118-119 Cape Breton: Cabot Trail
With a nice shiny new Ford Fusion and two kiwi companions I set out on a drive around the Cabot Trail, a fun day previously postponed due to massive amounts of water falling from the sky.
The plan was to ride up the western side of the Cabot trail stay at the hostel in Pleasant Bay then complete the eastern side and head back to Sydney.
The first day up the western side proved cold windy and rainy. We balked at the weather with smug grins and laughter from behind the safety of our windscreen with a nice toasty heater keeping the rear ends warm. It was amazing how fast the drive was on the same route that I rode to get to Sydney (which took me all day) and after a lunch stop we were in Pleasant Bay knocking on the door of an empty hostel. It was alright though after figuring out the WIFI password we were all happily tapping away lost in our own virtual worlds. Our host Shane got in at 5pm after a long drive from Halifax and got us quickly sorted and settled.
Shorty after out fellow hostelers started showing up a young woman from Quebec City, A mom and daughter from Antigonish (on a favorite weekend getaway) and a young couple from Ireland (who are wrapping up a 5 month journey that took then through South America, the U.S and Eastern Canada). When you add in two New Zealanders and an American we made a nice little pot of like minded energy and attitudes with a great many adventure stories being shared.
After a nice restful sleep and some leisurely goodbyes we set out on the second of our Cabot Trail excursion. The weather proved more agreeable with the sun even making an appearance to help spring us along the road, heads swiveling and the marvel that surrounded us.
Back in Sydney car turned in and settled into the hotel for the night it’s time to get some work done and gear up for our 18hr/520km ferry ride to Argentia, Newfoundland.
But before getting ahead of ourselves I’ll leave you my virtual friends with some photos of the famed Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia’s beautiful Cape Breton.
Were you driving Ken ? or did you have to arm-wrestle Brent to stop and take all of those wonderful pictures…. so glad you got to experience Cape Breton island… apparently It might be a huge draw location if a certain Republican gets elected in Nov. ha ha Enjoy your Ferry ride Ken,I’m looking forward to the next part of your journey.
Yup I was driving. Ya I read about it being a welcome.e haven, I might be one of them 🙂 Thanks for enjoying my journey. About to land in Newfoundland and finish up the the Cross Canada journey. Looking forward to exploring a bit of the St. John area before I start heading south.
I know you’re not asking for recommendations for activities while in St.John’s because there is A LOT to take in but my top five were 1.Cape Spear 2. Signal Hill 3.Quidi Vidi beer tour ( and area ) 4.Catheral of St. John the Baptist 5. George Street… Getting screeched in( kissing the cod and being sworn in as a honorary Newfoundlander) oh and probably Fort Amherst cause then you get a great view of the battery. Enjoy the new language lol
Really looking forward to getting to St. Johns tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions, I had a few of those on my list but a few I didn’t so thanks. So far Newfoundland has been amazing, today’s ride was great. A screech is soon in my future 🙂