Day 15 - Friday July 14 - CBH NP, NS

Amazing Views

So today we followed the advice of a good friend and headed North to Sugarloaf beach, or more accurately named, John Cabot Provincial Park. We'd been told that the beach was long, lonely and lovely. What more do you need to hear? So after a hardy breakfast of oatmeal and fruit we packed up the car and drove to the Northern tip of the Island (at least the northern tip of the Cabot Trail). 

You can't see it, but that's the beach - right out the front of our tent!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a big part of our morning - Parka. The National Parks are great - they're beautiful, inexpensive and uniquely Canadian. They're also a business, and like any business, they need to attract customers. One of the ways they attract (younger) customers, is with their cute and fuzzy mascot - Parka, who has a very strong presence at Ingonish Beach campground! Gord met her. Gord courted her with colouring books and stickers. Gord fell in love. More on this later. 

Gord and Parka, a match made in the Cape Breton highlands. 

So anyway, we hit the road. The hills were steep and the switchbacks tight, but nothing too surprising as we'd been driving these roads for the better part of a day already. After a few hours we found the spot, and we were not disappointed. It was a perfect beach day - hot, sunny and a weekday, so it was basically empty. After scaring away an amorous younger couple merely with our domestic presence G and I staked out a good spot for our blanket and called Mom and Hannah down.

Gord fell in love with the surf.

Like, really fell in love.

There are few better feelings, in my modest opinion, than moments like these.

Beach in front of them, mountains behind, what more do you want?

Beach baby 2!

We spent the day at the beach. Nothing more than that. We munched on snacks. We swam when we got hot. Gord (and one of his parents, at various times) made 'traps' on the beach for the 'bad bugs'. We chatted with people who came by and were also struck with the beauty of the place and our little family. We enjoyed the day. When it was time for dinner we packed up and headed for Pleasant Bay.

My family (typically) not appreciating the very interesting history of the place. According to the plaques John Cabot 'discovered' North America when he landed his ship here long ago. Never mind the people who had been living there for hundreds (if not thousands) of years.

The road to Pleasant Bay - pics just don't do the white knuckling justice. 

Theresa had gotten wind of a restaurant on Cape Breton said to be the best of them all. The food was fresh and local, the preparation perfect, and since we were already half way there why not go the extra mile and see what all the fuss was about. 

By the time we got to The Rusty Anchor in Pleasant Bay we were famished and tired, but that didn't stop us. We found a table, inside as per G's request, and tucked in. The service was ok if gruff. T got the famed Cape Breton scallops, and I elected to again break my meat fast and had a lobster roll. G had a side of fries and another side of apple slices. I think he was the most pleased. It was all good, but when you hear stories and build up an idea in your head it's hard to match those lofty expectations. The lobster roll was good, but not life altering. The scallops were overcooked and a little rubbery. We still found room for a slice of cheese cake and lemon meringue pie, but we left thinking some of the appeal must lay in the scenery. The view is beyond compare, even if the flavours are not far beyond pedestrian

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The welcoming sign of the Rusty Anchor - the best food in Cape Breton, we were told. It certainly was fresh!

Gord on the rusty anchor - what a treat. 

After dinner we headed home. Hannah had had enough of the dayy and cried most of the way, which made the white knuckle cliffs all the more stressful but we made it home safely and hit the hay. G and I had a short fire, and sleep again came easy.

Tomorrow we hoped to again see Parka and to take a guided hike. Good stuff.

Remarkable Scenery - Those People Stole Our Shoes!