Colorado to Nova Scotia: Cape Breton

Dubious of our big, big trip after the Great (tent) Flood of Fundy we question next steps. Glorious days of paddling, biking, camping, hiking, and exploring the North Shore are behind us. We have checked Quebec City off the bucket list and seen the largest vertical tide in the world at the Bay of Fundy. What's the big deal with this Trail that’s actually a road? The Cabot Trail. 

the back deck minus coffee, pizza, towels and us!

After a relaxing regroup over lunch at Kris’s favorite restaurant of the entire long trip - Wiley’s by the Wharf in Wallace - we recapture a bit of adventurous spirit and decide to persist. A compromise, though, we will take a few days off, with a roof over our heads to recharge literally and figuratively before setting out again. 

just what we needed

Three and a half hours later and a late day causeway crossing, we have landed at our blissful, just-what-we-needed Airbnb on Cape Breton. First things first: dry. Then proper showers, dinner and a bit of me-time for everyone. Dark descends and the stars come out. SO MANY STARS. in this place on the lake with luxuries like laundry and hot showers, a comfy bed and a TV! We feel like new.

Over coffee the next morning, on the back deck and then the dock, we gaze out on Bras d'Or Lake. WHAT A VIEW! A flip-flop falls off of the dock, into the water, floats away and we make a late, cowardly jump in to retrieve it from the water which, ultimately, seals the deal on more swims. Outdoor shower? Yes! No. (no water) Too bad.

We trickle charge at the house but Kris worries about our ability to complete the Cabot Trail without a full tank and there is a fast-ish charger across from The Highwheeler Cafe and Bakery - my favorite restaurant of the entire long trip. Of course it’s a bakery. We have delicious breakfast/lunch treats while charging on both mornings in Baddeck. 

fancy lattes, smoothies, breakfast sammies and chowder for breakfast/lunch

On the first day, there are others waiting for the fast charger so we move to the slow chargers at the Alexander Graham Bell museum and historic site. What a fascinating, curiosity-inspired, eccentric, inventor-dude who was fully supported by his equally exceptional, feminist, teacher-wife-mother, Mabel Hubbard Bell.

jump in, like fish and then dry off in the backyard

Back at base camp, we suit up and head out to the dock. And jump in. And jump in. And jump in. Over and over into the warm, cool salty, lake water. Like fish, we jump in with the jellyfish and the starfish and the other fish. Dog jumped in, too. She is a super dog but unfortunately can't climb the dock ladder, squirms when we try to lift her back up onto the dock and the bank is too steep and slippery and rocky for her to climb out so she watches jealously (and loudly). We gleefully shower while Kris continues a bit of fast charging and grabs goey pizzas for dinner. Then, the stars again. Oh, the stars.

We are clean, dry, re-folded, re-organized and re-freshed. 

ready!

Cabot Trail here we come!