Explore the Cape Breton Regional Municipality

When most people think of Cape Breton, they think of the Cabot Trail and the northern portion of the island. However, the island isn't all that big and the other areas are worth exploring too!  The Cape Breton Regional Municipality, for example, is home to the towns of Glace Bay, New Waterford, North Sydney and the unofficial capital of Cape Breton, Sydney.  This area is also home to many beaches, museums, scenic views and attractions.  Dominion Beach, The Marconi Museum, The Sydney Mines Heritage Museum and Fossil Centre, The Glace Bay Miner's Museum, Cossit House, Fort Petrie Military Museum and Jost House are just some of the attractions you'll find in this area of the island.

Colliery Lands Park in New Waterford is a great place to take a rest, have a picnic and relax in natural surroundings.  Several exhibits about the history of mining in the town are located around the park.  In fact, the park is situated near the site of a former working coal mine.

This monument in Colliery Lands Park features the names of all the coal miners who were killed in area coal mines.  The flags represent the countries that many of the miners came from in search of work. 

Another Cape Breton Sunset

I know I post a lot about Cape Breton Sunsets...but what can I say? Cape Breton sunsets are one my favourite things in the whole wide world.  I love to drive all over Cape Breton and end any day on the road with a sunset from a beach or look-off.  However, there are a a few places not far from my house that have spectacular sunsets, such as this spot, below, in River Ryan. I only have to drive about five minutes to enjoy beautiful sunsets like this!

Another one of those beautiful Cape Breton sunsets.  This was taken at River Ryan, not too far from my house.

Tried Out One of those Bike Trails Finally!

So remember those bike trails I mentioned a few posts back? The ones that I heard were in this area but have never seen? Well I found one of them the other day and tried it out. I left home and took the same route I always do but decided to go a bit further than usual since time was allowing me to do so and I wanted to go somewhere different. When I reached the point where I usually turn around, I decided to go to the end of the street to see where it went and noticed a trail that went alongside the cliffs next to the ocean. I had no idea where the trail would lead me but decided to check it out. The trail was long and just as I was about to turn around and head back home, I noticed that I could see the lighthouse not far away in the distance. I decided to keep going until I reached it but the trail ended on the beach below the lighthouse. I had to walk the bike across the rocky beach and carry it over some giant boulders and boggy areas but finally made it to another trail on the other side that led directly to the lighthouse! I stuck around for a while and took some pictures and watched several boats maneuver in and out of Sydney Harbor. It was getting late when I finally headed for home so I took the road back out of fear of possibly meeting coyotes on the trails but I will be out again soon looking for more new places to go riding very soon! http://marinas.com/view/lighthouse/1480_Low_Point_Lighthouse_New_Victoria_NS