Cape Breton - day 2

Today we drove the Cabot Trail going up the east side and back down the west side.

We barely got started along the trail when we ran into construction.  We waited about ten minutes before a pilot truck came to guide us through.

The next obstacle came shortly after.

From there the Honda bounced along the rough road and we saw trees, trees, trees, craft shops (pottery, leather, glass, quilts, art, jewellery and every sort of gift), cemeteries and occasionaly a glimpse of the ocean.  The road did improve after North Shore and was good all the rest of the way.

Cape Smokey Ahead

Coming down the west side we saw much more of the ocean.

Aspey Fault

The trees were mostly green but every once in a while there was a bit of colour warning that autumn is on the way.

The following pictures were taken in Baddeck after our drive.

Cape Breton - Day 1

Since the Temple is now closed for ten days, we are on vacation.  We left Dartmouth sometime after 9 a.m. this morning.  As we crossed the Canso Causeway, I thought of the book called "No Great Mischief" by Alistair MacLeod.  I must read it once more when we get back home to Lethbridge.

 The Causeway from the Cape Breton Side

 Bridge over the Canso Canal

We arrived at Baddeck about 1:00 p.m. after stopping for lunch at the "Herring Choker" which was billed as the best place for lunch in the Baddeck area  (It was about 10 miles from Baddeck on the way into town.) and it lived up to its billing.

 View from the Herring Choker looking across Lake Bras D'Or

We spent a couple of hours at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.  It was very interesting and the grounds were beautiful.  We would have liked to see his twenty-eight room mansion, but the family still uses it for a summer home and it is across the lake from the museum.

Alexander Graham Bell was very much into tetrahedron building.  Here is one of the shelters that he used.

Our hotel was advertised as every room having a view of the lake.  Following is the view of the lake from our room - taken through a screen.

 We walked main street after we went to the museum.

Note - I neglected to bring the cord to download from Bob's camera, so will post some of his pictures when we get back to Dartmouth.

Paddling Nationals Again

Orson left on Monday morning.  We have been very lonely since.

On Monday and Tuesday Bob and I were at the temple helping with the cleaning.  Bob went back on Wednesday and Thursday, but I stayed home.

Friday we inspected missionary apartments both in Dartmouth and Sackville.  We have one more to do before we go back to Alberta.

This past week Bob visited the Dr. twice and also had a cat scan and it appears he has no serious problems.

The newspaper "SNAP Dartmouth" had a couple of articles about the canoe kayak nationals. Here is our favourite.

Sprint Canoe Kayak Nationals

Today we went to Lake Banook to watch our favorite paddler in the midget war canoe qualifying event.  They ended up fourth overall (third in their heat) and will be in the finals on Saturday.

 

Judges Stand (judges are sitting on the stairs)

Getting Ready

Finish Line

A Bit Disappointed?

While we were walking from the parking lot we came across some signs in Chinese.  We have no idea what they are about.

The top character is 2 and the bottom is mountain.

The top character is water and the bottom is mountain.  Anyone recognize the others?

Shubenacadie Lake (commonly known as Grand Lake)

Last evening we were invited out to Grand Lake for supper and a boat ride.  We had the main course in the house and then ate dessert while on a boat ride up and down the lake.  It was a beautiful evening.

Sigh, Weep, Bawl, Sob

Yesterday we spent our last afternoon and evening with Nathan and family in Nova Scotia .  They left to return to Calgary this morning.  Tuesday and Wednesday (7th and 8th August) their house got packed up and the moving van was loaded.  We had the boys here while they packed and Wednesday evening all but Nathan and Liam slept over here.  Thursday they all (except Orson) went to the Residence Marriott in Halifax.  Saturday evening there was a good-bye social at the church as several families are leaving.  (It was also a welcome social for the families that are moving in.)

Sunday Nathan was released as Bishop. 

They were in and out this Monday and Tuesday.  Now they are gone.

Good-Bye Picture

We are certainly going to miss them.  We saw them several times a week for the last 21 months and spent time with them several days every week.

On the bright side when we get back to Alberta in October we will be only two hours away from them and from two of our other sons and families and only 30 minutes away from our daughter and family.

Also Orson didn't return to Alberta with his family.  He will be staying with us until the end of the month so he can compete in the National Paddling Competition with his was canoe team.

One Last Weiner Roast; One Last Natal Day Race

July was very hot and dry and there was a fire ban for the whole area.  August has been rainy and the ban was lifted on August 3rd, so we had one last weiner roast before Nathan and family heads west.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

The106th Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race was held at 8:15 this morning (August 6th).  There was a 2 mile and a 6 mile race.  The weather: Overcast, Foggy, 24 Degrees.  Nathan and Orson ran in the 6 mile.

 Start of the Race - Over One Thousand Runners

 Nathan - Start of the Second Lap

 Orson - Start of the Third Lap

 Nathan Start of the Third Lap

 Finish Line - Orson 67th - 42 minutes and 18 seconds

(9th in the 20 and under category)

 Finish Line - Nathan 197th - 52 minutes 7 seconds

After the Race