David and Michelle's Cape Breton Home

Before David took us out to see his property, we went to Mabou to eat at the Red Shoe Pub. This pub is operated by three of the Rankin sisters. Throughout the summer and fall months, the pub offers a daily menu of fine music, including a fiddlers' matinee every Sunday afternoon. While we were there, David noticed Mitch MacDonald at the bar. Mitch was the runner-up in last year's Canadian Idol competition. Apparently Mitch used to babysit Michellie. He came over to our table and David introduced us to him. I even got a hug! Oh yes and the food was absolutely delicious!


The view looking down David's driveway

David and Michelle's house used to be the manse for the Mabou United Church. There is a very good chance that Uncle Lloyd stayed here while on a student rotation. What a coincidence!!

This is the camp that David also owns and that they are presently living in while substantial work is being done on the other house. Cute!


While visiting with David, we stayed in Port Hood at the Sunset Sands RV Park. Not much of a park but we did have electricity, water and sewer hook-ups. The park is run by the town and is right next to the ocean. Not many other campers there so we had a nice quiet night!


This is the view from the campground.


Boat at the dock


Beside the RV park sits the Al MacInnis arena. Anyone who follows hockey will recognize the name Al MacInnis. He played for the St. Louis Blues and earned a Stanley Cup ring with the Calgary Flames. Beside the arena is a huge open area with a bandshell. For those of you who watched Canadian Idol last year, this is the bandshell where multitudes of Port Hooders welcomed home their home town idol, Mitch MacDonald. On the other side of the arena is a brand new outdoor swimming pool which was to be officially opened a couple of days after our departure. Festivities were to include a lobster BBQ and no doubt some down east music!!

I very much enjoyed our short stay on Cape Breton Island. The Ceilidhs are very entertaining and sure to get one's toes tapping. David says that next time, we have to go to the Glencoe Mills Family Square Dance!
The people are so laid back and even shy. The scenery is breath-taking. We only saw about 1/3 of the Cabot Trail. The Margaree Valley and River beg for more exploring. I would love to wet a line in the Margaree. I think we need to re-visit Cape Breton and stay longer. While we are at it, we can visit PEI which we unfortunately did not have time for this year.