Where do I begin? I took so many photos and had so much fun that I can't even think where to start!
We've been planning this awhile, me and my friend Amanda. "Friend" is an understatement. She's like the sister I chose myself. We unfortunately live two hours apart (if you ask her, it's because I'm a "big leaver"), so getting together sometimes takes a little juggling.
The weather did not look promising. Driving there, the rain was coming down hard, and the skies were dark. She texted to tell me it was not raining there, and the closer I got to my destination, the brighter the skies looked.
Until we both left her house and arrived in Louisbourg. We jumped out of the car, and I paused. "What's that noise?"
It was the first drops of rain falling on the car. *expletive*
Turns out, despite getting caught in a bit of rain, the ever-changing weather made for some beautiful skies!
I have so many photos to share. What a beautiful place! As always, I suggest clicking on some of these photos to see them full-size, because it's hard to appreciate the beauty when they're little thumbnails.
As you can see, the umbrella came in mighty handy.
If you've never ventured out on to the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail, I highly recommend it. An easy walk, well maintained, and incredibly beautiful. I lived in Sydney for five years, and though I did go out there once for photos, I didn't do the whole trail.
It was spitting rain and windy when we arrived, and by the time we'd hung around the lighthouse for awhile, the sun came out and there were patches of blue sky. Things looked promising!
"I'm leaving my coat in the car, I don't think I'll need it."
"Yeah, I think I will too."
Silly girls, as if we forgot that we lived in Nova Scotia.
The clouds darkened again, and though I prefer overcast skies when taking photos in the middle of the day, I don't want rain. But rain is what came.
Fortunately, it didn't last long. Just enough for the both of us to shudder at the sight of our hair. FYI, Amanda, a former hairdresser, thinned out my mane the very next day. I still shudder at how big my hair looks in these pictures.
I always go on my little adventures alone. I get in my car, turn on my music and drive. I enjoy the time to myself, but venturing out with someone who enjoys it as much as I do and who loves the ocean and is so much fun, well that's a whole new kind of adventure.
We've been friends since 2002, and could fill a book on our shenanigans and late-night adventures. You know that friend you have that you could convey an emotion or thought with just a single look? That's us. We always say we should have a quote book, because we've got years of them ("FALAFEL!").
I digress. What I'm saying is, get you a friend who will jump in the car with you and sit by the ocean. It's good for the soul.
The thing about going on a little adventure with someone who enjoys it is that you don't feel rushed. You can take your sweet time because when you look over, they will be sitting there taking in the sights, smelling the ocean air, and simply enjoying the moment. Then, you can sit there and enjoy it with them. Also, you have an assistant who will attempt to hold an umbrella in the wind, and snap the photo when the wind is just too much for your tripod and you don't want to risk sending your camera smashing into the rocks or tumbling down into the ocean. It's a win-win situation.
We did visit other places, which I will share, but the Louisbourg trail was just so stunning that I couldn't stop taking photos. The tempermental sky that couldn't make up it's mind, the crashing waves, the rocks and rolling green hills. It felt like I was somewhere in Ireland.
Onward and upward. We visited the beautiful Kennington Cove, a place Amanda has been wanting to show me for ages. The tide was unfortunately in, so I didn't get to see it in it's full glory, but really, tide in or out, we were sitting on a gorgeous beach. I had not a single complaint. She of course had to dip her feet in the ocean, and you can't tell by how calmly she looks to be strolling in, but the water was freezing.
It was a gorgeous day for an adventure. After a couple of quick stops, we made our way back to her house where we curled up on the couch in our jammies with Chinese takeout and wine. A movie on Netflix, followed by what was left of Mean Girls on the telly. And really, if Mean Girls is on, you watch it.
(And none for Gretchen Weiners)
The next day was another adventure. Beaches, sand dollars, a lighthouse and a ditch, but not necessarily in that order. We'll leave you figure out that last one on your own. Par for the course when it's the two of us together.
Cape Breton is a beautiful island, and growing up there, I do believe I took it for granted. I'm a little jealous of those who not only live there, but who can - and do - get out there and enjoy it. There are so many places to explore and see, and it's right in your backyard.
We had so much fun, as we always do. We hope to one day visit part of the Cabot Trail together, among other places. What an adventure that would be!