Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Cape Breton Beauty!

There was no sadness in our eyes as we waved goodbye and headed to Cape Breton on Aug 19.10. As predicted, the sun was shining and we didn't encounter any (major) yahoos on the road.
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Malcolm was ready for the road as well; and we brought along a good mystery CD just in case the radio stations weren't up to our taste. (We needn't have worried about being entertained.)



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We stopped for coffee & a breakfast sandwich in Antigonish and reached the island of Cape Breton by 11 am. Because we were ahead of schedule, we also took the Ceilidh Trail (pronounced kay-lee) which meets up with the Cabot Trail. The western side of the island is mostly Scottish/Gaelic ancestry; and I love the fact that the signs are in both English and Gaelic! We listened to Cape Breton's own "Rankin Family" as we drove through the beautiful little villages. (I think it's probably against the law NOT to play them!!).
Just outside the mouth of the Cabot Trail, we stopped to stretch our legs. In a little field next to a fragrant wood mill, I found what could be the man of my dreams! At least, he met most of the things on my list: single, refined, quiet, doesn't matter if he's bald. I wasn't able to find out if he was rich or not as he was unresponsive to all my flirtations!.
A little further on, we stopped for lunch in the Acadian village of Chetticamp.
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You simply cannot drive through Chetticamp without stopping to say hello to "Joe's Scarecrows". Judy and I met the Queen Mother (God rest her sainted soul!), Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and many others..
We also stopped at the Catholic church for a walk through. Beautiful architecture and lovely atmosphere!.
After one more stop to buy Cape Breton oatcakes, we were on the road again. And we soon reached the start of the Cabot Trail and our scenic drive through the highlands. Malcolm was a little put out at the construction, but I think his mood was more delayed anticipation of what was to come.
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Come with us now as we drive the Trail. It was absolutely breathtaking in its beauty!.
This was where I discovered that my camera's memory card was full! Drat! Can't trust your own children to keep you up on your equipment!
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Judy took more pictures. But suffice to say, it was absolutely beautiful.
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We had a light supper at "The Clucking Hen" in St Ann's, took the tiny ferry across at Ingonish and reached North Sydney by early evening. After we successfully hunted down a Shopper's Drug Mart and a larger memory card for my camera, we checked into our B&B.
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But that's another day! Stay tuned ...




10 comments:

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh girl, what a grand trip ya'll had. The scenery is just amazing. The green hills and hollers resembles the Ozarks...without the blue waters. Our lake waters this time of year are kinda green lookin'. Sorry!

I spied you dream fella in the background. 'Looked a little stiff for ya, he probably wouldn't appreciate your fantastic sense of humor.

I want wait to hear more, I'm so happy you got to do this. I can only imagine what you two got into! Heeeheheheh!

God bless, welcome home and have an extraordinary day sweetie!!!

Mel said...

I am loving your updates, I feel as if I'm on a virtual journey with you.

The photo's of the trail bring back some great memories for me although it's been about 30 years since I drove it.

I'm looking forward to your next update.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Driving the Cabot Trail is on my bucket list! Your pictures are spurring me on to do it!

Antique ART Garden said...

What a fun, exciting trip you and your friend had ! thanks so much for the tour for us, take care, Gina

Maureen said...

Beautiful pictures! So nice that you found a man on your adventure. A quiet one too!

Lisa said...

Delightful entry about your adventures and travels. Now I'm wondering just exactly where Cape Breton is as I have not been able to keep up with journaling and my usual blog reading... and I'm lost... but wherever you are I thought maybe that is a French speaking settlement. Very lovely photos!
Lisa in Kentucky

The Words Crafter said...

What lovely photos! I'm glad you had fun and I look forward to seeing more from the trip. I love anything Gaelic, it's the Irish in me!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

It looks as though you'd stepped on the shores of the green Isle itself. I wasn't aware of the Irish influence there. Gaelic is something you don't see on many signs this side of the Atlantic. How beautiful it all is. I'll be looking forward to more pictures.

Unknown said...

Wow! So beautiful. I've never been to Cape Breton. Makes me want to go!

wendy said...

I love Malcolm the moose.
I wanna see Eastern Canada sooooooo bad.
someday
for now, I'll enjoy your pictures

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