Wanna know how we started our day?
We were sitting at the table eating breakfast – inside where it was 60 degrees, rather than outside where it was 53 – when suddenly, flying straight toward our window was a bald eagle! It kept coming, straight and low, turning just before it got to us, showing us his profile at window level! WOW! Thank you, Lord for that vision to start our day!
We headed up the west side of Cabot Trail today. Blaine promised me Jeep roads, but I didn’t think he meant Cabot Trail itself. Much of the time it felt like we were back in Ohio!
This side is much more rugged-looking than the other and there aren’t as many places to stop, so many pictures were thru the bug-splattered, reflective windshield. I’m putting all the road views together. I removed the spots the best I could.
Warming cookies on the dash. : )
I don’t have a picture because we were on the road, but I saw a BLACK BEAR!! Truly! I really, really did! It was lumbering through a field, making a bee-line for the woods. Otherwise, I would have made Blaine turn around. I was really sorry Blaine missed it. ☹
Today, our theory was confirmed. Monday is wash day in Canada. Also, in the category of stuff you really don’t want to know is gas prices. Gas here runs 1.05 – 1.10 . . . . . . per liter. Just to help you out, 1 gallon = 3.79 liters. This means if gas costs, let’s split the difference and say $1.07/liter, it’s actually $4.06/gallon. I can hear you saying, “Wow! She’s really smart!” And while I could just let you think that, my conscience won’t let me. I used Siri and Blaine – the number’s guru. And then there’s this tidbit – they tax EVERYthing and it’s 15%! That pretty much covers our favorable exchange rate. . .
Before I get back to our outing, here’s a sample of the humor I get to deal with every day:
As we’re hiking: “So where do you suppose the moose hang out all day?”
“At the moose lodge.”
As we’re driving thru cows: “Be sure you take a cow.”
“I don’t think I should. The owners probably wouldn’t like it.”
And of course, it’s all very serious on my part, and very deadpan on his. I love that he can still make me laugh!
OK, back on the road now. Here’s what road construction looks like in Canada. They even use a pickup with a “Follow Me” sign to take people through.
One of our main objectives (and the only real hiking we plan on doing today) is the Skyline Trail. It’s the most popular hike in Cape Breton National Park, and until you get to the steps, it’s extremely easy. If I remember right, I think you could even take a wheelchair on it. But this is only if you don’t do the loop. Here’s what the park information says about it:
A dramatic headland overlooking the rugged Gulf coast. Whales, eagles, moose, bears. Fragile vegetation – stay on boardwalk. For your safety, dogs not permitted. 4 mile return (which means down and back on the same trail) or 5.1 mile (loop).
Whales? Eagles? Moose? Bears? Yeah, right. Also, by the time we were done (walking from the parking lot, which is quite a hike itself and a side trip), it was more like 6 miles.
Here we go!
View from a side trail we took.
We were curious when we came to all this fencing and gate. Does it remind you of anything?
We immediately thought, “Jurassic Park”! So are we inside, or outside?
Turns out (because they put a sign by the gate), they enclosed it for study purposes. They want to see the importance moose play in the eco-system. The gated area keeps the moose out. I’m not sure how long this has been going on, but it didn’t look any different to us.
A couple of views from when we first got to the end of the trail.
Then we enjoyed a snack with a spectacular view!
Blaine walked down so I could get a picture. He’s the white blur standing on the platform.
He took a picture of me too. On the right, white shirt.
See the bus crossing the bridge?
If you’re even considering the extra hiking, we strongly suggest taking the loop part first. It’s much more scenic to walk towards the ocean rather than away from it.
Views on the loop trail, but we had to turn around to get them!
Next, we drove up to a town called Red River where Blaine was expecting a Jeep road. It was dirt and gravel, but not particularly Jeep-worthy. However, the reward at the end was stupendous!
After parking in a ‘designated’ spot, we took an apparent trail to . . .???? We had no idea what we’d find. Turns out, it was – an old homestead? Hunting cabin? Camping cabin? Hard to say, but what a view they had! We can’t believe these things just get left, and we’ve seen several from the road.
The start of the trail from where we parked
We came upon this and were concerned that we were on someone’s property! But the lure of the potential view compelled us.
And here it is!
The boarded up, overgrown front
After taking in the views, we headed down a different trail. It was narrow to start with, and kept getting more narrow. Blaine heard someone coming behind us, so we waited and asked a local if it went anywhere. He said in about 7 kilometers, it ended at a place called Pollett’s Cove where there are some wild horses and it’s beautiful. And off he went, into the brush. Well, we went a few feet and said, forget it. Too much brush for us to fight through and we certainly weren’t hiking that far. Maybe if we come this way again someday. . .
Our next planned destination was a late lunch at the Rusty Anchor. Finally, a great seafood place! AND we had these views from our outdoor table!
We both got the seafood platter. Haddock, shrimp, mussels and Digby scallops (which are a big deal I’ll talk more about when we get to Digby) YUMMM!!
While we waited for our food, an eagle decided to glide along the ridge – just on the other side of the barricade in the background! Of course, it happened too fast to get a picture. (Sigh)
On our way back home, we went over to Cheticamp Island because there’s a dirt road to the lighthouse. You won’t believe it! On the way to the lighthouse, right there on the ocean – – a herd of cows! That’s right. Cows. Lots of them. On both sides of the road – and in the road. There’s a sign that says not to touch the animals, but we had no idea they meant cows! Does that count as wildlife viewing???
That’s the town of Cheticamp across the water.
After maneuvering through the hazards, we made it to the lighthouse!
IMG_1705 This video was taken on a true Jeep-worthy road that went beyond the lighthouse. We didn’t go far, but what we did sure was fun!
So, to sum up, before we leave this part of Cape Breton, we’ve hiked about 15 miles in three days and driven well over 500. And all to provide you with this blog (and us with a journal). 😊