087 - East Coast Road Trip - Day 10 (Mabou - Baddeck - 245km) - Happy Trails

 We spent an epic day on the Cabot Trail, crushing 4 different hikes, and still making time for lobster sammies.

Our trusty park map and trail guide in hand,

We headed out looking for adventure.

1. The Skyline Trail

The most popular of the Cabot Trail hikes, 

It’s a fairly easy stroll,

To some epic headlands overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

 

I suspect the popularity is in large part due to the equally epic selfie opportunities.

2. MacIntosh Brook Trail

There was some debate about whether or not a “brook” would have a waterfall worthy of a visit. But Taz and I were hopeful, so we suited up for the hike, juuuuust in case.

The brook did not disappoint.

"Woo-hooo!"

We made sure to tell Ciel that it wasn't THAT much fun...

The hike also provided intrigue with the discovery of some interesting remains in the middle of the trail. 

Fortunately we had members of the Henry St. Zooarcheological Identification Team (aka Skull Squad) on hand,

Who identified the partial remains as those of Alces alces,

With 92.3% certainty.

3. Lone Shieling

 We may have misinterpreted the guidebook on this one,

As what we thought was a hike to a single 400 year old sugar maple tree, 

(“Maybe it’s this one?”)

Turned out to be a walk through a forest of sugar maples, some of which are “over 350 years old”.

Not quite the same thing.

We still had fun.

For lunch we stopped at a little place in Neil's Harbour,

 That seemed to be at the end of the earth,

Cold beer, delicious seafood chowder, and obviously this,

4. Fresh water Lookout 

We squeaked in one final hike, 

Which was more of a stair-climb challenge,

To a well-earned rest.

We were on the homestretch to our backwoods accommodations, when Britt exclaimed,

“Hey, guys! There’s a heron...and another...and another!”

It was pretty cool to see so many all together at once, 

(we captured seven in the picture above, can you see them?)

Aside from the deer, definitely the most interesting wildlife sighting yet…Though, we’re still holding out for a moose!

Turns out our nature excursions weren’t quite over for the day, as the River’s Nest Wilderness Cabins were one step up from backcountry camping.

We rolled in to find the “Welcome Cabin” abandoned,

Aside from a local mutt who seemed to be guarding a half eaten roast chicken that had been left on the counter.

“Hello?”

We managed to find our way to our cabin,

(Last one on the right)

Taz made himself at home,

And signed the guest book,

While Britt and I got busy prepping tomorrow’s snacks at the outdoor kitchen,

Before cobbling together enough dry grass and twigs (…and brown paper towel from the washroom) to start up our first campfire of the trip!

“Cheers!”

Dinner was tailored to the setting, 

With suitable east coast accoutrements, of course.

“Night, night!”