An afternoon of Fly-fishing in Kananaskis Country

For several years now, I've listened to my sister talk about her and her partner's fly-fishing adventures in the Kananaskis back-country and have admired her photos from afar on social media.  When she came home for a visit last year, I got a chance to go fishing with her but one of the things I knew I wanted to do during my visit to Alberta was to go fly-fishing in one of her favorite spots in the mountains. 

On my third day in Kananaskis Country, I got to do that.  We got up early, packed up some gear and headed to a nearby trail where one of her favorite fishing spots was located.  I, unfortunately, ended up with a bad cold and was sick as a dog that day but after popping some Advil Cold and Flu, I felt ready to hike the relatively short distance to this fishing hole. 

We hiked for about 40 minutes through thick forest with stunning views of the river and surrounding mountains.  It was a relaxing hike except for when the thought of grizzly bears crossed my mind.  At home, I don't have to worry about anything eating me while I'm hiking but in Alberta, you have cougars, wolves, black bears and grizzly bears to worry about.  I had seen a number of bears in the area the previous day so, naturally, I was checking behind me more frequently than normal. 

When we reached our destination, I stood in awe at the view and knew immediately why my sister had chosen this spot as one of her favorites.  I could sit there all day just taking in that fresh mountain air.  There were no other people around, the only sound was the sound of the leaves rustling in the trees and the river flowing.  My kind of place. 

I tried a little bit of fishing but was mostly content to just sit on a nearby rock and watch my sister do her thing.  We didn't get any bites that day but neither of us cared.  We just wanted to get away in the wilderness and enjoy the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings. 

A Delightful Summer-like Fall Day in Southeast Cape Breton

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.  

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. 

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.

An Early Spring Hike Along Belfry Beach and an Adventure to a new-to-me Lake

It was a disappointing winter for me.  In November, I placed my snowshoes in the back of my car and they didn't move once.  Believe it or not, although I live in Atlantic Canada in a region known for usually getting a lot of snow, hardly anything more than a thin layer fell at any given time.  When a substantial amount did fall, it was easily whisked away by a steady stream of cold rain that quickly turned ground into a skating rink.Now that it's spring, I'm betting that my snowshoes will be of no use this year at all and my hiking shoes are already out.

I'm definitely not getting outdoors as much as I usually do in the winter and spring months but late last week, I did finally get out for a hike in one of my favorite areas of Cape Breton. I left fairly early on a Friday morning and headed toward Belfry Beach.  It was a nice day but it was quite windy so my intention was to check the beach out and see what it would be like for hiking.  It looked fine so I left the car At the bottom of MacKay Road and started the long hike along Belfry Beach to Fourchu.

The first leg of the journey went quite well.  The sun was shining, the temperature was comfortable and the waves rolling ashore lulled me into a state of relaxation that can only be found on a remote, deserted beach.  I walked for about 45 minutes before reaching a nice sheltered area surrounded by trees and bushes beneath a cliff.  Not a breath of wind could be felt there so I sat in the sand and enjoyed my homemade lunch and a beer.  I could hear the wind howling on the other side of the cliff and dreaded rounding that bend to continue up the beach with that breeze whipping me in the face.

Once I bundled up again and rounded that bend, that howling wind only battered me for a few minutes before I got used to it.  The long walk to Forchu wasn't so bad and all the walking overheated me to the point that I had to remove my jacket!  I saw no wildlife that day on the beach and that is strange in that area.  Usually I see some bald eagles or seals or sometimes even a deer but nothing was seen that day.

My next stop was at a new-to-me trail to a lake I had never been to before.  I drove for about twenty minutes towards the Framboise area until I reached an old wood road on the right hand side.  I parked the car off the road and started into the woods.  It was a nice change to be among the trees.  There was hardly any wind and it was much warmer than it was near the ocean.  I love a variety of terrain in my days and that day I spend one half of it listening to the sounds of waves hitting the shore and the other half listening to trees rustling in a soft gentle breeze.

