Cross-Canada Birthday Roadtrip 2017: The Cabot Trail

On our schedule today was to drive the Cabot Trail around the Cape Breton peninsula. After a wonderful breakfast at the B&B, we headed out on the Trans Canada to catch the Cabot Trail. We had planned to start on the East side, however when we got to Englishtown there was a small ferry that cost CASH $7.00 and neither of us had a cent in our pockets so we drove back the few kms to find and ATM which was not to be found so we decided to continue on the highway and start with the west coast side of the trip. It was cloudy and cool but dry.

The terrain and vegetation is very different than what we are used to on the East Coast.

Excited about seeing the first sign indicating that the Cabot Trail is just up ahead.

"Just turn at the Red Barn, you can't miss it" they said. And 'they' were right!

At times the road narrowed to a one lane bridge. There were a number of bridges being replaced so the temporary Bailey bridges were in place.

The coast line with the colourful rock formations. The harbour was full of small fishing vessels that we figured out, from the signs, were tending lobster traps.

Typical of the terrain we saw along the west side.

Along the whole trail we discovered these large churches that are in the middle of nowhere. Still used and very old.

The Cabot Trail takes you through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Not a building to be seen but such a colourful array of plant life and trees including many larch trees.

Sometimes the highway followed the coastline close to the ocean and at other times it swung inland and climbed and went through some very high mountain passes.

It's early spring here in Cape Breton so the grasses are just greening and the trees are just beginning to leaf resulting in a hillside of variegated green.

The rock formations are very colourful. We drove on roads the colour of that pink in this boulder. Yes the one that Marley is sitting on.

A number of times we drove from high in the clouds all the way back down to the water. The thermometer went from 11C to 2C and back to 10C.

On the east side the shoreline is often a beach of small pebbles. Very colourful rocks of all shapes.

This beach was listed as a swimming beach but I didn't see anyone on the beach or in the water. It was 5C so I think it will be a while before that happens.

A short walk took us to this outcropping of boulders of strange colours and designs.

Now I know where the coloured sand comes from to make that 'pink' asphalt that we were driving on.

A very calm ocean. We were about 2/3rds of the way along the trail when it started to rain.

The shoreline went on with this same pattern for miles and miles.

Even Marley was perplexed by the designs and patterns in the boulders.

Snakes and Ladders or whatever. So unique.

I would have to speak to an archaeologist to find out what the composition of these boulders is.

Another church way out in nowhere.

Because of the rain we decided to make the best of it and so we stopped at the various artisan shops along the way. This shop, call Sew Inclined, was run by an eccentric Milner who made unique hats. Lucy left empty handed. She does some unique work for sure.

We also stopped at a glass blowing place. The shop had so many delicate pieces of art that I thought it would be best if my visit was short. The front yard had these pieces of art that spun in the wind. Enough to drive any neighbour away. :)

This was the small ferry that we took which was like crossing a freeway. Crossing time was 2.5 minutes. :)

This journey took us back to the Trans Canada. We had completed the Cabot Trail. With the extra day light time left we decided to take another destination off of our bucket list. To give some history behind this let me explain that a number of months ago one of our church members sang a song called Ode to the Mira. (look it up on youtube and listen to it) Anyway, we found an excellent performance of the song by the Vancouver group Chor Leoni, and have played it many times. The song is about the river Mira and the village of Marion Bridge. So we decided that one day we would visit it. Today was that day.

It was dinner time when we arrived so we sought out a place to eat and found this out of the way restaurant on the Mira. The Mira River Cottages and Restaurant. It was run by a Swiss family who had moved here 20 years ago. Great food and service.