Home I'll Be

After our first day on the Cabot Trail, around our campfire, Parker wondered when we were going home. Life on the road in the RV was getting him down. He was hearing of things that his friends were doing at home. Parker has never been an excited traveller and I told him he was suffering from FOMO. We explained this to Abby and I told her that I was blissful in my JOMO (joy of missing out). Keith asked Abby what she was feeling and she said she just loves to be with her family. So adorable. Abby is my traveller, she would go to the ends of the earth with me if I asked her. We decided that one more day on the trail would suffice for us all and then we would head back home. That satisfied Parker and probably Keith too, who is always excited to get home. I'm always happy to be at home after travelling but my wanderlust is real. I will have to get more creative in my trip planning as my kids get older and they begin to want to stay home during the summer.

So the next morning we decided to do the trail clockwise.  We left while the kids were still sleeping again so we stopped at La Bloc Beach for breakfast. We have said that this was a highlight of the trip for us all. It was still relatively early and there was no one on the beach except for a few dog walkers. One lady with a dog saw us reading the information about the beach and mentioned that one of the men in the picture was her grandfather. She pointed up to a red cliff high above the beach and told us that land once belonged to her family. They don't own the land anymore because land was expropriated in order to build the national park. That was a sobering fact. We loved exploring Cape Breton Highlands National Park but learning that people's land and livelihoods were disrupted is never a good thing. She also explained that because they were French, her family didn't speak the language necessary to understand the consequences of giving up the land.

La Bloc Beach for breakfast

After breakfast we explored the beach. I love looking for sea glass and Parker and Abby worked on making an inukshuk on the deteriorating pier out in the ocean. We then set off for the Skyline Trail. This is one of the most popular hiking trails on Cape Breton due to the amazing cliffside views. Unfortunately some of the trail was closed due to the park's efforts to regenerate some types of vegetation in this area. We were still able to hike to the side of the cliff and take in the gorgeous views. The day was a little cloudy but it was still breathtaking to be at such heights with no barriers keeping you away from the dramatic headland cliff that overlooks the coast. We took a few pictures, had a snack and headed back. On one part of the trail there is a boardwalk. At one point I looked to the end of the boardwalk and saw a hiker wearing an Eastview sweatshirt. I knew for certain that this was going to be someone else that we knew. Sure enough, we met a family from Abby's basketball team. So crazy! Such a coincidence that not only do we meet on Cape Breton Island, but we meet on a hiking trail!

In the town of Cheticamp, I had noticed an interesting looking store where I wanted to stop - Lola's Hookers. It didn't take much convincing once Keith heard the name. Abby and I went in to have a look. I had seem some amazing hooked pieces the last few days and I decided that this is what I wanted to take home as a memory of Cape Breton. The store was bursting with hooked creations. Knowing that the impatient men of the family were waiting, we couldn't linger too long. We stayed long enough to learn that the art of hooking is a dying craft and one artist told us that several of their hookers had passed away just recently, some of them in their 90's. Not many people are taking up the craft due to the hard work and time that it takes. The pieces were absolutely breathtaking. When deciding which piece I was going to purchase, I found a piece that depicted some houses that looked like Jellybean houses from Newfoundland. Last summer, when we visited NL, I had found a painting of Jellybean houses and I didn't buy it and still think about it to this day. I had made my decision. Abby thought it might be fun to try hooking, so we also purchased a small dragonfly kit to see if we can do it. The lovely lady told us all about how to do it as she wrapped up our purchases. As we were leaving she exclaimed to us, 'Happy Hooking!' Thanks! We'll try our best!!!

We saw a moose!

Not sure how you can top hookers, but rounding out the highlights of this day on the Cabot Trail was a moose sighting and a great lunch at the Rusty Anchor restaurant in Pleasant Bay. We felt like we had seen a lot in 2 short days and everyone was satisfied enough to turn Maje around and head for home. It's a little sad to think that next year Parker wants to be working and these summer adventures will now be memories that we will look back upon with fondness. I don't regret a thing when it comes to the purchase of this RV in order to have 2 spectacular cross country adventures with my family. Is it a good idea to force your children into a mobile aluminum can for a month? Probably not, but I can assure you, the memories we have made in Maje will be stories my children will one day tell their children with love in their voices. I know this for sure.

Walk Through her Green Fields, Go Down to the Sea

The pictures we took absolutely do not do the beautiful views justice!

