Today’s post will be mostly pictures. Lots and LOTS of pictures!
Before we left New Hampshire, we talked to some people who had visited Nova Scotia (well, actually all the Maritimes). They told us to consider skipping driving the Cabot Trail. Now, the Cabot Trail is a road that goes all around most of Cape Breton – 185 miles. Our response to that after today, is . . . . . WHAT?????
The first time we stopped.
The moral of the story is – it’s good to seek advice, but don’t take it blindly.
Of course, these are the same people who told us how much they LOVED the Coastal Drive in New Brunswick (the one we weren’t impressed with). So, to that I say . . . . to each his own.
Here’s some pictures from places we actually stopped at along the way – and this was only the east side! We’ll do the west side on Monday.
This is not only a great view, but also shows a bit of the road we were on.
Our first ‘official’ stop was to hike Middle Head Trail. Middle Head is ‘advertised’ as being a 2.4 mile, moderate hike. What a wonderful hike! All along the way we were immersed in the sound of gulls, ocean waves crashing on the rocky shores and the feel of sea breezes.
Middle Head starts at the Keltic Lodge. TINY parking lot that was overflowing down the street when we got back.
It’s dark because the sun hadn’t hit this part yet
Taking in the awe-inspiring view!
Yes, I ‘m sitting where I probably shouldn’t be. But if I didn’t, you wouldn’t have this great picture!
Blaine walked around to get this picture of me. You’ll see where he is next!
Here he is!
And, of course he had to go out further! Sorry, moms and dad.
On the edge. Crazy man! I can’t drive the RV home!
This was in between us
IMG_1553 Here’s a video
A couple of other views from along the trail.
I’m firmly of the opinion that God made all things beautiful in their own way. Even this!
Further up the coast, the Jack Pine connects with the Coastal Trail. We didn’t do the entire trail as it’s 7 miles long and if we did that, we wouldn’t have time to see anything else! We probably did about 1/3 of it.
My comment for this trail (besides amazingly awesome!)? Trust the boots! We had on our hiking boots because we’d been told both trails we were doing were rocky. This one really was! I get a little nervous for some reason. Partly because I don’t want to risk twisting an ankle, but mostly because I don’t like feeling off balance. I have excellent boots and I just need to trust that they will support me and not slip. I try . . . . and I go anyway, regardless of what my mind is telling me.
We went down into this and sat right by the water!
This shows better how close we were.
The cove to the right is where we were sitting.
We did a lot of ‘off trail’ exploring! This is what we do best and how we get to a lot of the adventures we end up having/seeing! We were rock walking, climbing, sitting, hanging on edges . . .
Up just beyond the grassy part is the trail.
We’re a bit off it . . . .
We have no idea why the rocks look like this, but it was pretty cool!
Here we go again . . . .
What’s the best way to get out there??
IMG_1586 Here’s a video
Blaine had to help me out there (one step was waaay too big for me).
Then after a bit he left and went to take a picture.
Just as I was leaving this perch, a wave came up and slapped me in the back! Just a few drops – well a little more than a few!
Heading back, reluctantly, we came across this tree graveyard.
As a reward for all our hard work, we stopped (by recommendation) at The Chowder House for . . . what else? Chowder! It was a dive of a place, that we never would have found, let alone stopped at on our own. Very small. And you had to stand and wait for a table to open up. Kinda weird standing and watching people eat, begging them with your eyes and salivating mouth, to hurry up. But the chowder didn’t disappoint!
This is the back.
We couldn’t get a picture of the front, unless you’d like to see the cars parked there. : ) The lighthouse is actually an ice cream stand!
There was a harbor in front of the parking lot.
After the hikes (about 5 miles total), we drove off the Cabot Trail to a point called ‘Meat Cove’. Weird name, huh? You had to take Meat Cove Road to get there. 😊 And endure more spectacular scenic views!
Meat Cove is a beautiful fishing village located on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. It’s unusual name is believed to have originated from the area being used as a popular location for hunters to dress animal carcass’ during it’s early history.
When we got to the end of the road – literally the end of the island, there was a campground. Certainly, nothing like our coach could camp there! They’d never get up the winding, Jeep-worthy road! But it was a VERY cool place – literally and figuratively. And WIN–DY! Kept thinking the pitched tents would blow away!
Meat Cove Campground
We were a bit disappointed there was nothing else around and it seemed like you couldn’t get to the beach below, but then we saw a person and thought, “There must be a way!” And you know the saying, where there’s a will, there’s a way. We definitely had the will! And we found the way. Most people would just walk down the road, but not us! We have a Jeep! This is why we have a Jeep! Very adventurous, though not very long! And well worth the drive to get here!
Here’s the road we came down.
Now. To get back up . . .
The campground from the beach.
I LOVE this! Waves crashing up on rocks!
It’s why I’m looking forward to Maine’s coast!
While we didn’t get any pictures of them, we saw puffins flying around here with things in their mouths, so we’re assuming they were working on a nest(s) we couldn’t see – even with Blaine climbing around.
There he goes again!
We drove the two hours back home and were greeting with dinner all ready in the crock pot! Yum!! And great that all we had to do was get out plates, because we were dog-tired!