August 24, 2014 What the Baddeck...

Sunday August 24, 2014

 Training of humans continues.  I usually can get my paternal human to let me out when I run to the door and ME-OWT several times.  I paw at the door.  He takes me out!  I win!

 We did a lot of sitting yesterday, so today we plan on taking a hike.  We first checked out a couple local golf courses.  Tomorrow, we plan on playing Bell Bay.  Or is it Bay Bell... oh well.  It is in the town of Baddeck and overlooks the bay.  Should be quite beautiful.  My back is a little better so hopefully, I won't be writhing in pain.

 The town of Baddeck is quite cute.  It is home to the Alexander Graham Bell museum.  It has a beautiful harbor.  There are actually a few cruising sailboats moored here.  For the most part, we haven't seen a lot of pleasure crafts in the harbor.  There are not a lot here, but they fit in nicely and they do not detract from the charm of the bay.  They have some nice looking restaurants and galleries.  One has a cute kitty - I admit, I cheated on Rudy.  Don't tell him, please!

 

We headed to Baddeck Forks to check out another golf course.  It was a cow pasture, but there was a nice hiking trail nearby.  It took us through the woods along a stream up to a waterfall.  It is interesting to see the roots of birch trees grasping on to boulders.  The trail is soft and lined with ferns.  Spouse is totally mesmerized by the variety of mushrooms.  He wants to learn which ones are edible.  I think he should stick to those that are sold in supermarkets!  The trail was not too strenuous, and Spouse seemed to do ok. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day is still young so we decided to head to Sydney.  It is the third largest city in Nova Scotia with over 30,000 inhabitants.  It is here that you can catch the ferry to Newfoundland.  We thought we would check out the waterfront where the cruise ships come in.  We were surprised with the lack of activity.  We were able to easily find a parking spot.  No cruise ships were in, just a couple of guys fishing for mackerel.  A giant fiddle has been erected to honor the Scottish heritage.  There really isn't much around the waterfront.  Across the street are modest homes with great views.  One block further away, there is actually some commerce, only it is Sunday, and it is a ghost town.  We thought of going to Louisburg, which is a french fort and living museum.  But it is getting late so we decided on the scenic route home along the Bras d'Or lake. 

 

 

 

 

Bras d'Or is a huge lake with lots of islands and inlets.  It would be a great lake for houseboats, but hardly anybody is on the lake.  We did see to sea-doos, but that was about it.  There are homes along the lake but they are small cottages on pretty large lots.  There is no feeling of overcrowding, even in the tiny towns where the homes and business are closer together.  The further we go, the bigger the houses get as well as the size of the properties.  But the houses never get too big.  It is not like they are mansions.  They are just two stories instead of one!