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..
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..
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 ...