I was told by others who had recently hiked to this lake that it was only about a kilometre hike in.  I walked and walked and walked for what seemed like a long time.  A glance at the activity tracker on my phone indicated I had long passed the one kilometre mark.  I hiked just over two kilometres before the lake came into view.

I was surprised by how large the lake was and even more surprised at the fact that I didn't even know it existed until recently.  It was still covered in a tick layer of ice.  I walked along the edge just a little, consciously not venturing too far for fear of falling through the ice into the freezing cold water. I could see some weak spots in the centre, an indication that the day's mild temperatures and sunny skies had quickened the thawing process.

Darkness was approaching quickly and when I finally decided to start hiking back toward my car, the sun was starting it's slow descent into the horizon.  At one point I thought I heard something in the distance.  A howl or some sort of yell.  I stopped.  Nothing.  I heard it again and stopped.  Nothing.  The third time I stopped and listened, there was a distinct sound coming from the area of the lake where I had just been; coyotes.  I'm not afraid of coyotes while hiking as I've never had any issues with them but I still have a preference to keep my distance.  I picked up the pace a bit and in no time I was back at the car.  It always seems quicker going back for some reason, doesn't it?  A total of four more kilometres to add to the day's total of 15 kilometres.

I hate to go straight home after a wonderful day spent in the wilderness.  I like to drag the adventure on as long as possible.  Instead of backtracking home the same way I came, I took the long way back through Grand River and instead of turning right onto Route 4, I turned left and made a little detour the pretty village of St. Peter's where I stopped for a coffee and a muffin before heading home along the Bras d'Or Lakes. 

So Long for Now Beautiful Isle and Onto Whiskey and Lake Monsters

Part 1 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/02/my-journey-to-scotlands-cities.html
Part 2 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/03/next-stop-edinburgh-scotland.html
Part 3 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/03/72-hours-in-city-of-edinburgh.html
Part 4 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/03/a-real-introduction-to-history-and.html
Part 5 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/03/the-haunted-graveyards-and-underground.html
Part 6 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/04/a-tour-of-edinburgh-castle-and-solo.html
Part 7 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/04/farewell-edinburgh-hello-highlands.html
Part 8 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2016/11/making-my-way-to-lovely-isle-of-skye.html

Part 9 - http://anotherdayforgrace.blogspot.ca/2017/05/exploring-towns-brochs-and-castles-of.html

I awoke to the sun shining on that last morning on the Isle of Skye.  Finally, I was able to get a clear glimpse of that fantastic view from atop that hill.  After yet another hearty breakfast, I was once again back on the bus and off the tackle more adventures around the Highlands of Scotland.  On this day, we took a different route off the Island and drove off the Isle of Skye instead of taking a ferry.  Perhaps due to my ancestral connections to the island, I felt sad at leaving it, almost like leaving home.  It was a rather strange feeling like none I ever experienced when leaving any other places I've visited. 

The view from Hillview

As we drove along those scenic country roads, I heard more stories and folklore about the people who shaped the land.  Stories such as the five sisters of Kintail and fairies stalking the glens and knolls of the countryside.  Our first stop of the day was the Glenlivet Whisky Distillery  Now, I'm not a fan of Whiskey.  In fact, I don't even understand how anyone can sip on it and not gag or throw up like I almost do every time I take a sip.  The option was there for anyone who didn't want to take the tour to stay on the bus or go for a walk around the area.  Since whisky seems to be as much a part of Scottish culture as kilts or bagpipes, I opted to take the tour and, despite my dislike for the drink, it was quite interesting. I may not appreciate the taste of whisky but I can certainly appreciate the amount of time and work that goes into making it!  At the end of the tour, I kept an open mind and even tried the sample that was offered to me.  I took a tiny swig and promptly gagged.  At least I gave it another chance.  Whisky just doesn't agree with me.  I don't know how everyone around me looked like they were thoroughly enjoying and even savoring it while I felt like my throat was on fire after a little drop. 

