Day 48 - Friday, July 18 - Cape Breton

Beautiful morning - weather forecast is for a warm, dry weekend.  We are heading out in the direction of Cape Breton this morning.  We did some exploring the other day and found a shorter route out of here.  The campsite where we are at is 16 Kms from the main road and we didn't want to back track, so instead we are heading east and will hook up with the main road in the direction we want to be going.  We will be saving at least 50 Kms!  

First stop this morning is Antigonish for fuel.  So far we have travelled over 7,700 Kms!  Wow and still many more to go.  And here is a scene from this mornings journey.

As we enter Antigonish Dan remarks on the road.  "I wish all the roads were this color - it's a nice change from grey"!  Some of the roads, portions or just the on and off ramps are red.  Hmm, not sure why.

Fuel is still only $1.35 or so - that makes me happy.  Now back on the highway to Cape Breton. 

We entered Cape Breton through the Canso Causeway.   The causeway joins Cape Breton and the rest of Nova Scotia.  Welcome to Cape Breton.

We stopped at the info centre at Port Hawkesbury just on the other side of the causeway.  Beautiful already.  This picture is taken from the info centre looking at the causeway. 

And this is looking across the water.  Very scenic!

Linda, at the info centre, was so very helpful.  I wondered what a Ceilidh was.  She told me it is Gaelic for a kitchen party or gathering with music and if we see one advertised we should go.  It is pronounced Kay-lee, not at all what it looks like!  So she even phoned for a reservation for us for a campsite tonight - just outside of Baddeck on the Bras D'Or Lakes.  Awesome!  So off we go on the 105 heading east. 

The campsite is awesome - very clean showers and laundry - immaculate Dan says - so we decide to stay 3 nights.  We set up, grab a bite to eat and then off to Baddeck to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.  Wow what a tribute to a very curious man who us intelligent beyond his time.  And by the way he was born on March 3, 1847 (my birthday!) in Edinborough, Scotland.   Just a few of his pursuits and accomplishments: the telephone of course, teaching speech to the mute, multi telegraph after the Marconi invention; the kite, the glider and the hydrofoil boat.  

Above - A replica of the Silver Dart.

The man is quoted as saying - always pay attention to children, they have very simple questions that make you wonder why can't we???? His place here in Baddeck, Beinn Bhreagh (Gaelic: beautiful mountain) after Bell's ancestral Scottish Highlands, was an estate situated on 450 acres overlooking Bras D'Or Lakes. 

Alec, as he was called, even thought of trying to get the sheep to have 2 lambs every year for productivity.  His sheep always 6 teats, which he thought was the reason they had twins.  A very clever and curious man!!! Awesome museum and not to be missed.

Tonight after dinner we are contemplating going to a Ceilidh in Baddeck.  Cape Breton Fiddle Music, Song and Dance is how it is advertised and held at St.Michael's Parish Hall.  We got there early and good thing too - this is a popular attraction.  Very informal, wonderful music and you can learn a jig as well.  There was a break and you could could get tea, water and oat cakes (a Scottush cookie).  I had tea and a cookie - yum.  We actually sat next to a couple that are from Sidney, Vancouver Island!  This is their 5th trip across Canada - can you imagine? They gave us some tips and ideas on where to go.  

The Musicians

Donna May has been playing since she was 10 years old.  Tracy McNeill is the mother of 5 girls and played the piano professionally for 15 years, but only accompanies other musicians presently.  Tracy's husband plays the pipes.  A great duo - although it is normal in Cape Breton for musicians to play together even though they have never met.  Hmmm, interesting.  It was lots of fun and I would love to go again if the opportunity arises.