Quite a few years ago, not long after I moved back home, I discovered a festival that takes place every August in the little village of Baddeck. I love Baddeck and I love cultural events where I can try local food, buy local products, see local art and hear local music.
The first time I attended, I had such a wonderful evening that I decided to make attending the festival a yearly tradition. It usually falls on a Monday so I always drive straight to Baddeck right after work and get there just in time to enjoy the best of it. Of course, it runs late and the drive home is long so I usually request the day off the next day. My friend has her camper trailer parked at a nearby campground so we meet in Baddeck to attend the festivities and then I follow her back to the campground, where I stay the night.
This year, Festiville was quite lively with several great bands playing and many vendors selling everything from homemade jewelry to homemade fudge. We walked up and down the street several times, listening to the music and checking out the many vendors while eating ice cream and fudge.
When it was all over, we weren't quite ready to leave so we just hung out on the docks admiring a huge yacht parked amongst the many smaller boats with the sparkling waters of the Bras d'Or Lakes lit by a full moon and sky full of twinkling stars. It was so calm and peaceful that I could have just slept right there with the sound of the water and trees rustling in a light, warm breeze.
Back in the parking lot of the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, we walked to the deck attached to the museum and admired the moon shining over the lakes. It was quite the sight. I could live in a place like that. Maybe someday.
The drive back to the trailer took about 30 to 40 minutes. There was hardly any traffic by that point as everyone had already left town and headed back to wherever it was they were spending the night. It was equally as beautiful in Jersey Cove where the moon shone its beams down on the beach near the trailer. I took a little stroll down there just sat and listened to the water rolling over the beach.
The next day, we drove to Ingonish hoping to enjoy a swim at Black Brook Beach. The water was rough but I made an attempt anyway. I didn't stay in long. I prefer to swim in calm, clear water. Being tossed around in the surf isn't all that enjoyable! We left and drove to The Point in Ingonish and went for a much calmer dip in the water at the little sandy beach by the wharves. The water was so clear and calm there that I even got to try out my new waterproof action camera!
After dinner at the Seagull Restaurant, we headed back to the trailer where we parted ways and I headed home. These are the moments that make summers in Cape Breton so memorable and why I have no desire to be anywhere else but here during those long summer days and nights.