The whiskey sample I was given at the end of the tour.  I could only drink about half of it before I gagged.

Learning how whiskey is made - just some of the sights in and around the brewery

Our next stop was the pretty little town of Beuly where we stopped long enough time to eat lunch and  wander the village.  I decided to walk the entire length of the main street and see what was available for restaurants and cafes.  There were quite a few places but there seemed to be lineups and large crowds at every one of them.  A couple of tour buses from other companies had arrived in the town at the same time so I decided to keep walking for a bit to allow the crowds to disperse.  When I returned to where most of the eateries are, my eyes locked onto the one place that didn't look too crowded, a little cafe called Corner on the Square.  I ordered a veggie quiche and some other delicious-looking item that I had never heard of before and can't remember the name of.  With food in hand, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma; there were no tables or anywhere to sit inside so I had to find a place to sit outside.  I once again wandered around the town looking for a place to enjoy my meal.  All the benches and picnic tables were taken so I sat on a ledge near a bus stop in front of a town-hallish looking building.  Others soon followed and soon the entire ledge was bustling with tourists eating lunch in the midday sun along a busy street in the pretty little town of Beuly.

I've been told that a trip to Scotland is not complete without a visit to one of the most famous lakes in Scotland and possible the whole world, Loch Ness.  I'm pretty sure everyone reading this is probably aware of what makes the lake so famous and had it not been on the itinerary of this tour, I don't think I would have made a special detour to try and spot a monster that may or may not be still alive if it even ever existed.  That being said, my afternoon on the Loch did end up being a highlight of the trip.  We left Beuly and drove a long stretch of highway until we reached Urquhart Castle.  After a walk through the visitor centre, I ventured off on my own to explore the ruins of the great castle with instructions to meet in an hour to board a cruise on the Loch.

Once again, I found myself wandering around an ancient castle and imagining what it was once like and trying to wrap my head around some of the (both brutal and historical) things must have transpired on that very spot over hundreds of years.  The setting of the ruins is breathtaking with what's left of the once stately castle sitting on the banks of Loch Ness.

With the hour almost up, I made my way to the docks by the lake and climbed aboard the Jacobite Warrior and I took a seat on the upper outside deck. The air was a little cook but this was the best place to get the best view of the lake and surrounding countryside.  The winds had picked up a bit but the sun was shining on the Loch, giving it a crystal clear, glass-like finish until we got out to the middle of the lake where it was quite rough.  I scanned the deep waters looking for signs of the famous sea serpent that is said to live in the loch but Nessie remained elusive.  Some sonar equipment is on display so passengers can watch to see if any large objects are lurking beneath the surface.  I saw nothing there either.  Some say Nessie died and that is why she has not been seen in a while.  The gift shops, amusement park, boat tours and Nessie merchandise give me the impression that perhaps she never existed except to attract foreign tourists.  Yes, I am a skeptic until I see it with my own eyes.  

Loch Ness

Sonar equipment used to detect Nessie...or more likely jsut any big mass on the lake.

We arrived in Fort Augustus in the early evening and before checking into our accommodations for the night, we attended a live show at the Clansman Centre.  Inside the dark theatre, a man dressed in period costume and carrying a Claymore sword walked out on stage.  After a brief history on the use of the Claymore, a medieval (and quite effective) weapon used in battles from the 15th to the 17th century, we were shown the proper way to wear a kilt.  I you are thinking the way I did before seeing this demonstration, you probably think that wearing a kilt is simply the same as wearing any skirt.  Well, not quite...and the Scots prefer that no one use the word skirt to describe a kilt.  The kilt is, after all, an item of clothing usually worn by men and was, in the past, commonly worn on the battlefield. I was able to see exactly how the kilt was worn and what went into the actual putting on of the kilt and let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks!

