Cape Breton

June 23rd, 2007

Rained again last night… are you starting to see a pattern here?  My tent is never going dry out.

I left Sherbrooke in the morning planning to head to Sydney.  I put on my Canadian Summer riding gear: long johns, sweater, riding gear, wet-weather gear and water-proof insulated gloves — i was going to be prepared today.   It was a nice ride up to Antigonish.  I don’t mind riding in the rain.  As long as you’re prepared, it can be kind of nice — relaxing.  I fueled up in Antigonish and talked for a while to the guy running the store — the people up here are really incredible — very friendly and helpful.  I never got his name, but i learned 3 things from him:  1) He suggested that I stay in Baddeck (on the shores of the St. Andrews channel and Bras d’Or Lakes) — 2) he led me to a great breakfast stop that i would have missed and 3) that the Christmas trees at my local Home Depot in southern NH are delivered by him from Antigonish, NS — pretty neat…

 

Over breakfast,  a guy walked over to my table, sat down and handed me his card.  Bernie Falkenham, Ambassador for BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.  Bernie was just finishing up having breakfast with his son and saw me roll in.  He rides all over the place on his K series beemer and offered a wealth of information about the area…. and outside the area as well.  You’re never short for friendlyconversation up here.  It’s really wonderful.

 

I made it up to Baddeck by around noon time — I’ll be checking into a motel today.  The sun came out the day just turned out beautiful.  Baddeck was the Canadian residence for Alexander Graham Bell and there is a museum right in town with exhibits of his life and experiments on Bras d’Or Lake.  It was a nice lazy day.

 Tomorrow i’ll be riding the Cabot Trail.  I can’t wait!