we went for drives along the coast, grabbed a bite to eat in the local cafe and browsed the thrift stores.  When the sun was shining, we went to Inverness Beach.  While I swam to my hearts content in the warm, clear water, my friend hunted for beach glass.  I also walked the entire length of the boardwalk from the main road all the way to end below the golf course. When we left Inverness, we stopped at Chimney Corner along the way and went for a swim and a walk along the beach there, too.  

One evening was nice enough to have a fire on nearby Belle Cote beach.  I'd never been to this beach before so it was one more place on Cape Breton that I got to discover. And to make that night even more magical, there was a beautiful full moon!

One of the best things about that weekend every year is sleeping in a place that is so quiet and dark at night.  The old country house we stayed in must be over 100 years old and it felt like a step back in time to when things were simpler.  The worse part about that weekend every year? Going home!

 

Fireworks, Beach Days, Kayaking and a Day Trip

It was a weird summer.  The weather had a lot to do with it.  Rain was forecast more often than not so it was hard to plan camping outings out of town like I usually do.  That being said, I made the most of it closer to home.  

I have a beautiful, sandy beach only a ten-minute drive away from my house so I spent a lot of time there walking, beachcombing and swimming in water that seems to be much warmer than usual.  

 I don't usually go out of my way for fireworks but when I saw that the fireworks for Glace Bay's Harbourfest would be held in a location visible from Big Glace Bay Beach, I thought that would be a nice outing with a friend I don't get to see as often I'd like.  I didn't know what kind of view we'd have all the way out there but turns out, we had the best seat in the house.  We found a nice spot in the sand and enjoyed the display over the water.  We also had the added bonus of seeing all the boats that were a part of the Parade of Sail that happened right before the fireworks parked just offshore.  

The last few summers, I enjoyed going to Mira Provincial Park to do some paddleboarding through CBRM recreation but this year all the spots were booked up.  Luckily, I was able to do some kayaking with a friend who had an extra kayak.  Not the same thing but just as fun! 

I did manage to get one day trip in to Inverness in early summer.  It was a perfect day, too!  The wind, temperature and surf were just right to enjoy a swim at one of my favourite places in the whole world.  The only thing missing was an Inverness sunset.  I usually stay until the sun goes down but not that day.  

 

Summer is in Full Swing

For a while there, it looked like we wouldn't get summer at all here in Cape Breton.  June was cold and wet and July started out the same way.  The weather had me fearful that my yearly vacation would be rained out but, as I write this, I am in the middle of my vacation and so far I've been at the beach every day...except today because it's raining. Tomorrow looks like rain too but Friday and Saturday look like great days to plan a camping trip or at least a day trip to the Highlands or west coast of the island. 

Summer is really just started and so far, I visited the Fortress of Louisbourg, swam in the ocean a number of times, walked the beach almost every evening, rode my bike to the lighthouse almost every morning when I'm not working, watched several fireworks displays and attended a car show with my little nephew.  There's still a week left in July and August and September are yet to come!  Baddeck Festiville, camping in Ingonish, Inverness Beach days and two long weekends in Margaree are planned and who knows what other adventures I'll find myself on.  All I know if I plan to enjoy every minute! 

A Chilly Late Spring Day Along the Coast of Framboise

They keep saying we are in for a hot summer here in Eastern Canada but we haven't seen much of that in Cape Breton yet! It's early June and I'm still wearing a winter jacket and mittens with rechargeable heaters in them. I even wore a toque on my walk the other day! But being cooped up in the house and at work all winter means I am itching to get outdoors and do some hiking so that's exactly what I did this past Friday. 

The forecast called for warm temperatures and sun but that's not exactly how the day went. Sure, it was quite warm when Dad and I left New Waterford and headed for Framboise but by the time I arrived and got out of the car, I had to trade my T-shirt for a heavy sweater, jacket and gloves. It was sunny, but that north wind off the water was relentless. 