Fort Augustus is another pretty little town with a canal in the centre of the downtown area.  Since it was our last night together as a group (some were headed to the Orkney islands the next day with another guide while the rest of us, me included, were headed back to Glasgow and Edinburgh) we decided to go out to dinner together.  However, that didn't quite work out as planned.  Some members of the group decided to call it a night while the rest of us couldn't decide on one place to eat so we ended up going our separate ways.  The American lady I had been sharing a seat with on the bus suggested pizza for anyone who wanted to join her.  I hadn't tried Scottish pizza yet so I went with her.  We found a place called The Moorings that served pizza and a lot of other delicious-sounding meals.  Since I already had pizza on the brain, I ordered a small vegetarian pizza thinking I would take half of it back to the hotel to have for breakfast the next morning.  Well that didn't happen because it was so good and I was so hungry, I just polished it all off in one sitting.  The large windows in the restaurant allowed for a nice view of the little town and because it wasn't overly crowded with people waiting for tables, we felt comfortable to stay and talk for a while after we ate.

I'm a bit of an introvert so meeting new people is a tad of a chore for me sometimes but occasionally, I meet a person who I instantly like and trust and we become instant friends. I don't often meet someone I can share intimate details of my life with after only a couple of days but I felt very comfortable with this person, like I had known her all my life.  We talked about the recent, sudden loss of our mothers at fairly young ages.  We talked about our careers and hobbies and families and travels.  At one point, she blurted out something that both surprised me.  "I'm proud of you".  Of course, I was initially baffled by this statement.  How can a who was a total stranger 4 days earlier be proud of me?  "I wish I could have done what you are doing at your age...traveling by myself.  I was too scared when I was younger.  Keep doing what you are doing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise".  I was shocked.  That was the first time anyone had ever told me they were proud of me for traveling on my own.  I've gotten lots of comments over the years about my solo travels.  Usually they were along the line of "you know, it's time to get your priorities straight and start thinking about starting a family" or "one of these days, you are going to get raped/kipnapped/killed/beat up/robbed while wandering around these foreign countries".  Hearing those words made me feel more confident in my own feelings towards my lifestyle.  I've never felt that I'm being irresponsible, selfish or careless when it comes to my travels but the people around me have tried to make me feel that way my whole life and at times, I wonder if maybe it is true.  It was a relief to hear someone tell me that I am on the right track in life.  This is why I find it easier making friends on the road despite being more on the introverted side.  I'm more likely to meet more open-minded, adventurous people who are living their lives to the fullest.  People who are doing things, who don't live in the tiny bubbles of their little corner of the world with their house, white picket fence, television and 2.5 kids.  Too bad the people around me can't see that just because I don't live a semi-sheltered and structured life like they do, it doesn't mean there's something wrong with me.  It just means I am following my own path and living my life the way I want to live it. And I'm not hurting anyone by doing so!

We left the restaurant almost two hours after we arrived and set out to find a bank machine to get some cash out.  In our wanderings, we forgot to keep track of where we were and how to get back to the main road and back to our guest house.  We walked around for a long time until we found an area that looked familiar and walked up a road that looked like the road that our guest house was on.  It had been a light drizzle all evening until suddenly, we got caught in a straight and heavy downpour.  We walked and walked in that cold, hard rain for what seemed like forever and realized we were on the wrong road.  We returned to the main road and walked and walked again until we found another road that looked familiar.  Nope.  Wrong road again.  Eventually, we found The Thistle Dubh and walked in the front door drenched from head to toe.  I never laughed so hard in my life.  Who knew getting lost in a rainstorm in a foreign country could be so fun.  I guess any situation can be turned into something positive as long as you are in good company. 

I love getting lost in foreign countries.  Not only does it provide opportunity to see things I would otherwise not see and experience things I would otherwise not experience, it provides me with memorable and entertaining stories to share later.  These memories always being a smile to my face and that night was one of those nights that will surely stay fresh in my mind for a long time to come. 

