Mandy’s Visit to Lynn’s Craft Shop & Art Gallery

So we were on our way through Ingonish when we noticed this sign and we knew we just had to stop ….

I wonder what they have to offer…  Boy were we surprised… They have something for everyone here!!! They have pottery, wood turnings, iron work, knitted accessories, soaps and preserves.. just to name a few. Along with these great handcrafts, they have beautiful oil and watercolour paintings by well known Nova Scotia artist Christopher Gorey.

just look at what they have to offer...

They have lots of wonderful paintings and books here

they have something for everyone

In addition these wonderful items, they now offer a variety of musical instruments and accessories and many Maritime titles and children books as well…. One stop shopping I say.

This shop has been owned and operated by Lynn and Christopher  Gorey since 1979 and they make you feel right at home when you stop in, no wonder they have been in business for so long.

The owners ~ Lynn and Christopher

So remember the next time you are in Ingonish don’t forget to stop in and say hello… if you are anything like me, you will not leave empty handed!! 😀

Hilda is on the top of the World!

I see the world beneath my wings, amazing.

Thanksgiving weekend arrives in Cape Breton. It arrives after a storm that about blew everyone off the Island. But oh, what a weekend. It was amazing. The air is crisp and fresh and the colours are coming through.

This calls for a drive to Cape Clear. Anyone who visits Cape Breton will realize that the utmost place to drive is out to the top of the Highlands. The drive in itself, is wonderful. You will see trees and where our men once cut, with power saw in hand, all our trees to maintain a way of life.

The view at the top of Cape Clear is astounding. You will see the Margaree River far below. I really suggest if you have the time, talk to a local and find your way to the top of this beautiful paradise.

The road to the top of the World!This is the life: fresh air, mountains and river below.This is freedom.

That is the Margaree River

Mandy Travels Through Time

The Map of the Highland Village

Above is a map of the Highland Village in Iona which you can use to help find your way around the site. You start off in the 1770’s Highlands of Scotland and you’ll end up traveling through time to the 1920’s in Nova Scotia.   Below are some pictures of some of the places you will see along the tour.  The view from here is amazing!! The tour itself takes about an hour and a half to two hours.

An Taigh Dubh ~ Blackhouse 1770s-180s

An Taigh Logiachean ~ Log Cabin 1770s-1850s

An Eaglais ~ Church 1850s-1880s

A' Cheardach ~ Forge 1880s-1920s

Taigh Tus na Ficheadamh Lin ~ Turning of the Century House 1880s-1920s

Today, Gaelic is evident in our communities and a defining component of our cultural identity. You will find signs all over the Island written in English and Gaelic.

Philippa’s Day at Glenora Distillery

Glenora Distillery is located in Glenville Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Glenora produces North America’s first and Canada’s only single malt whisky.

It’s like heading into another world when you leave the dirt road and gravel parking lot and enter into their beautiful courtyard! A secret garden of sorts, where the flowers and trees flourish from the same waters they use to make their famous whisky!

The tour is short and sweet but definitely a must do! They take you through the mash house and you can see right into the barrels where the whisky is made! Although they make the whisky during the winter they still take you through each process as if they were making it that day!

They even give you a little taste at the end!! 😉

Mandy’s Glass Blowing Experience

So I had  Sunday off and you know what that means….. ROAD TRIP!!!  I grabbed my family and off we went…. Where should we go?? Let’s explore St. Ann’s Artisans loop? Oh yes please!!  What a beautiful spot. We toured along St. Ann’s and headed up towards North Shore.  We stopped in at the Glass Artisans Studio & Gallery (which is a must!)

While we were here, we were able to see one of the glass blowing demos….wow is all I have to say!! We got to watch Curtis Dionne do his thing…. amazing, the talent!!

Curtis Dionne doing his magic

I did not understand the time it takes to make just one piece of art.  The process takes time and is very hot… take a look at what he has to stand infront of all day…

it's getting hot in here....

This guy is amazing!! Here is more of what he does….

Curtis blowing out his glass creation

amazing!!!

Curtis adding some color

Watching this being made was the highlight of our day…. I loved watching it just as much as the kids did. When he finished the …… wait now, I can not spoil the end result for you….. in order to see the finished product, and view many more examples, you have to come and visit us on beautiful Cape Breton Island and head on down to Glass Artisans Studio!! You will be ‘blown’ away by what you see…. ;D

Philippa’s Visit with Alexander Graham Bell!