The main goal of the trip was for Dad to do some fishing and for me to meet up with an old friend for a hike along the shore. We started the morning fishing the brooks along the stretch of highway between Forchu and Grand River. It was warmer up there away from the ocean but the black flies were quite hungry. Only one fish was caught and released. The last spot we tried, no fish were caught but we spotted something interesting in the water below. There were hundreds of Gaspereau swimming up river! I'd never seen this before and, I must say, it was worth getting eaten alive by flies to watch this amazing natural phenomenon. A few hours later when I returned to show my friend what we had seen earlier, they were all gone.  I guess it was just pure luck that they happened to be going upstream at that very moment in time. 

After we finished fishing, we drove down the long dirt road to Ferguson Beach to do some hiking along the ocean.  The beach was full of seaweed and it was high tide so we walked for quite a distance along the old, grassy trail above the beach.  When we reached the river, we had to turn back because the water was too high to cross.  In warmer weather, I would have just taken off my shoes and waded across but it was way too cold that day.  

When we reached the car, it was still too early to call it day and the sun was coming up and warming the air a bit.  So we just kept walking down the beach in the other direction until we reached another river crossing that was too high to cross.  

By this time, the wind had shifted and it was so warm, we took off our sweaters and jackets and lay down in the soft sand for a rest.  It didn't take long for the wind to shift back to the north and we were reaching for our sweaters and jackets again.  

We took a different route back to the car through a grassy meadow and onto an old wood road.  There were signs that wildlife had passed through, but all we saw were the footprints of coyotes and deer who had passed through not long before us.  

At the car, we sat and watched the ocean with some hot tea and muffins and headed back to the main road.  Of course, no day in Framboise is complete without a scenic drive to the little village of St. Peter's for some coffee, something to eat at Jigg's Takeout and a relaxing drive along the Bras d'Or Lakes. 

Sunburnt and tired, I must say, despite the flies and cold wind, it was a good day.  The more I think about it, world travel is not as much of a priority for me at the moment.  I'm sure I'll want to go back to exploring far-away places in the future but, for now, my little island has everything I need.  

 

 

Return to the Hill

For the past decade or so, it seems winter on Cape Breton Island is hit or miss.  Sometimes it snows, other times it snows a lot and sometimes it doesn't snow at all.  The winter before last, we had a massive week-long snowstorm and I was able to do plenty of snowshoeing.  Last winter, I didn't use them once.  This winter, I had the chance to use them a few times as we had a pretty good winter as far as snow goes...and I got to snowshoe in some places I've never used my snowshoes before.  

This time I ventured to a familiar place that I haven't been to in a long, long time.  Back in the day when my bones were stronger and I didn't have a care in the world, I zoomed down the slopes of Ski Ben Eoin on skis.  This time, I explored some of their backcountry snowshoe trails on snowshoes and I got to do it at night under a full moon! 

Driving into the parking lot at my old stomping grounds was like stepping back in the past.  It seemed to be very close to how I remember it way back when and I love places like that.  Places I can be away from for many years and they're still the same when I return years later. 

I headed up the chairlift to the top of the mountain where I headed off into the forest.  The trail was clear and well-maintained but there was enough snow for the snowshoeing to be enjoyable.  Sometimes, groomed trails are just too groomed to really enjoy them and it's more like walking than snowshoeing.  I was surprised by how many trails there were and how far back I was able to venture away from civilization.  There were no lights except for the light of that giant moon shining down.  There's something about the forest on a crisp winter's night especially under a full moon. I spent over an hour wandering the trails and returned to the main chalet via the ski hill itself.  Why take the chairlift down when you can snowshoe down the hill while admiring that amazing view over the Bras d'Or Lakes!  

The only changes I really noticed around the hill were that the names of some of the ski trails have changed and the T-bar lift is gone as far I can tell.  It was nice to be back there reminiscing about the days and nights I spent going up and down the mountain without a care in the world.  I think it was that period in my life that made me a winter-loving person even though I don't downhill ski anymore.  I'd like to try it though.  I keep saying "next year".  Maybe next year will be the year... 

