Parts Unknown – Day 2

Cape Breton can’t be explored in a single day.  You don’t want to miss anything, and there’s so much to see! Join us for our second day of exploring!

Our first day filled with unexpected pit stops, fun and beautiful vistas, which you can read about HERE. When we headed to Cape Breton, we didn’t intend to do any hiking.  The stroll we took at Cape Smokey didn’t really count and we passed trailhead after trailhead throughout the Highlands National Park.  The Skyline Trail was calling my name so loudly, I managed to convince everyone we could do it and that it would be fun, too. It has been on my bucketlist for so long.

So after a tasty breakfast, and good restaurant coffee, we headed down the road to the Skyline Trail. Now, I’d like to pause here to say again we hadn’t planned on doing this hike.  So, we aren’t dressed in typical hiking gear.  And the majority of the other hikers look a little more prepared than us….but whatever….we headed out.  Michael wore my MEC bag so I could carry just my camera to take pictures, Lena had a backpack on and Hannah carried a doll the entire way.  When I see the following post floating around social media, I think, yep, that’s us…minus the crocs but that’s a whole other post 😉 { I pulled this image from Pinterest, but clearly credit goes to Jack Boot on Twitter }

 

Guys, if you have the chance to hike the Skyline Trail, do it.  The views at the end of the hike are amazing.  AMAZING! Quintessential Cape Breton vistas.  You can see out to sea, the twisting Cabot Trail and the valleys and peaks of the highlands.  And, if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll see a moose.  We didn’t, whomp whomp, but they are doing some interesting studies in that area about the impact of the moose on the landscape.

The handsome Mr. Byrne ventured further than the rest of us.  That tiny dark speck out at the end of the trail is him.  I can just imagine the views he had waaaaaay out there….I’m not sure I could handle it, I’m getting more cautious in my old age, lol!

When you are that high on the edge of the ocean, it’s a mite bit windy….

After our hike, we headed to Janice’s for a tasty lunch with her family and Barbara’s crew.  I love being welcomed no matter what time of day or who’s in the car.  That’s what true friendship is, right? Coffee, dessert, hugs and good conversation.  It was the perfect homey break in our getaway.

Our plan was to head for home after our visit at Janice’s.  But the girls wanted to go to the beach.  That was one request they made.  So we swung into the beach at Port Hood for a walk in the sand and a little wade in the water.

And this girl left a note or two on the beach….sound advice, eh?

Cape Breton remains a favourite of mine.  It never gets old.  I’ll never tire of driving up and exploring, or of not exploring and sitting at the table of my friends.

To be continued,

Lori