The Great Canadian (and Northern Tier U.S.) Adventure: October 16

We drive the causeway across Chedabucto Bay to Cape Breton Island. The sky threatens rain, but we persevere.

Bordering the Atlantic Ocean The Cape Breton Highlands is known for their spectacular highlands, steep cliffs and rugged ocean views.

We follow the Celidh, (pronounced Kaylee), Coastal Trail which blends into the Cabot Trail north to the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton National Park.

Along the way we stop at The Nest, a small boutique filled with unusual treasures. The owner sits in a rocker behind the counter with her cat on her lap. She winters in the US and would like to become a Canadian citizen, but she thinks she’s waited too long to apply and may be turned down because of her age.

We find a café selling cinnamon rolls made from biscuit dough. Quite tasty. They have a freezer filled with homemade “to go” meals, but we have no need.

We drive through a sea of colors, wave upon wave of undulating autumn tones with the sea as a backdrop.

Our goal is the Skyline Trail. It’s a 5.7 mile loop. The parking lot is huge, offering an astonishing number of parking spots with a separate area for RVs. It’s mostly empty at this time of year, but conveys the crush of summer crowds and popularity of this hike. The fog is thick when we arrive and a couple from Idaho tells us the view is non-existent. We’ve come so far we decide to walk a ways.

The trail starts out flat and forested. Cages have been erected around some areas of brush and trees. We have to open gates to enter and exit. They are meant to protect the foliage from being decimated by grazing moose in the area.

As we walk, the fog thins and the sky brightens. “Thank you,” hiking gods. We come out into the open at the top of a dramatic headland cliff overlooking the rugged Cape Breton coast. It’s breathtakingly beautiful with stunning views. Hundreds of stairs lead to the cliff edge. We revel in the moment while the wind whips around us. It’s glorious and worth every moment of the two hour round trip walk.