 

A Winter Getaway in the Cape Breton Highlands and Beyond

Since mid-December, I've been working overtime - 14-hour days - and desperately needed a break when the text came through.  It was my sister and she proposed something I couldn't say no to.

A few days before receiving the text, my other sister arrived from Alberta for a visit and to celebrate our father's 80th birthday and to celebrate her and her twin sister's birthday the following week.  I had planned to take them out to dinner that weekend but they had other plans: A last-minute getaway to the Cape Breton Highlands to do some skiing, snowshoeing, skating and relaxing in a country cabin away from the craziness of home.  Of course, I said yes.  I didn't even have to think about it.  This was the break I had been dreaming about for months. 

The cabin was an Airbnb in Dingwall, about 30 minutes from Ingonish and the ski hill.  We arrived late in the evening after picking up a pizza and settled in right away.  The place was all wood, cozy and perfect for a winter weekend away from home.  My little nephew loved it from the start, too.  That first evening was spent playing hide and go seek and after he went to bed, it was drinks and chats for the adults. 

The first light of morning was the true reveal.  A huge deck overlooking the water with the rolling mountains of the Cape North area in the background.  It was so beautiful it almost looked like a painting!  

We got ready and left before 9, stopped for breakfast at the only cafe we could find open and reached Ski Cape Smokey before 10.  After getting our passes, we headed up the gondola to the top of the mountain where everyone else did some downhill skiing and I ventured off into the forest on snowshoes.  

The trail I embarked on was 4 kilometers and I honestly didn't think I would complete the entire thing. There was a lake at the end and I really wanted to make it that far.  Two other people came off the trail as I was arriving and I saw no one else after that.  I had the entire forest to myself and it was magical.  The temperature was warm, the skies were clear, the sun was bright and there was lots of fresh snow and scenic vistas all around.  

It was hard going for the first little while and some of it was uphill.  Every time I thought I was too tired and should turn around but I kept going.  Finally, I did make it to that lake.  I relaxed and took in the views for a while and headed back down the trail towards the gondola.  

I was hoping to see some wildlife but all I saw were some bunny tracks.  But I was fine with that as long as I got to enjoy some time in the forest surrounded by nature and peace and quiet. 

Back at the lodge, we grabbed some snacks and headed back to our cabin where we made some supper and just hung out together in our cozy little hideaway.   

I hated to leave the next morning.  We drove to Ingonish and planned to stop at the outdoor skating rink before driving home.  Unfortunately, it was closed but by that time, it was starting to snow and we wanted to get ahead of the storm that was headed our way.  

The snow got heavier and heavier and by the time we got to Sydney, the roads were covered and we had passed a few fender benders on the highway.  We stopped to grab a pizza before that magical weekend came to an end and I have to say, I felt quite relaxed heading into work Monday for another marathon 14-hour day.  I think this is something I should do more often! 

 

To Travel or Not to Travel

Well, the day I thought would never come has arrived. I never thought I would say this, but I think I am sick of traveling.  For now, at least.  

I still love everything about travel.  I love hanging out in airports, arriving in a new destination, learning about new cultures, hanging out with locals, exploring off-the-beaten places and just being somewhere I've never been before. But lately, travel just seems like a huge hassle.

When I last left the country before Covid-19, international travel was a breeze compared to what it is now.  I got to my destination with very few delays and hitches and had the time of my life.  

In comparison, the last time I traveled far from home was last year and the getting there and getting home part of the trip was disastrous and the trip itself was spent with the flu due to a woman sitting across from me on my flight who thought it was a good idea to board a plane with the plague, refuse to wear a mask and make half the plane sick.  

I planned to travel this past fall.  I didn't end up going.  I procrastinated because of everything going on.  Airlines threatening strikes, high prices for everything, illness outbreaks, flight cancellations...then I got Covid.  Good call.  I would have spent a week in Iceland hoping to see the Northern Lights but shivering under the covers in a hostel dorm instead. 

