Category: Canada

Cabot Trail

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We were up early today and on our way by 7:00. We were well on our way to North Sydney when Gail remembered that we had not refuelled. Recalling a previous trip around the Cabot Trail one memory was the limited opportunities to refuel. We left the highway at the first fuel sign sort of expecting it would be close to the exit. Not so! We ended up in North Sydney before finding a gas station. It was a nice drive and we were in no hurry. Fuel tank full, we again set out for the Cabot Trail entry point at South Haven.

The road is a very twisty turny upsi downsi affair. A total of about 200 km (125 miles) with the highest elevation being about 450 metres (1475 feet). While every twist and turn reveals new vistas photos soon begin to seem repetitive so I have tried to restrain myself and offer a sample of about 20 in the Photo Gallery.

During the tour we were without cell service for about 30% of the time, mainly the northern and western sections and XM radio reception was also spotty but GPS was always present. There were emergency telephones located periodically but it was a reminder that reliable mobile telephone service is not guaranteed. Restrooms were another item in short supply.

We ended today’s trip at a quaint hotel in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, that had a restaurant on site. Another opportunity for me to enjoy Atlantic seafood, salmon tonight. It was a great day overall and the weather was nearly perfect.

The highways in this part of Canada are strange to Ontario folk like me. They vary in colour from black to red to green. They also have a strong tendency to pull the steering toward the right. Occasionally, there is a rapid slewing right to left. On the positive side, there are few potholes.

Check out the photos. Tomorrow will be a short drive but it will be our 58th anniversary.

Ivan Doig, This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind

There is more time than there is expanse of the world and so any voyage at last will end.

Cape Breton Island

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There was no rush to get on the road today, only 300 km to Sydney. It was a cool, bright morning and after a refuelling stop, we were on our way. There is only one route to Cape Breton Island, Highway 104. The Canso Causeway is the only link between the Nova Scotia mainland and Cape Breton Island. The island accounts of nearly 20% of the total area of Nova Scotia and about 15% of its population. It contains an inland sea called Bras d’Or Lake which is open to the ocean but is also fed from fresh water rivers. The Cabot Trail is a major attraction where it is possible to spend days visiting attractions, hiking and eating. We are just going to drive from South Haven to Margaree Harbour which is not the entire 298 km and only a quick look.

I had expected to find more side trips on today’s trip but St Peter was really the only one. We drove along the shore of Bras d’Or Lake which is very pretty and varied but photos don’t show it well. When we arrived in Sydney we stopped to replenish our lunch supplies then continued to our hotel, an hour early. The desk clerk was very pleasant and accommodating so we were checked in early.

When we arrived, we inquired about a place for dinner and were referred to Governors Pub. We took a drive to local the pub and found hoards of tourists from the three cruise ships in port. The Celebrity Eclipse, Norwegian Sky and Emerald Princess were in port which probably unleashed 5,000 or more tourists on Sydney. We did see the ships from our hotel in the south of the city.

We returned to Governors Pub for dinner after the ships had departed. When we arrived at the pub it was nearly deserted. The locals gradually arrived as we ate our meal. Yes, I did get my first lobster dinner in years.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.

Edmunston to Truro

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After a reasonably good night’s sleep we started for Truro, Nova Scotia. It was the coolest morning so far at about 5 degrees celsius and there was some fog as we started our highway drive eastward. It was not too heavy and it became patchy but it presented an eerie glow as we drove into the sun. And then it was gone. The sky was generally overcast with sunny breaks throughout the day.

It was pretty much a scenic drive through the hilly countryside. The trees have not yet begun to show much of their autumn colours but there is just a hit that the change is not far away. This was the shortest leg of the trip so far and we arrived in Truro at 3 PM Atlantic Time.

After we were checked into the motel we decided to take a little side trip so we started toward Portapique along the north side of Cobequid Bay which is an extension of the Bay of Fundy. It was nearly high tide so the marshes were very wet. We will not get to see it at low tide this time but we will see the bay of Fundy twice as we are in port at St John, New Brunswick and possibly a full tidal cycle.

Our side trip took us along a one and a half lane gravel road Along the shore of Cobequid Bay. We saw numerous homes, some of which looked like all season homes while others suggested cottage life.

So now, after dinner, we are relaxing in preparation for a very short day tomorrow. This may allow for some scenic side trips or detours. Check out today’ pictures in the “East Coast Road Trip 2024 · Maritime Cruise 2024” item in the Photo Gallery menu.

Paul Theroux

Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.

The first 497.4 km done

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Apple maps predicted 490 km in 5 hours and 3 minutes without stops. The actual 497.3 km took 6 hours and 12 minutes with three stops. All of the stops were at Onroute service centres. The first at Port Hope after a slowish trip through Toronto, the second at Trenton and the third at Odessa. Packing a sandwich for lunch really expedites lunch stops.

Highway 401 does not offer much of interest for photography but there was one head scratcher. As we were progressing eastward after lunch westbound traffic diminished to nothing and then we came upon the answer. Many flashing red, blue and yellow lights. One medium sized truck on the hook of a wrecker, a semi off the road in the ditch to the right of the highway, several OPP vehicles and a trail of debris littering the highway for several hundred metres. We were apparently looking at the aftermath of a fatal accident that happened late last night. I was able to find a news item on this accident. It is a bit ominous to see the highway void of cars.

Tomorrow will be a longer drive along the south side of the St Lawrence river. There may even be something worthy a photo.

Chief Seattle

Take only memories, leave only footprints.