Kathleen and Alfred, with whom we spent two enjoyable nights, were the most amazing hosts. Upon arriving, Penny and I sat out on their porch watching the six resident hummingbirds buzz around us. The next morning we weren’t moving too quickly and sat in their gazebo reading and relaxing. They joined us a bit later asking if we’d like to have dinner at the Markland Lodge. They said they’d drive us and pick us up after. We made a reservation.
Our day-off activity was a visit to the St. Paul Island museum. Fascinating! It was all about the harshness of the environment and the life of the lighthouse keepers. The island itself has very little vegetation and no wildlife. There are a reported 350 shipwrecks in the vicinity. Met three young women from Maryland at the lighthouse. You can read more here.
After getting lost on some obscure trails, we returned to the B&B to get ready for dinner. Kathleen met us in the living room and asked if I had a valid driver’s licence. Off to dinner in their car promising we’d be home before midnight🙂.
Great dinner, live music, good coffee and topped off with a quiet walk along the beach. We really couldn’t ask for a better stay. More Cape Breton hospitality.
Off to the Keltic Lodge
It’s raining through breakfast, something we planned for at some point on the trip. Say our goodbyes and we’re off — no rain! We turn on to the coastal road and start on a rolling road along the ocean. The first major climb takes us up to this great view:
Minutes later I hear a shriek and Penny’s fallen. There was a problem with her gears and she’s come away with a bloody knee and scraped elbow. She cleans up the wounds and I fix her transmission and we’re off, a bit worse for wear. We head into a good rain shower so a stop at this lighthouse for a cup of coffee does the trick to warm up:
The skies look threatening but we press on. Then they open up into a torrential downpour so we duck into a medical building and wait it out on their porch.
From this beautiful lookout to Ingonish was a very wet ride! Thankfully, we encountered the Salty Run Café and after a pot of tea and two coffees for me we warmed up and pressed on to the Lodge (definitely a warm beverage type day). Our first impression: the Lodge is very dated.
Ran into four cyclists from Washington DC on our way for a drink. They had started in Pleasant Bay and were tired and hungry.
Really enjoying your updates! You two are awesome.
Love reading about your adventure guys!!! Keep it coming!
Hi Beth! Glad you’re enjoying it. We’re just packing up for ride day number four
We drove out east for our honeymoon 28 yrs ago. Baddeck was one of our stops. We did s bed and breakfast there for a few nights. I remember we went to the legion there for an all you can eat crab legs and clam chowder. It was awesome!!! We did the Cabot train on 4 wheels not two like you guys!
I loved Baddeck, went there with the Windsor group to golf and then Penny and I had nice meal on their dock. Did you play Chase the Ace at the Legion? Seemed to be the big thing at all the Legions we passed
Don’t remember anything about chase the ace! Card game I assume.
Assume so, with big jackpots too!
That comment got sent before I was done typing!!! Lol
Don’t forget, we were on our honeymoon, we weren’t playing cards with the legion members😜
Sorry to hear about the banged up knee! Glad to hear that the rain did not hold you back.
We were like two drowned rats when we arrived in Ingonish. Nothing a good cup of coffee and date squares couldn’t cure