An Amazing Day at Point Michaud Beach

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!

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.  

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.  

"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.  

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!  

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. 

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!

Beauty is Everywhere you Look on Cape Breton Island

It's all around.  Everywhere you look, there is beauty.  Mountains, unique rock formations, valleys, meadows, coves....even washed up ocean debris make for excellent photo ops!

Cabot Landing Provincial Park - A Little Off the Beaten Path but Worth a Visit

You only have to venture about 20 minutes off the Cabot Trail to enjoy a remote, long, sandy beach. Every time I make the detour to this beach at the Cabot's Landing Provincial Park, I'm usually the only person there so if you're looking to get away from the crowds, this is a great place to do that!  Add in facilities, such as bathrooms and picnic areas, and spectacular scenery and you have a little slice of paradise.  The park is located in Sugarloaf along beautiful Aspy Bay. 

Cabot's Landing Provincial Park, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

The Point in Ingonish - One of the Best Views on Cape Breton Island

It's one of my favourite places to go in the evening when I'm not ready to head back to my campsite at Broad Cove near Ingonish.  The Point has one of the best views on the island - mountains surrounding the beautiful bay and just before dark, the mountains become silhouettes against the reds and purples leftover of a sun long gone down into the horizon. 

The breakwater at The Point near Ingonish.  I love this spot right before darkness falls.  I make a point to stop here on my way back to my campsite so I can watch the colorful sky turn black with millions of stars.  It truly is a magical place.  Sometimes I go to the end of the breakwater and sit on the rocks.  Sometimes I lie down in the sand on the little beach.

Ingonish is paradise!  I love this place!

The Lone Shieling - One of my Favourite Stops on the Cabot Trail

I've hiked most of the trails in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and I love them all but there is one trail that I never miss whenever I drive through the park and that is The Lone Shieling.
This trail is not very long but it's beautiful with tall trees, a stream and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.  Unless you arrive at the same time as a tour bus, this trail is quiet and rarely crowded.  I love to sit by the stream under those tall trees and listen to the water and nature sounds all around.  Next week, as part of my Cape Breton Staycation, I will be heading around the Cabot Trail and through the national park and this will, no doubt, be one of my main stops.  If you ever make it to the island, this trail is not hard to find; it's right on the main road, it's well-marked and you won't miss the replica of a Scottish crofter's hut right on the side of the road!

Replica of a Scottish crofter's hut.

The trail is well-maintained.

These tall trees make the area look like an enchanted forest.

Beautiful Scenery is Everywhere in Cape Breton

There's beautiful scenery everywhere you look in Cape Breton!  And there are plenty of look-offs with stunning views of this scenery. 

Many people think of the Cabot Trail when they think of Cape Breton scenery, but as you can see, scenery can be found in other areas of the island such as Irish Cove.  This was taken from the look-off along the Route 4 highway.  Rolling hills that meet the Bras d'Or Lakes....a vastly different type of scenery from the rugged coastline that meets the Atlantic Ocean that you see when traveling around the Cabot Trail. 

Eglise St. Pierre - The Big, Beautiful Church in Cheticamp

I may not be much a church-goer these days, but this beautiful church in the little Acadian village of Cheticamp has special meaning to me.  My mother grew up in Cheticamp and she and her mother and father attended this church.  As a child, my family always made a point to stop at Eglise St. Pierre whenever we passed through Cheticamp on our way around the Cabot Trail.  I remember that if you left a donation, you could light a candle and make a wish.  My sisters and I all wished for the same thing during one visit; each of us wished to have a new kitten.  Soon after that visit, my grandmothers cat had 3 kittens and guess who ended up with the 3 kittens?  My two sisters and I.  One kitten each.  Sometimes wishes do come true!  I'm sure I will make at least one trip around the Cabor Trail this summer and, no doubt, I will stop at the big church in Cheticamp like I have every year since I can remember.  If you ever make it to the island, make sure to stop too.  It's open to the public and well worth a look. 

Beautiful Eglise St. Pierre Church in Cheticamp can be seen for miles all around and is well-worth a visit if you ever find yourself in this pretty little Acadian Village along the Cabot Trail.

Beautiful Lake O'Law on Cape Breton Island

There are so many beautiful places in Cape Breton, it's hard to list them all!  Lake O'Law is one of my favourites and it's one I make a point to stop at every time I make my way through Middle River and Margaree on my way to the western part of the island.  Sometimes I even spend the night at The Lakes Campground.  There is a stillness along the shores of this lake that is like none other I've ever experienced.  It's quiet, eerily so.  At night, you can see the silhouette of those hills against the sparkling, calm waters of the lake.  I wish I was there right now!  If you ever make your way to the island, you'll pass through this beautiful area on your way around the world-famous Cabot Trail.

There are many lakes in Cape Breton but this one is likely one of the most beautiful lakes on the island and it's easily accessible right along the Cabot Trail.  The provincial park is a great place to stop and stretch your legs while enjoying some of the spectacular scenery.