I didn’t realize how BIG Nova Scotia was. It really does take hours to get across, but that didn’t deter us from heading to the northernmost part – Cape Breton. Specifically we wanted to visit the National Park because I had heard such good things!

When We Visited: August 19-21, 2018

Ages of Kids: 12, 10, & 8

Where we stayed: We camped in Cheticamp on the west side of the park. While our friends snagged a site for the whole time, we actually had to move in the middle but it wasn’t crazy. Both sites were unserviced (dry) but the temps were manageable and we did okay. Next time I’d be tempted to stay there for a few days and then tow around and over to Ignogish and park closer to the beach!

The main attraction for this park is driving the Cabot Trail – a beautifully scenic highway that runs the length of the park. We were told we really needed to drive it on a motorcycle, but realistically that just wasn’t going to happen!

Instead of seeing the park piece by piece we determined it would be better to just take off a day of work and spend the whole day exploring! We hadn’t this in a LONG time and although it was a long day we had a blast.

Driving the Cabot Trail

I think most people drive the trail counter-clockwise but since we were already camped on the west side we went the opposite direction. We told the kids we were doing a “10 Hike Challenge” along the way and for the most part everyone stayed enthusiastic. We felt like it was a great way to stop along the way and see various highlights of the park.

“When planning our adventures in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, we decided to take work off and spend the entire day driving & hiking footpaths along the Cabot Trail with our friends @alyssakerickson & @cperickson.

The road winds along the seashore, through the trees and then back to the opposite seashore for 108 km of pretty spectacular scenery.

We haven’t taken an entire day for intense exploring in a long time and it was fabulous. By the end we were exhausted but our adventurous souls were satisfied.” – @currentlywandering

“The shores of Nova Scotia have completely taken me by surprise. This section in particular reminded me of Lake Superior with it’s craggy rocks and blue water. I loved it!

About halfway into our 10 hike challenge, the kids found a burst of energy to scramble up and down to the water and back. Hanging with friends on this trip has been awesome. Outdoor activities always seem to go smoother when the kids (okay adults too) have someone to hang with!” – @currentlywandering

“When we originally planned our route to include Nova Scotia, ‘beach’ was the furthest word from my mind.

Now we can’t get enough.

First we thought we’d just dip our toes in. Then up to our ankles, then a wave came and splashed up to our knees. Before we knew it we were ducking waves and laughing in the salt spray.

Maybe it was a full day of hiking, or maybe the light was just right, or we got lucky with an unseasonably warm summer. Whatever the reason, our evening on Ingonish Beach will forever be a favorite.” – @currentlywandering

By the time we were finished with our dip in the ocean and our last hike, we were pretty starving! The restaurants in town were pretty busy so we found a burger place that was basically fast food. We gobbled them down and then blasted music on the hour and 45 minute drive back to camp. Everyone slept pretty well that night!

Hiking Skyline Trail

We only had one more day in the park, and we knew we wanted to hit the Skyline Trail at sunset. Since the signal in the park wasn’t very good, both dads drove out to town hunting for better coverage. They found it right outside the bakery. Darn.

Alyssa and I managed the kids – we did some smashbooking, passed off their Xplorer books and just basically hung around until dinner time. Then we were off!

It is advised to start the trail about 2 hours before sunset so for us that was 6:30pm. The trail is fairly flat along the top of the ridge but then it opens up into this:

It literally took my breath away. Even though it was an easy 4.5 mile round trip, the Skyline Trail definitely hit my list of all time favorite hikes. Sunset was totally a bonus!

“As we walked past the last line of trees and into the open I involuntarily caught my breath. It really did feel like we could touch the sky.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park turned out to be one of our favorite national parks on either side of the border. There’s just something about those seaside hills rolling down into the ocean that spark my imagination.

I can’t think of a better place @telegramsam and I could have celebrated 15 years of marriage. It’s hard, and it’s work, and sometimes in 188 square feet it gets a little crazy. But as I think back over the last four years of travel and how much we’ve been able to truly start to understand and appreciate each other I wouldn’t change a second of it. Love you babe! 😘” – @currentlywandering

While I’m sure we could have spent much long in the park, not having good signal for work is fairly stressful. I’m so grateful we had as long a we did though – Cape Breton Highlands has turned into one of our favorite National Parks!

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Since signal was not amazing in Cavendish, we left early and drove to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck, NS. While Alyssa and I spent time with kids attending a kite making class and completing their Xplorer books, both dads did a quick perusal of the visitor center and headed back out to the Airstreams to get some long overdue work in.

I thoroughly enjoyed the museum. I knew about the invention of the telephone (kind of ) but Alec (as he was nicknamed) also had an interest in kites, flying airplanes, and hydrofoils. Apparently they vacationed enough in Cape Breton, that eventually the family just bought property in Baddeck and moved up there.

I love when we visit and place and that encourages us to want to know MORE.