Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Back to the park today.  Drove over to the west side and hiked.

Our first hike was the Skyline Trail - lots of people on the first half of the hike.  We did have some quiet moments.

We did the back loop on the way back and saw fewer people - more peaceful

We were walking along and we did come across this

Continuing back down to the car

Later, we did a short - 3 mile walk

This walk took us past some old homesteads, what was left of them, this was typical, just the remains of the foundation, 11 - 13 people lived in the houses up here.

Tomorrow - we're off to see puffins and check out Bras d'Or Lake, Biospere Reserve (UNESCO)

South Haven, Nova Scotia - Cape Breton National Park

We drove half of the Cabot Trail today, from South Haven to Pleasant Bay and back to South Haven.

We stopped at the Clucking Hen for breakfast - for a bowl of oatmeal and tea and coffee.  We worked up an appetite in the parking lot.

Beautiful drive along the coastal cliffs

We arrived at Pleasant Bay and checked out whale watching tours on a zodiac boat -

Or on the big red boat 

We changed our minds, saved $100, and drove up to visit Gampo Abbey instead.

Walked around the grounds

Walked the trail to the Stupa of Enlightenment

Then a quick picnic lunch and a short hike in the park

Then back to the  motel, we did stop at the Clucking Hen for a bowl of turkey noodle soup on the way back.  

Tomorrow - back to the park and hiking.