We Travel On...

View from Battery Provincial Park, Cape Breton

We arrived at the wildlife refuge outside of Shubenacadie this morning, expecting that it would be something like Custer State Park in South Dakota.  Upon our arrival, however, we discovered that it was more like a zoo or a wildlife rehabilitation center, harboring animals native to Nova Scotia that were no longer able to live in the wild.  We turned around and headed toward Cape Breton.

Cape Breton is an island in the northeastern part of Nova Scotia.  It is attached to the main island by a causeway.  Vessels cross through the causeway by a series of locks.

After a stop at the visitor’s center, we determined to head due east to Battery Provincial Park, overlooking Bras d’Or Lake on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.  Once a major transportation center, the lovely little town of St. Peter is set on a historic canal bridging the lake and ocean.

Lighthouse at Battery Provincial Park, Cape Breton

We arrived late in the evening and set up camp.  We had just finished washing up after supper when the rainstorm hit.  All night, the camper rocked back and forth in a torrential storm.  Rain drummed against the roof and spit through even the tiniest crack in the windows.  After a stuffy night of sleeping, we awoke to bright sunshine this morning and the driest day we have had in weeks.  With everything smelling slightly dank and musty, it is good to be able to air out.

With locals assuring us that the Louisbourg National Historic Site wasn’t much to see, we drove along the Bras d’Or Lake, taking in the views.

Overlook on Bras d'Or Lake, Cape Breton

Tomorrow we travel up to Cape Breton Highlands National Park.   I admit that I am still wanting to photograph animals (although I have definitely changed my expectation of size!).  The lady at the visitor’s center assured us that we would most assuredly have the opportunity to see more sandpipers, moose, possibly whales, and, perhaps, even a few straggling puffins.  On we go!!!