Thursday, 12 September 2013

Skyline Hike

Cape Breton Highlands National Park


Pillar Rock, just inside the park


The coastline at Cap Rouge


Betty on the beginning of Skyline


The Cabot Trail from Skyline


We had lunch near the end.  It was very windy.


The boardwalk down to the end of the point.


View of the Gulf of St. Lawrence from Skyline, close to the end.


Skyline trail with the Cabot Trail in the background.


Lone Shieling - a replica of a Scottish crofter's hut.


Pleasant Bay from the Cabot Trail

Saturday, 7 September 2013

The Dock Comes Out of the Water

Well, Summer is almost over so it is time to pull the floating dock ashore.



We used the car to pull the first dock out on the same rollers that we used to launch.




After the first one was out we hooked on to the second


The tow line had to pass through the first dock

Soon we had them both high and dry (well sort of)


We used the lawn tractor to move the docks into final position

We were lucky to have an experienced driver



And, with the fixed section high and dry, we are done.

Sunday, 1 September 2013

Arthur Hikes to Uisge Ban Falls

Arthur had always wanted to visit Uisge Ban Falls near Baddeck.  Uisge Ban means "white water" in Gaelic so it really sounded like something Arthur would like to see.  Arthur decided that today was the day.  He was going to hike to Uisge Ban Falls with a group of friends.


Arthur had heard that the trail was short but wanted to make sure he didn't get lost so he studied the trail map carefully at home on Spruce Point before heading out for the hike.


Since William was not there to lead the way, Arthur went up the trail first.  He was hiking very fast and often had to stop to wait for the other hikers.


While he waited he had a chance to rest and enjoy the woods with the sun shining through the tall trees and birds singing in the forest.


Along the trail there were benches where the hikers could sit, rest and enjoy the forest.


Eventually, the hikers came to a bridge.  The rest of the hikers thought they should follow the trail across the stream.  Arthur looked carefully at his trail map and said "NO,  this is the wrong way".


"This is the bridge to the falls," Arthur said. "It is the one on my map".


So, they hiked on, stopping every so often to enjoy the view (and get a short rest).


Finally Arthur said, "We are here, this is Uisge Ban Falls".  All the hikers thought it was a beautiful sight and well worth the hike.


Arthur pointed to the upper falls, which were very high up and seemed to be falling through the forest.


The upper falls were a spectacular sight


and so were the lower falls.

The hikers sat and enjoyed the view of the falls and the sound of
water crashing on the rocks below.  After a while they hiked back down the trail and drove home.
Thanks to Arthur, they saw the Falls and did not get lost along the way.


Arthur was very tired after the hike.  When he got home to Spruce Point he had a big dinner and went to bed early.  That night he dreamed of his big adventure on the hike to Uisge Ban Falls.