Cape Breton Island - Part 4

Monday – October 1 - Today we left the Mira River Provincial Park and drove about 2 hours to Battery Provincial Park.  It was named Battery because it was a support site to the Fortress at Louisbourg and was transferred between the French and the English a couple of times in the 1700's.  

It's next to the St Peters Canal which separates St Peters Bay and the Bras d'Or Lake.  In the 1700's, they would portage boats between the lake and the bay over this narrow strip of land.  The Canal was completed in 1867.  We learned that it is unusual that it connects a lake that is relatively constant level with a bay that is affected by the Tides.  Depending on the point in the tide cycle, the water on the Lake side may be higher or the water on the Bay side may be higher.  

 

Standing at the middle of the canal and looking to the left and then to the right.

 

When you arrive at the canal by boat, you are greeted by this lovely banner 

and a high tech communication device to contact the lockmaster.

The road bridge crosses the canal and was replaced just last year.  Since the canal 

is sometimes used by sailboats with tall masts, the bridge needs to be able 

to move out of the way.  It spins in the middle on these wheels.  

It hardly seems possible that all that weight can rest on such little surface.

When Mom and Dad got back from looking at the canal, we all went outside.  I took a look under the picnic table (first place I look, after the fire pit).  I think Battery Provincial Park is THE BEST place we've stayed.  Our campsite came with a free bone!!!!

At first I was a little stunned and all I could do was admire 

it and marvel at my good fortune.

Then, bliss!

Followed by a beautiful sunset over St Peters Bay (view from our campsite).

Tuesday – October 2 - Dad needed to do some work for a client and needed Internet access.  We don't have Internet access at our campsite, so he and Mom went into town to the Visitor Information Center.  Travel Tip - There is a Visitor Information Center in most towns in Atlantic Canada and they have free wi-fi.   

After Dad finished with his work, they went for a drive on Isle Madame.  The lady at the Visitor Information said it's as close to being in Newfoundland as you can get in Nova Scotia.  Since Mom and Dad didn't make it to Newfoundland, so they decided to check it out.

They decided that if Newfoundland looks like this, they may need to put it on the bucket list.

Wednesday – October 3 - After 12 days on Cape Breton Island, we crossed back on to the mainland of Nova Scotia and continued on to Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.  It was a rainy gray day, so this is the only picture that we took.

Welcome to New Brunswick!!

I'll tell you about New Brunswick next time.

Love,

Doolin!