I still have it in the back of my mind to go somewhere this spring but....more strike threats, more airline drama and prices rising even more.  AND I get sick every time I travel now.  Nothing worse than being in a foreign country alone and sick. Spend all that money to go on vacation only to spend it in bed and miserable. 

There are still several places I'd love to see in the United States (San Francisco, Hawaii, Nashville) but with everything going on down there with political unrest, border nightmares and violence, I think I'll wait that out for a few more years at least.  

Elsewhere in the world, it's the threat of illness, flight cancellations and all the regular travel hiccups I'm used to but times 10.  I just can't be bothered. Travel seems like more of a hassle now and a hassle that just doesn't seem worth the trouble.  The reality of booking a vacation and only being able to enjoy a fraction of it due to cancellations, delays and strikes and who knows what else these days, seems like too much of an emotional and financial gamble right now.  

Don't get me wrong.  I still want to see many places yet. Just not right now. Well, I'm still debating whether to go somewhere in the next year.  Japan or Iceland are the two destinations I'm eyeing.  But really, I just love it here so much in Cape Breton that I'm starting to feel like I don't really need to travel much anymore.  I have everything I could need and want here.  The beaches on this island are more beautiful than any I've seen anywhere else I've been.  The Cabot Trail makes most of the places I've traveled seem mediocre. The culture and history is more colorful than any others I've explored and summers here are incredible.  I will never leave Cape Breton Island in summer ever again.  If I do travel again in the future, it will be in any other season but summer!

So what will the future bring? It's hard to say.  As I write this, I'm perfectly content sticking around Cape Breton.  But that trip to Iceland is already almost planned out so it feels like I might as well go at some point.  And Japan is calling my name.  And New Zealand has been a dream since childhood.  I'm healthy and in no hurry to depart this world yet, so there's still plenty of time to make those dreams come true.  I also change my mind a lot so really, who knows! 

 

 

 

A Late Summer Trip to the Mainland

I know I should explore the rest of Nova Scotia more.  I love Cape Breton so much that I rarely leave it to see the rest of the province.  This past summer, I got the chance to go to the South Shore for a weekend getaway.  I wouldn't normally plan a getaway like this this time of year because summers are so amazing in Cape Breton, but someone gave me a gift certificate for a bed and breakfast in Mahone Bay.  Since it would otherwise go to waste, I called up the property and made a reservation for a weekend in mid-September.  Then I called up a good road-tripping friend and off we went on a journey to the other end of the province. 

The drive from Cape Breton to Mahone typically takes about six hours but it took us much longer.  When you take into account that we got lost, took a few wrong turnoffs, stopped for food and bathroom breaks and made a detour to visit Peggy's Cove, it took closer to nine or ten hours. 

By the time we got to Peggy's Cove, it was late afternoon.  I was expecting it to be deserted due to it being so late in the day and late in the season.  But that wasn't the case at all.  There were people everywhere.  They were in the shops, lined up to eat, wandering around the lighthouse itself, walking down every street in the little village.  I could barely get through the crowds at times and I was only able to get one decent picture of the lighthouse and it still had strangers in it.  

Peggy's Cove was not how I remembered it.  I was very young the last time I was there and all I remembered was a few shops and the lighthouse.  Maybe it was a huge tourist trap back then too, but I just never noticed as a child.  The shops are nice and there are good options for food and drink and some interesting things to look at, including the lighthouse, of course.  But, in all honesty, I can go down to Low Point Lighthouse five minutes away from my house in New Waterford and see one that is just as beautiful, if not more so. 

We headed straight for the lighthouse first and then headed back to the village where we grabbed something to eat, browsed the shops and admired the scenery. When we were done in the village, we drove to a spot a few minutes away where there was a monument set up for the people who were lost in the Swissair disaster that happened in the waters just off Peggy's Cove in 1998. 

