After leaving the Halifax region we traveled 240 miles to
Baddeck on Cape Breton Island. Our center of operations for four days would be
Baddeck Cabot Trail Campground near one entrance to the Cabot Trail. From here
we would travel to tour the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck, travel
parts of the world famous Cabot Trail, perhaps take in a music concert and maybe
eat some lobster.
The Alexander Graham Bell Museum
exhibits show how Bell and his associates achieved Canada’s first powered
flight with the Silver Dart, produced
the fastest boat in the world, made improvements to the phonograph, designed
giant kites and, of course, invented the telephone. Hands-on activities,
original artifacts, films and photographs all help to make for a delightful and
informative tour. Bell’s contributions to improving communication methods for
the deaf are noteworthy.
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| Silver Dart Replica |
We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the
museum with a superb view of Bras d’Or Lake.
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| Lunch with Dr. Bell |
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| Bras d'Or Lake |
The evening was spent enjoying a concert
at Baddeck Ceilidh Gathering featuring Cape
Breton fiddle and piano music along with square dancing and step dancing – very talented,
entertaining musicians and dancers performing traditional Scottish songs.
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| Foot stomping only, no hand clapping |
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| Volunteer dancers from the audience |
While the recommended time to
spend on the Cabot Trail is 3 – 5 days, we traveled it in one day. Over 20
pull-off viewpoints along the trail provided ample opportunities for
spectacular views of the mountains, plateaus, St. Lawrence Gulf and Atlantic
Ocean – especially look-offs at French, North and MacKenzie mountains.
Margaree Fish Hatchery tour was
unplanned, but we are glad we stopped.
Our favorite section of Cabot
Trail is Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
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| St. Lawrence Gulf |
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| Cape Breton Highlands National Park |
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| Fisherman's Cove |
Delightful dining at Bell Buoy
featuring lobster, fresh oysters and seafood – grilled salmon and French soup for
Michael, pan fried halibut for Darlene and Earl (smoked salmon appetizer) and
for Bettye, you guessed it, shrimp cocktail, lobster with seafood chowder.
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| Bell Buoy Restaurant in Baddeck |
Happy Trails!
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