We got up bright and early the next day to head to Cape Breton Island. The kids were still sleeping but I was determined that the World’s Largest Lobster was in this town and we were going to see it before we left. Thanks to all who assured me that yes, it’s in Shediac. When you are trying to conserve your data, you miss being able to Google these things. The kids missed out seeing the lobster, but we got the picture! What a great claim to fame! Onward to Cape Breton!  

We made it to the island and our campsite without any issue - it was another great day weather-wise. We drove to North Sydney to get some groceries. I was trying to remember when my kids last had a piece of fruit, but then I remembered that we had orange juice. Perfect. Maybe some fruit at the grocery store would be a good idea though.

It's maybe hard to believe but I tend to bug Keith about going too fast in Maje or taking the corners on 2 wheels. This afternoon was my time to hear about my driving skills. Maje’s water tank was full of water and I think it’s neat to watch the water fly out of Maje when we turn a corner. I guess I took the corner too fast and things and people shifted in the motorhome, oops! Then we drove down to where the ferry leaves for Newfoundland and I was deep in thought. My mom had told me that when she was little they would travel to Newfoundland every summer to visit family. They would take the train to North Sydney from Toronto, then the ferry to Port aux Basques and then another train to Lewisporte and finally a boat to Moreton’s Harbour. What a trip that would be! Unfortunately, deep in thought, I missed a stop sign and slammed on the breaks almost in the middle of the intersection. Everything in Maje came out of cupboards and our very large water jug flew to the front of the motorhome and emptied all over my feet. I apologized and explained to my family what I had been thinking about – they didn’t think that was a legitimate excuse. Later, in the grocery store, I overheard Abby asking Keith if he was driving back to the campsite. Traitor! I'm the one keeping her safe from scurvy! In a huff, I finished the grocery shopping and went next door to the liquor store to stock up. Keith drove back to the KOA.

Later that night, we mapped out our drive the next day. I had done some research about the best way to see the Cabot Trail and we had some advice from people who had done it before. There are some who say that the best views are seen by driving clockwise around the trail, but just as many people suggest counterclock wise. We decided because we were on the side of the island close to St Ann’s, we’d start there and go counterclock wise on day one. It was a great choice. There are 2 choices on this side of the trail. You can take the Englishtown Ferry for a nominal fee and a short 2 minute ferry ride. Or you can take the longer route through St Ann’s. 

We opted to take the ferry and we stopped for breakfast at the Clucking Hen Café and Bakery. A great choice. Full from breakfast and stocked up with cinnamon buns, tea biscuits and brownies, we made our way up Cape Smokey, the first climb of the day. The sky was a brilliant blue and the views were better with every turn. My research had told me that Black Brook Beach was a good stop for the swimming and good views. As well, there is a fresh waterfall at the one end of the beach. 

Keith had pinkie promised Abby that he would go swimming and in our family, you can’t break a pinkie promise, so bathing suits were donned by 2 family members and we headed down to the beach. It wasn’t a hot day so I opted out of swimming but was enjoying the water at the edge. The waves were huge. I rolled up my leggings and continued on. A few steps down the beach I saw a familiar face coming toward me. What are the chances that you meet a teaching partner on a random beach on Cape Breton Island? Pretty good apparently. It most definitely is a small small world! 

After visiting for a bit, Abby still hadn’t forgotten Keith’s pinkie promise and in they went. We explored the beach some more and the waterfall. All the sand from the waves needed to be washed off before we headed back on the trail. Abby and Keith both had showers in Maje – the joys of travelling in your home!

I’m dedicating this blog post to all the embarrassing (and proud of it) moms out there. My poor kids. A little further down the road, we stopped in a gift shop. Still in my leggings from the beach, I was feeling a little itchy. I had rolled them up when they got wet. When I lifted them to scratch the itch, a pile of sand (literally a pile) fell out onto the floor! Now some people would just move on, but not me. And, it was actually too much sand to ignore. So in an embarrassing mom way, I exclaim: 'Oh, I’ve got sand in my pants!' Of course this was in the front of the entrance and the sales lady. She didn’t seem to mind and went to get her broom (yes, a broom was required). Many apologies and giggles as I try to explain that I had been at the beach and didn’t realize how sandy those waves were! Of course we had to buy something seeing as I just made her sweep her entrance. It was time to leave only after one more apology. I wonder if I was the funny story at that lady’s dinner table that night? It was definitely one of the stories at our lobster supper in Baddeck.