From Peggy's Cove, it was smooth sailing all the way to Mahone Bay except for one construction zone where we were stopped for a while. 

We arrived at River Ridge Lodge around 7:00 PM and the owner Frauke came right outside to greet us and get us settled in.  We retreated to our room, unpacked and organized a little before heading out to find somewhere still open to grab something to eat. Unfortunately, that didn't happen as planned.  Everything was closed, so we grabbed some food from the grocery store and just had snacks back at our room. After the long drive and running around looking for food, we were ready to hit the sack fairly early that night.   

The next morning, we got on the road early with somewhat of a plan for the day.  Our first stop was Oak Island and the setting for the popular television reality show centered around finding the treasure that is said to be buried there. 

We crossed the causeway and pulled up to the gate where a woman was waiting.  As it turned out, we wouldn't be seeing much because the cast and crew were inside the area filming and the interpretation centre was closed.  We parked in the parking lot and just took some pictures of the memorial and kept going towards downtown Mahone Bay. 

It was a pretty morning to take a short stroll around this pretty little town.  After speaking with some nice ladies with Tourism Nova Scotia and getting some directions on how to get on the scenic route everyone was telling us about, I grabbed a coffee for the road and off we went toward Lunenburg.  Of course, we got lost but eventually found our way.  I have the worst sense of direction, even when a GPS is guiding me along!

The drive to Lunenburg was a nice, relaxing one.  We arrived in the colorful little town to discover that some festivities were going on and The Bluenose was in town and open for free tours. We parked quite far away from the waterfront because there were very few parking spots left anywhere.  The walk to the waterfront was all downhill and the fact that that meant the walk back would be all uphill wasn't lost on me. 

There was music, food and face paintings and a number of antique cars were lined up for everyone to see.  After a tour of The Bluenose, some hotdogs and a rest overlooking the water, we walked up and down the streets for a bit checking out some of the shops and then headed back to the car to continue our journey.   

We were told that we would have to board a car ferry at some point to cross to LaHave.  We arrived when the ferry was on the other side loading cars so we had a little wait.  According to several people we have spoken to since our arrival on the South Shore, we needed to stop at the LaHave Bakery which is only about a minute from the ferry dock on the other side. 

We pulled into the parking lot and were both surprised at the size of the place and the fact that it appeared to be more than just a simple bakery. The first thing that hit me was the smell of freshly baked goods and the second thing that hit me was the old-school look and feel of the place.  It was like I stepped back in time. There were artifacts, ornaments and pictures all over the walls and any space that could hold something.  There being so much to look at made it seem more like a museum than a bakery!

I took my place in line to get some goodies and settled on a slice of vegetarian Mediterranean-style pizza and a Nanaimo Bar.  Both were delicious and the price was right for something made on-site from scratch. 

We took our food outside and ate on the deck overlooking a view of the harbour. When we were done, we went back inside and looked around the gift shop and bookstore.  I was on the hunt for something suitable for my 3-year-old nephew for his upcoming birthday but everything was too breakable for his rambunctious age.  

I'd heard about Crescent Beach and its sandy shore and crystal clear water and always wanted to go there and see it for myself.  As we pulled into the parking area and I gazed at the expansive stretch of coastline before me, I was impressed with the width and length of the beach and the fact that the water felt quite warm even for that late in the season.  I was not, however, impressed with the fact that cars are allowed to drive on the beach.  I like my beaches quiet, natural and car-free. 

We didn't stay long.  I contemplated going for a swim but the air was a bit too cool and I didn't want to catch a chill.  We next stopped at a beach called Resser's Beach Provincial Park and this one was more like my kind of beach.  Wild, remote, natural and surrounded by nice scenery.  

We walked the beach from one end to the other and moved onto the beautiful boardwalk and walked the entire length of it as well.  There was a food truck set up by the common area where the bathrooms and other facilities were and I thought what a great idea that would be if someone could do that at my favorite beach back home.   

