Wildflowers and lobster traps

The summer went by like a flash: eventful, busy, and rewarding. Looking after my sister's campground and gardens was hard work but also had its perks.
"The Jumping Mouse" eco camping is in northern Cape Breton, NS ,a little piece of paradise with mountains in the background and overlooking the Atlantic. 

View from Smokey Mountain along the famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, NS

Having been to this area many times over the years, I have made several good friends. Some people think it is isolated because the nearest city is Sydney, a 3hr drive, but the scenery and community activities make up for that. Campers come from all over the world, attracted by the simplicity and beauty of the wilderness. Although the Jumping Mouse campground has only 10 unserviced sites and one wilderness cabin, more and more people are finding it and often stay longer than planned...."just another day...we don't want to leave.." is a common comment.

along the driveway to the JM

Parked at JM beside some lobster traps


A favourite activity for campers is to go on a whale watch boat. Pilot whales are the most common but occasionally people are treated to sights of a humpback or blue whale. During the summer, Cisco, a friend and captain of a whale watch boat, saw a beluga whale which is rare in this area. Seals and dolphins can sometimes be seen as well.

These were a family of pilot whales which included some babies. Sometimes 

 Cisco let's those interested jig for fish. Since he is also an experienced fisherman, the passengers always catch some , usually mackerel, which he then filets so people can cook them over their campfires. As soon as some fish were cleaned, we were followed by many sea gulls eagerly waiting for any scraps.

Fishing is a major industry in Cape Breton and I was fortunate to arrive there just before the end of the lobster season mid July. Each fisherman has his own traps which have his colour of bouys attached to them. The traps have to be hauled in and stacked at the end of the season and these traps can be seen throughout the area. The damaged ones are either fixed or left to recycle into firewood, decorations, or 
to return to the earth.

Interesting driftwood marking a path to campsites

  As a result of being further north, the JM often gets challenging weather with heavy rains and strong winds. This can cause problems for those in tents! Despite these difficulties, people keep coming back year after year to enjoy the serenity and beautiful scenery.
The occasional harsh climate is soon forgotten when there is a spectacular sunset or a clear starry sky. Away from city lights, many more of the stars can be seen. It is an awesome sight.

a stormy sea

On a warm evening in July, some visiting friends from Quebec made dinner and we watched one of the most spectacular sunsets I have seen. They took this photo which shows the view from the campground:

I left Cape Breton a few days ago and am now back on the road again, this time heading west.
 The memories of the Jumping Mouse campground remain.


"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.
If you can dream it, you can become it."
--William Arthur Ward, writer

"Violence merely increases hate...adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness ;
 only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. "
--- Dr Martin Luther King, Jr

Any comments can be e-mailed to me at:

whyknotrvmaria@gmail.com

Thanks,

 Maria