Ingonish, Cape Breton
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Spring is just arriving here - the forsythia is blooming, tulips have emerged but not fully open, and the deciduous trees, that are scattered thru the pines, spruce and fir are budding....no leaves yet. According to some locals we have met, we have hit a perfect week - the weather, averaging in the mid 40's/low 50's during the day, is mostly clear skies when this time of year it is most often foggy. The "season" has barely begun, many shops and restaurants are not yet open, but we can see signs of local establishments readying themselves for what lies ahead.
And this is how we like it!
On top of Broad Cove Mountain. Basically 44 "flights" up!
Cape Breton National Park
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Our campground at Broad Cove, on the eastern side of the Cape, which has over 200 slots - currently has 6 camping parties in residence. Our stay here will be for 3 nights after which we will move on to the other side of the park.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park covers @ 400 square miles of rugged coastline, soaring highlands, and deep river canyons of streams, rivers, and waterfalls. It is home to 3 types of forests -Acadian, Boreal, and Taiga.
Up close with the coastline.
Cape Breton National Park
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Over the course of our first two days here we climbed 40 "flights" to the top of Broad Cove Mountain which offered us spectacular vistas looking out over the Atlantic, walked around Mary Ann Falls - whose clear rushing rushing water shown russet from the deep reds of the soil and stones, we raced across granite boulders on the headlands at Lakies Head and Green Cove, and followed the sounds of the rushing Black Brook taking us to a delightful pine forest setting overlooking the descent of the brook into the ocean below.
Pools of russet at Mary Ann Falls
Cape Breton National Park
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We ventured north and popped out of the confines of the park for a bit to explore various loops through headlands leading to small fishing towns. White Point, Dingwall, St. Margaret Village - exposed, remote and open to the sea each area was pristinely beautiful and serene. At every turn there is a photo worthy view.... we just soaked it in. We bought tiny bay scallops and maple smoked salmon in Neil's Harbor to have for dinner one night along with the barrel aged imperial stout from Big Spruce Brewing that we picked up the day before.
Lakies Head
Cape Breton National Park
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Driving through the north section of the park we criss crossed along hairpin turns that looked deep into the canyons of the forests and walked along a stream through a small area of 350 year old sugar maples to a replica of a Scottish crofter's hut.
Crofter's hut
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As we stood on the headlands at Black Point overlooking Meat Cove, the furtherest point out that is accessible by roads, I felt like we were on the bow of a boat. The Atlantic stretched out forever - 180 degrees of ocean and sea and sky became one.
Black Point, Meat Cove
Cape Breton
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Cape Breton National Park
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But.......
It seems fate (and electrical systems/mechanics) had other plans for us. Earlier we had experienced a minor on board battery charging incident which righted itself after driving for a few hours. Well, now minor became major and we had no power - which meant that we had no pump for the water, no pump for the sewer system - no fun.
SO we made the executive decision to drive the 2 1/2 hours to the closest RV repair center in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. They were already closed by the time we figured all this out so, in fact, we did not even know if they could service our rig! IF we don't get this fixed we'll be forced to return home - which is something neither of us want to do!!! We pulled into the repair center after dark, found a corner in their back parking lot between 2 trailers, dined on tuna salad sandwiches and finally settled down for the night.
Stones RV sprung to life around 7:30 am and we were waiting. Tim and I are currently waiting in their nice lobby and the POD is being examined.
It is pouring out.
Our fate awaits.
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Neil's Harbor
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