A trip around the Mini-Cabot trail
Trip Start
Jul 07, 2008
1
19
22
Trip End
Aug 09, 2008
Cape George, Nova Scotia, Canada
Friday, August 1, 2008
I did get a new rear tire on Monday, not the brand I wanted but it'll get me back to Ontario next week. The rest of the week has been spent seeing friends: I met up with my friend Dan (friends now for 28 years!) and his lady, Heather, for food, wine and conversation. It was my first time meeting Heather and Dan was quite remiss in conveying just how lovely she is.
The next day was all about riding; I linked up with my buddy Wade (friends for 29 years!!) He rides a very sweet Harley Davidson V-Rod with a Big-Ass rear tire. We hit the Mic Mac tavern for a good breakfast hampered by poor service before heading out for the back roads of Nova Scotia. We shot up the coast to Musquodoboit Harbour before heading inland. We made a few wrong turns (my bad) and ended up on a road we never knew existed but at least it got us to a familiar area with a gas station. We decided to head through the heart of NS toward New Glasgow - again I got us lost and almost onto a nasty looking dirt logging road. I did find the right road but the pavement on this one also ran out. Fortunately the dirt was smooth and well packed so the riding was easy. In fact, when the pavement resumed we were longing for the dirt again since it was in better condition than the asphalt! Did I mention that Nova Scotia has the worst quality roads of anywhere I have ever ridden? No joke...
We got to New Glasgow, and this is where I came the closest to a close-encounter with a car for this trip. I was turning right out of a gas station and 2 good ol' boys across the street decided they were going as well. I managed to stop in time but just...After a coffee to wind down a bit we headed for the destination for this trip - the Sunrise Trail between New Glasgow and Antigonish. It is a beautiful highway which follows the northern coast for about 90km, giving some great cliff-side views of the Northumberland Strait toward Prince Edward Island while passing a few quaint towns and lighthouses. The first cute little town was Arisaig, a small fishing village with a lighthouse turned ice cream shop. We passed Malignant Cove (poor prognosis there) before coming to Cape George and the next lighthouse and spectacular views of the ocean. The route is known as the Mini-Cabot trail and the moniker is apt. We finished the day with a slice of The Wheel pizza (famous in Antigonish) and a fast ride up the highway back home.
Finally, I stopped by my previous workplace to visit my dear friend Jena, another pharmacist and one of the sweetest souls I have ever met. She treated me to a hearty breakfast at Cora's and we got caught up. It's so easy to let months and years slip by...
So that is all for now - I've got more friends to see and places to visit. Until then...