By the time we left Resser's Beach, it was getting close to supper time.  I didn't want to be driving around the area at dark because I'd already almost hit a deer on the way into town the night before.  Also, since we didn't get to have a very good supper the night before, we wanted to get back to Mahone Bay to find a nice restaurant to sit down and have a hot meal before everything started to close.  It was Sunday after all and I didn't know what time anything closed on Sunday evenings. 

We drove straight to where we were staying and got changed and headed to town.  It was quite late and by the looks of it, many things had already closed.  We drove around downtown looking for an interesting place to eat and once we decided on a place that had been previously recommended to us, we parked the car and started walking in the direction where we had been told the restaurant was.  

We were told Betty's at the Kitch was open late and it was only a few minutes on foot from where we were parked.  The part about being open late was true but it took more than a few minutes to walk there!  More like 15 minutes and being as hungry as we were by that point, we were not too happy having to walk so far.  We just kept walking and walking and at one point, I thought we had gone the wrong way because we still get to it.  Finally, I saw people standing outside a building and then I saw the sign.  

We were given a seat for two by a window where we could look out onto the night street.  The place was cozy, warm, quiet and inviting.  Everything one could want in a late-night meal.  The service was amazing and the food was perfect!  Delicious, well-portioned and served at just the right temperature.  We took our time eating and savouring our first meal of the trip.  The walk back didn't seem to take as long.  It never does when you're going back. 

After such a long day of exploring, I fell asleep not long after getting back to our room.  The next morning, I awoke early, packed, had a quick breakfast and took a walk around the grounds and across the street where there was a little boat house on the river.  

Before check-out, we took one last drive into town to get coffee and visit a bakery that had been recommended to us.  I had some quiche and a cinnamon roll before taking a drive to the other side of the harbour to get some pictures of the Three Churches.  Before long, we were checked out and back on the highway for the long drive home.   

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Some Fall Hiking in Sterling and Framboise

I never know where I'll end up when I go to Framboise with Dad.  There's always a new place to hike, a new beach or lake to see or a road I've never been down before.  

Last week, the weather called for a nice day on one of my days off and with winter approaching, I wanted to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.  That's why I said "yes" when Dad asked me to join him for a day of hiking in Framboise.

I love these little day trips with Dad.  We leave early, grab some breakfast and coffees somewhere along the way and make the long drive to this remote part of the island where it's just coastline and forest as far as you can see.

It was a little windy and cool that day so Dad suggested we do a hike in the Sterling which is away from the coast.  I haven't done a whole lot of hiking in that area and a walk in the woods with the leaves changing color sounded good to me!

We parked the car a little ways up a dirt road and started walking from there.  It was a nice, easy walk through some thick forest and at one point, we crossed a stream lined with colorful trees.  There wasn't a whole lot of water as we are going through a drought but it still made for a nice picture.   I stopped for a few minutes and took in the picturesque scene before me.  

About twenty minutes into the hike, we reached an old, abandoned farmhouse.  I love coming upon these sites and exploring the grounds while I imagine what it must have been like so many years ago when a young family thrived here.  It's sad to think that they are all gone and this is the legacy they left behind.  Somewhere, there are descendants of those people still living who likely don't even know that their distant relative's old homestead still stands.

The trail kept going a little ways beyond the homestead and when the brush became too thick to keep going, we turned around and headed back to the car.  

It was still early enough to do another hike so we went down the road to one that we had attempted a few years ago.  The last time we did this hike, the bridge was washed out.  This time, it was rebuilt and intact so we were able to cross and keep going much further than we did before.  In fact, we went so far that it was almost dark when we decided that we should turn around before we got caught hiking at night without flashlights.  

We were going to head home the way we came but I convinced Dad to go to St. Peter's and take the long way home via Route 4 along the Bras d'Or Lakes.  We grabbed some coffee for the road and made the long drive home.