Day 21 - Cabot Trail... the East Side - Mon, July 8

Today we wanted to do the part of the Cabot Trail we missed seeing yesterday because it was dark. We made a picnic lunch to eat on the way and loved the picnic spot we found at the top of Smokey Mountain.

Smokey Mountain Ski Area

 Our picnic spot - top of Smokey Mountain

After driving a short while we found a 10 minute hike to walk on some rocks. The rocks were so colourful, we couldn't resist talking several pictures. The kids would love this… actually we love this! 

 Such amazing granite mixed with feldspar and quartz!

Loving it!!!

Once we went to the halfway part of the Cabot trail we started making our way back. 

 In Cape Breton, most signs are bilingual (Gaelic)

 White Point

We were getting tired of being in the car, but wanted to make our way before dark and still get in a bike ride.  By now, I was falling asleep.

  We stopped to see some falls. 

Then, deciding I was much too tired to ride, I opted to stay and do some reading while Robert went for his ride.  It was an 17 km ride on the Branch Pond Lookoff trail, described as "A steady climb through Acadian and Boreal forests to plateau barrens and panoramic view of ocean. Rough sections". Robert agreed that it was mostly climbing and there were boggy spots, so I was happy with my decision.

 "Pygmy forest" as Robert called it...

 Such varied forest on this bike ride!

 At the Branch Pond

Ocean views to top it off!

Driving back down Smokey Mountain is a fun snaking road that Robert wanted to videotape. Check out the 1 min 30 sec video below…

Got back to trailer, made some delicious moose burgers with the ground moose Marcel Perron had given us. Merci Marcel!! Topped it off with the last of the "tarte au sucre" that Lise's friend had made… Pretty much a perfect meal if you ask me!