The Thistle Dubh (a cute little play on words if you know the proper pronunciation of those two gaelic words.  Clue: It ends up sounding very much like "this'll do")

A Hike To Oban Falls in Richmond County

The weather is staying fairly nice here in Cape Breton and that means I am still spending a lot of times outdoors. I’m certainly making up for the lack of hiking over the summer. Just this past weekend, I managed to knock another hiking trail off my hiking bucket list; Oban Falls.

I always knew there were waterfalls somewhere in the St. Peter’s area but I never knew where they were and never bothered to go looking for them. Until recently, much of my hiking was done in the Highlands area of the island and I am only lately becoming more familiar with the Richmond county area. So when a friend suggested we hike to Oban Falls, I jumped at the chance and we agreed on that upcoming Sunday because it was supposed to be sunny and fairly warm.

I made the two-hour drive to St. Peter’s and met up with the rest of the group who would be joining us on the hike. The trailhead to the falls is located about fifteen minutes from the village of St. Peter’s – about five minutes on the main highway and another ten minutes along a side road that eventually switches from pavement to gravel. Almost everyone else in the group had hiked Oban before so they knew what to expect. I was told two things before we arrived; 1) the trail would be wet and muddy due to recent rains and 2) a friendly dog who lives in the home near the trail would be joining us. Apparently she thinks it is her duty to guide hikers along that trail that she knows so well.
Before we even opened our car doors, the eager guide-dog was there to greet us. I liked the idea of having two fairly large dogs with us (one of the other hikers in our group brought along her dog as well) both for company and protection. After only traversing a few feet, I discovered that “wet and muddy” was an understatement. It’s so fun to watch the dogs trudging through the mud and bushes without a care in the world while we tried to avoid getting wet at all costs! The puddles were so large and deep that they completely blocked the trail and we had to either hang onto tree branches as we carefully made out way along the narrow edge or we had to leave the trail altogether and bushwhack our way around the swampy areas. At one point, I lost my grip on a tree branch I was using for support and found myself knee-deep in the water. It’s a good thing I brought along an extra pair of socks because my feet would have been frozen stiff by time we made it back to the car! The whole trail wasn’t like this and we came to a clearing near a foot bridge…which looked like an obstacle in itself. My trailmates insisted the flimsy looking bridge was completely safe and even ATV’s crossed over it with no problems. I still insisted that we cross it one at a time and when my turn came, I carefully but quickly made my way across.

Although the trail was a bit difficult, it wasn’t too long and soon we found ourselves at the top of the falls looking down a cliff. Upon closer inspection, I saw that there was a rope lying close to the ground and it was tried around trees all the way down to the bottom. One by one, others in the group began the descent. I wasn’t expecting any climbing to be involved in this hike and I debated for about thirty seconds whether I should attempt that slippery, muddy, dangerous looking descent. As usual, I erred on the side of danger, excitement and the prospect of trying something new. I grabbed the rope and carefully descended. It wasn’t dangerous at all except for that one tree that was attached to the rope but not quite attached to the ground.
Oban Falls was is quite a sight. The recent heavy rains ensured that plenty of water was gushing over the side and they were much taller than I thought they would be. We lingered for a bit, listening to the beautiful sounds and taking in the serene, natural surroundings. I love the sound of waterfalls…so peaceful and relaxing. Had it been warmer, I could have stayed there all day.

Going up the rope was a little harder than going down. Once we all made it back to the top, we took a little detour to a nearby lake that was in the area. No one seemed to know the name of this lake but agreed that it’s most likely called Oban Lake, which would make sense. We had to leave the main trail and trudge through a swampy area in order to access the lake. It’s a good thing everyone else had a good sense of direction because I would’ve never found my way back to that trail! On the way back, we made another little detour to the top of the falls and hiked along the river for a bit.

