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| Leaves were just starting to turn |
Cape Breton is a very rural island of small communities dating back 250 years to the first European settlers who seemed to move in and stay. The southern part of the island is Celtic and signs are in English and Gaelic. This is the home of the Gaelic College, nightly ceilidhs (kay lees) of gaelic music and dance, of Catholic churches on the verge of closing as the younger generation is not staying, of handcrafts being done by the young 50 year olds. Tourism is the economy and the community is holding on to that thread.
The people we met were welcoming and warm. We had all been through the hurricane and the schools were to be closed for a week while power in this more remote area would be the last to come back.
The southwestern side of CBI is where mom's dad's family is from, and where grandpa Gus was born. The towns of Judique (where he was born), Creignish, Centennial (named by gr gr grandpa), Mabou (where gr gr gr grandparents were married). Seems we are tied to this community as stated by the museum curator!
There does not seem to be much wealth in this part of the island, and the handicrafts reflect the simple arts where necessary items are embellished. Weaving, rug hooking, knitting and baking reflect the community. These items all made at home and sold in shops mostly to tourists.
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| always views |
Our sites were on hiking, despite the weather. This proved to be somewhat successful as we compromised our plans when we considered safety....something you do when you are old!
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| Got my lobster in Cheticamp!! |
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| local distillery - we did tour. Whisky is too pricey for us! |
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| seems a strong marketing pitch |
These are only a few of the signs that caught my eye. Love the simplicity of communication here.
There were many hand made signs outside of homes where people ran their business - hairdresser, quilt maker, wood carver, knitter, etc.
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| opportunist: maid, seamstress and rental |
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| clearly describes what this is! |
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| I am told that deer dont actually register |
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| Surveying Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River...Whew! |
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| Beautiful Margaree Valley - mostly Acadian, not Celtic! |
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From the Judique/Pt Hood area we took a number of drives - Distillery, Maragree Valley, Baddeck and the nearby Alexander Graham Bell Museum since he lived in Baddeck. Museum had many of his inventions, most of which I'd never realized.
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| AGB's home - his descendants live there, so no tours. |
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| Beautiful views from museum. I never know AGB devoted his life to helping the deaf. He met his deaf wife this way. |
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| Found a wonderful brewery along the way |
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