THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

On Thursday we drove some of the Cabot Trail.  "The Cabot Trail loops around the northern tip of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, 185 miles or 298 km long. The trail passes through many charming communities, each with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable hospitality. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park lies along the Cabot Trail, providing world class hiking."

PILLAR ROCKS



We stoped at MacIntosh Brook and hiked for about 15-20 minutes to a beautiful waterfall. 

Next we went to Lone Shieling, which is a 15 min. loop through 350 year old maple stand where there was a reproduction of a Scottish crofter's hut.

We drove through Pleasant Bay a small fishing community.  Steve loves to take all the dirt roads to we followed the Red River Road to a Buddhist Monastery, Gampo Abbey.  The abbey was closed to tours but the ride was so beautiful.

Pleasant Bay has a Whale Interpretive Center we stopped at and learned quite a bit about whales in the area.

We stopped at The Bog and walked on a boardwalk through the area.  The landscape was very different from just down the road.  We also stopped at the Veterans Monument and Cap Rouge.  The Cabot Trail is amazing.  It has the water on one side and the mountains on the other.

THE PITCHER PLANT WHICH EATS BUGS.



We drove up and then down the switchbacks for French Mountain which is 435 m high (1427 ft.)  Also we drove up and down North Mountain 455 m (1492 ft.)  We plan to take the camper over these mountains on Sunday.  Hope the break are good!!

Of course our day would not be complete without stopping at the local market and bakery.  Got some wonderful raisin bread,  butter and milk. 

We met some bicyclists from Deer Island Maine and they were biking the whole Cabot Trail.  They took a picture of us at one of the outlooks.

Picture of us near the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

We drove to another water falls:  Beulach Ban Falls.  Steve was very excited because we had to drive a dirt road in 4 wheel drive for about 6.5 km.  It was totally worth the trip.