Friday, September 8

Beaches, the Hostel, Stargazing

I drove from Louisbourg to Cape North, mostly driving northeast up the southeast side of Cape Breton Island and past Bras d’Or Lake.

Bras d’Or Lake (Mi’kmawi’simk: Pitupaq) is an irregular estuary in the centre of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. It has a connection to the open sea, and is tidal. It also has inflows of fresh water from rivers, making the brackish water a very productive natural habitat. It was designated the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2011.

~ Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bras_d’Or_Lake

Once past the free Englishtown ferry, there were pulloffs for many scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. I stopped at North Bay Beach and waded in the ocean. When I pulled in, a man who looked like Santa Claus in swimming trunks was riding his fat-tire bike to the beach. We had an amusing conversation about the challenges of growing old while I sat waiting for my feet to dry off.

The plants along the shore was very interesting and smelled great – something I repeatedly enjoyed during my entire visit. The mountain ash trees were brilliant. There were also signs in the overlook parking areas to be aware of an aggressive coyote that had been chasing bicyclists. It was trapped several days later.

I arrived at the Highlands Hostel in Cape North mid-afternoon. The hostel is located in an old church. After I chose my bunk bed in the loft area, I climbed two sets of ladders to the belltower. I opened the windows, and the views and breezes were amazing. I walked to dinner just up the road at Angie’s for fish & chips and strawberry shortcake with homemade cream biscuits. For late-night partying, there was a party bus and bonfire area.

I met Shannon, a young woman who was traveling by herself and shared the loft space with me and Gurdat, another guest. The three of us drove 10 minutes in the dark to Dingwall beach to see the stars. It was soooo dark that stars were about the only thing I could see!