Broad Cove Campround, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Knowing that we had several days to spend in Cape Breton we definitely took it easy this morning. Reading in the sun, moving kinda slow and figuring out what activities we wanted to do before driving the Cabot Trail was the big activity this morning. My two big goals of the day were to take in a hike and see a moose. I knew we had control over the one, and were hoping for the best with the second. The Skyline Trail hike is supposed to be one of the best in the park so the Skyline it was.
We hiked the Skyline loop which took us about 2 hours. When we started we were the only folks on the trail, but by the time we headed back the trail was well populated.
The trail takes you through the scrubby pines, open wooded forests, wildflower meadows all the while giving you glimpses of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. When we at last reached the coast, we were on a bluff about 1200 feet, and had an incredible view of the Cabot Trail, the Gulf, the village of Chetticamp, and in the distance Prince Edward Island. It took our breath away. It was an incredible place to meditate, relax from the hike and enjoy the 180 degree vista. Definitely one of the best places of our trip so far. (Bubble Pond in Acadia still gets first place).
We decided to take the long way back and do a loop hike. It was rockier and more wide open then the hike to the water. The day was quite warm, for Cape Breton, and we really felt the sun beating down on us. By the time we got back to Winnie we were ready for a picnic.
The next big delight was spotting a moose while driving through the park. We pulled over on the side of the road and watched her eat voraciously, tearing into one tree after another. It was definitely a female (cow). The park literature says "cow moose are most dangerous during calving season - mid-May to the end of June" - so give them a wide berth. No problem there. We did get out and watch her for quite awhile. They are such funny looking odd creatures.
We continued our journey on the Cabot Trail, getting one great vista view after the next until finally reaching North Cape. This "town" or more realistically a restaurant, ice cream place and a few gift shops was note worthy because it officially marks the half way point of our road trip. From this point on we will be looking for all signs South or West and no longer following those North and East. We curved around the Cape and drove along the Atlantic Ocean. This side of the Cape has more beaches and is at sea level.
Tonight we're camped at Broad Cove Campground. It's a huge campground, at least 200 campsites. We opted not to stay with all the RV's on the electrical loop and are rewarded by having this entire remote loop to ourselves. We're in a nicely wooded campground, it's completely quiet and the only sound is nature and the popping of a cork.
