Saturday, September 8, 2018 (Arm of Gold Campground, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia)

We were up and out by 7:20 this morning...anxious to hike the Skyline Trail. But first we needed coffee and breakfast. We had asked our server in the pub last night and there aren't many places open for breakfast...basically one in each direction from where we were staying. Since we were heading about 25 minutes back up the Cabot Trail, we chose the one in that direction. The Happy Clam Cafe and Grill is an order at the front counter and they will bring it to you type of place...first disappointment, I prefer sitting down and perusing a menu and being waited on. We both ordered the standard eggs with your choice of meat, and hashbrowns. When the meal arrived, let's just say it left a lot to be desired. Oh well...at least we have some food in our bellies and we're ready for a good hike!

Looks like a nice day for a hike!

Back up we go!

But first we have to go down...

We were one of the first few cars at the trailhead when we arrived...it was about 8:40 when we hit the trail. We decided to do the entire loop trail...although the length posted on the website says 5.1 miles/8.2 kms, by the time all was said and done, my tracker said we had done 5.7 miles/9.2 kms.

A Cape Breton Highlands National Park information trailer...it wasn't open...

The trail started off nice and smooth...

There are a number of rest/view points off the main trail...

No longer a manicured trail...

Still no whales...must be the wrong time of year...

This little Woodpecker came by to check us out......

A good part of the trail was pretty "rooty"...

This is the info platform at the start of the boardwalk down to the viewpoints...

Wow...

As you can see, the boardwalk goes considerably further down to more viewpoints, and a trail beyond that, however this is as far as we went...don't really want to push my knees with all those stairs....

Love this selfie! Look at that view with the highway behind us! (Why are selfies always backwards?)

That's the direction we came from yesterday...

The way back...wouldn't recommend a large RV on the Cabot Trail...

Moose Exclosure
This exclosure keeps moose out so recently planted tree seedlings can grow. We  invite you to pass through the gate, explore the site, and continue n to enjoy the Skyline Trails.
A lookout tower within the Moose Exclosure...

With great views....

Leaving the exclosure...

This was a smaller, fenced-in area to keep the moose out...

Moose, Keep Out!
This exclosure was erected in the fall of 2017 as part of a ten-year study to monitor forest regrowth in the absence of moose. Moose cannot enter but smaller creatures are free to come and go.

A Moose's Dream
Insect infestations are a normal part of life in the boreal forest. Tree-eating insects create gaps in the forest for new, sun-loving plants to grow. In the 1970s, a massive spruce budworm outbreak cleared most of this mature balsam fir forest and white birth grew in its place. With this abundance of their favourite food, moose thrived - eating the young trees and halting regrowth of the forest.

As a side note, I found this news headline dated October 7, 2018...The Skyline Trail at the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is temporarily closed because of "aggressive moose behaviour," says Parks Canada. 
(The rut is on!)

We were told so many times from folks we met that we would definitely see lots of moose on the trail...nope, we didn't!

We were back at the car just before 11:00 and the parking lot was packed...obviously a very popular spot! And we can see why...wow, what a fabulous hike!

That's where we were...you can see people along the skyline...

You can hike to the edge of that peak...

We stopped at a lookout to take a look...what spectacular views!

They will never know the beauty of this place, see the seasons change, enjoy nature's chorus. All we enjoy we owe to them, men and women who lie buried in the earth of foreign lands and in the seven seas. Dedicated to the memory of Canadians who dies overseas in the service of their country and so preserved our heritage. 



The road ahead...

Cheticamp in the distance...

Looking back...

We turned onto the road below...

La Bloc
With its rocky cliffs and jagged shoreline, this area doesn't look like an ideal spot for a fishing village. Yet over thirty French families once lived here and made their living from the sea. They even had a cannery. Colourful panels depict the history of the area as you enjoy the great ocean views. It is also a picnic area, so pack a lunch and linger awhile.

Lots of stacked balanced rocks along here...

Mouth of the Cheticamp River...

Petit Etang Beach...

After a stop in Cheticamp to double-check the map, we continued along the Cabot Trail...

At Margaree Harbour, we went off the Cabot Trail, going further along the coast. The owner of the campground we're at suggested we drive further down the coast to Inverness...making a bigger loop.

There is a cemetery on the upper left...

We had a place picked out for lunch in Inverness (using Trip Advisor) but when we couldn't find it, we found out on Google Maps that the place had been closed permanently...sheesh! We ended up at Westside Cookhouse...it was okay but not what we had wanted.



After lunch, we stopped for gas and then continued, taking a back road around Lake Ainslie.

Lake Ainslie....

We eventually made it over to highway 105, the main highway we had taken to the campground.

Seal Island Bridge to Boularderie Island and our campground...

And home! That's our rig way in the back with the flag...

It was shortly after 4:00 when we arrived home...what a spectacular 2 days we had! So much beautiful scenery!