One day sunny morning here in Baddeck  I decided to stop in at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Just a short drive from the Silver Dart Lodge, the museum sits up on a hill overlooking the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Alexander was a prominent resident in Baddeck,  spending his  summers here with his family. Some of his famous inventions were conceived and brought to life  in and around the Baddeck area. In fact, we’re named after one of his inventions! The Silver Dart, was an aircraft built under Bell’s guidance and when it was flown over the ice on Baddeck Bay in February 1909, it marked the first controlled power flight in Canada and thus the birth of Canadian Aviation!

Not only is the museum a tribute to Bell’s many accomplishments, it’s also a fun place to visit. There is a treasure hunt of sorts for kids and also kite making, and there’s plenty of room on the lawn to fly your new creation!

So the next time you’re in Baddeck take trip back in time with Alexander Graham Bell!!!!

Chad visits the Red Shoe Pub!

Well now, I love good food.  And when you have great company and great food you have a great time!  After hiking we decided to go the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou.

I have heard lots about it but had never been.  We got there at 5pm on a Wednesday and got the last table!  I have heard that you need to get there early because it really fills up once the music starts, and that is the TRUTH!  Being from an area that knows how to make REAL BBQ Pork, I just had to try the BBQ pork and sweet potato appetizer.

Man it was AWESOME!  It did not last long in front of me….

Everyone else had the fish and chips and they were great too!

Don’t know what they do to their tartar sauce, but it is really good.  One of the best things is that they have as well is Nova Scotia made beer on Tap.  Garrison

and Propeller!

UMMMM……Beer…..

Chad’s Mabou Highlands Hiking

My sister and her husband were in town,  I had the day off from the Silver Dart Lodge, so we decide to go for a hike that we have not done yet.

We ended up going to the Mabou Highlands trail system.   It is a bit of a drive down a gravel road, but you can get there in a regular car.  We hiked up to a look off that had awesome views!

Then we just kept on going.  We even had a fresh snack along the way!

Can’t wait to go back and hike more of the trails!

Mandy’s New Lawn Ornaments

Every day I am driving the half hour to work I wish I would spot a moose…. so this particular  day was no different. I was working 7-3 and was really hoping to spot a moose on their morning stroll… but unfortunately I did not see one.  Disappointingly  I started my shift… but within a few minutes my day turned around…. not one but TWO moose at our Lakeside Gazebo!!! Needless to say I took no time to get there, camera in hand of course….they were amazing!! I was in awe of them…but really, how could you not be… just look at them..

Just look at him....

So now that my day was complete I could go and get on with my work.  But wait…. what is all that noise in the dining room…look at that…what are they doing down there??  All the guests are glued to the front windows…what is going on now…. oh my gosh, the two moose decided to come visit us for breakfast..what a great day I am having!!! Soooo,  off I went with my camera again…. I now know why I never leave home without it!!   These moose were giving our guests quite the show, they loved it!!  I only wish they could have stayed longer… but you never know when they will be back….

What great lawn ornaments we have here at the Silver Dart!!

Look...he is sticking his tongue out at me....

Is this not the most beautiful creature!!

So if you are looking to see a moose…. sometimes you only have to go as far as the Silver Dart Lodge!! So when are you coming??

Deb’s Day Sailing on Bras d’Or Lakes

What a beautiful day to be on the Bras d”Or Lakes!

If you knew me, you would know, that I would have never thought of going on a sailing boat. The http://www.amoebasailingtours.com/  was phenomenal. I would highly recommend this tour of the Bras’Dor Lakes to absolutely anyone.  You’ll find the sailing tours at the wharf in Baddeck.

John the Captain makes you feel so welcome and at ease as he reads from his guide “Sailing for Dummies”. He definitely needs no guide, since the experience he has is far more than any guide could possibly teach you. We set out around 6pm, and arrived back around 8pm.  It is a great way to sit back and take in all of the scenery you can not see from the car. So if you are pondering the idea of sailing,

I highly recommend you take some gravol and go for it!!

Be careful who you bring with you though… they do serve alcohol on board 🙂