The sun was starting to descend in the sky as we reached that old rickety bridge and made our way through that puddle-laden section of trail and back to our vehicles.
During the drive back to St. Peter’s, I learned about some more great hiking trails in the area. Who knew such a little island could have so many trails and new places to be discovered. I’ve been exploring Cape Breton Island my whole life and I am still discovering new places all the time. It was almost dark when I made it back to my car. I changed into my dry shoes and settled in for a long but relaxing drive on Route 4 along the Bras d’Or Lakes. Another day lovely day spent in the woods, another trail crossed off my list!

Kidston Island, Baddeck - An Island within an Island

I've always had a fascination with islands, especially small ones that could be seen offshore but were remote and hard to access without a boat. I'm not sure if this fascination comes from the fact that I grew up on an island or because the things that are most out-of-reach are the ones that fascinate us most. All I know is whenever I spot an island offshore or in the middle of a lake or bay, I immediately want to find a way to get to it. But when it comes to Kidston Island in Baddeck, I don't know why I only made a trip to the island for the first time this past week.

I am very familiar with the town of Baddeck. I've spent many summer days visiting the museums, eating in the great restaurants, sailing on the Bras D'or Lakes and shopping in the unique retail shops lining the main street. One thing I never did was visit Kidston Island and I'm not sure why. It fits my criteria for being an explore-worthy destination - its an island, it has a beach, its deserted except for tourists going back and forth and it's fairly easy to get to. Maybe being too accessible made it seem less exciting and less of a challenge.

A recent article in my local newspaper about Kidston Island grabbed my attention and peaked my interest. The article was about the free shuttle that brings people back and forth to the island via a small pontoon boat. This free shuttle has been offered by the Baddeck Lions Club for the last 61 years and the service recently ran into some trouble. In the end, the service stayed and for now, the Lions Club continues to shuttle passengers back and forth to the island on a daily basis during peak season.

The decision to make the hour-long drive to Baddeck to visit Kidston Island came spur-of-the-moment. It was a beautiful sunny day and the restlessness that comes with being confined to the house got to me so off I went on a mini-adventure for the afternoon. The pontoon boat wasn't hard to find. There are signs pointing visitors to its location which is to the right of the main wharf on the Baddeck waterfront. It wasn't there when I arrived but I only had to wait 3 or 4 minutes before the shuttle appeared at the dock. The small pontoon boat holds about a dozen people (all passengers are required to wear a life jacket) and it takes about 5 or 6 minutes to get to the island.

The first thing I saw upon arriving on Kidston Island was a building housing change rooms, washrooms and a sheltered outdoor area with picnic tables. Right next to this building was a sign with a trail map. There are three trails on the island; a very short one that leads to a harbour light and some beautiful views of the surrounding area, another one that is just slightly longer than the first one that leads to a rest area overlooking the bay and a third and much longer one that leads to the lighthouse and beach. All of these trails can be linked together for those visitors would wish to encircle the entire island which, I would guess, takes about an hour and is about 2.5 kilometers in length. I didn't encircle the entire island that day but I did hike various parts of the trail.

The beach is small and, although a little rocky, the water is crystal clear and great for swimming. There were two lifeguards on duty while I was there and the beach was not crowded. In fact, even though it was a beautiful afternoon, the entire island was almost deserted with maybe a dozen people. That was the best thing about it; it was quiet, peaceful and made for a great getaway from the crowds in the town of Baddeck. I found myself a quiet place near the beach, overlooking the sparkling waters of the Bras D'or lakes, where I could see dozens of sailboats passing by and relaxed in the sun with a book.

The shuttle did return a few times while I was there and I availed of a crossing late in the afternoon. Although the service is free, a tip jar is located at the front of the boat and because the service does rely on the generosity of passengers, it is recommended that you make a donation to the Baddeck Lions Club so they can continue to provide this service for years to come.

LINKS OF INTEREST
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-07-20/article-3323070/Large-numbers-enjoying-Kidston-Island/1

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-04-17/article-3222312/Service-club-not-giving-up-fight-for-Kidston-Island-shuttle-service/1

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-04-15/article-3220645/Kidston-Island-shuttle-service-could-be-over/1