Today's run is a trip around the beautiful region of Lake Ainslie. It's October 3rd and the weatherperson is calling for a high of 17 degrees, and with the driving season coming to an end, taking advantage of every warm day is a must before the cars of the BCCCB have to be tucked away. I am making a habit of researching our destinations before we head out and here is a few facts I came up with about Lake Ainslie.

Lake Ainslie is the largest natural freshwater lake in Nova Scotia. The Southwest Margaree River starts at the lake and empties into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The lake is approximately 20 km long and averages 5 km in width. The lake was named after George Robert Ainslie, the Lieutenant Governor of Cape Breton Island from 1816 to 1820, when Cape Breton became part of Nova Scotia.

Again only six cars showed up for this run but it doesn't matter, if it were just me, I would forge on by myself but when travelling with other club members, you never know what's going to happen and what laughs you will have. We gathered at our usual spot and before we headed out, good ole Sharon had to get a few supplies to help start her and Ricky's day.

   

Today's BCCCB adventure started with a visit to Donnie McLellan to see his Triumph GT6. Now this was very interesting to me as I just purchased one in very bad condition and the gas tank is missing. This gave me the opportunity to see how the gas take sits in the trunk of the car. Donnie's place is well hidden, one would never know that a house was in this area, Donny said the house was built in the late 1800s and the grounds is full of old country charm. There are a few barns on the property and we found the old GT6 tucked away in one of them. The car hadn't been driven for years and the layers of dust almost Camouflaged the paint colour. 

    

We all had a look at this rare old girl and to tell the truth it was in great shape. It wouldn't take much to have her flying down the road again and I think that Donnie has that very idea in his mind. Perhaps another BCCCB member in the future..... We hope so.

   

We explored the car from all angles and then did a little exploring around the barns. Beautiful property indeed, Vegetable gardens and vast fields as well as a lumber mill was on site, one could explore here all day.

    

There were some great pictures taken here, I just love the old farm buildings in the background. I am sure this was a bustling business farm at one time but now it appears to be more of a quiet family residence. A quiet family residence with plenty of history.

    

Next stop was at Sylliboy's garage in Eskasoni for fuel and a fig or two. The village of Eskasoni rests along some of the most beautiful area of the Bras D'or Lakes. The roads weren't to bad but could use some work but the beautiful scenery along the way made up for the bumps in the road.

    

Over the Iona Bridge we went. The leaves along our route are just starting to change. There is still a lot of green but in places, the green is giving way to some pale yellows and reds. It won't be long before Cape Breton is ablaze of colour and the BCCCB will be there to witness this, as we fly down the road with the roof down and the cool fall wind blowing through our hair.

 

At the turnoff now, to head to Lake Ainslie, we stopped off at the Farmers Daughter for a break and a chat. The warn autumn air brought out the bikers and the parking lot here was full of them, as well as cars. What a busy stop. The pumpkins were set out for sale here at The Farmers Daughter and this made for a great backdrop behind Barc's old great looking B.

    

In many stories we referred to Don as, Don and his LE but today he had a co-pilot, Helen. Now as some of the girls searched the great looking gift shop here, Don and his co-pilot, Helen, had a chat next to his Great Looking LE. Today we also had Joe Renzi and his lovely Daughter Joella along for the drive. Joella had a broken foot restricting her mobility, so most of the photos when we are gathered chatting, poor Joella is sitting quietly in Joe and Jean's Mini. Here, Joella hobbled inside the store with the aide of crutches, what a sin but the trooper that she is, she handled herself well.

   

Onward we forged around the eastern side of Lake Ainslie and now into Inverness. You could feel the air get a little cooler now and Paula wanted me to put my window up. That's right,  Paula and I were very warm and toasty inside our B with the roof up. When driving with the roof down on a cool day, a scarf or at the very least a turtle neck is needed so the cool air won't go down your back. I am not sure if Helen had either because at our next stop Don had put his roof up making sure Helen would be warm.

     

The next stop where Don put his roof up was the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou. Here Joe pulled up close to the door so Joella didn't have far to go. The food and atmosphere here at the red Shoe is always nice. Most times when we come here the place is full and we have to ... or by choice.. we eat on the patio. Today the crowd is light and a table for 11 was available inside in the warmth.

    

Just look around at the pictures below, Doesn't the Red Shoe Look great? The Famous Rankin Sisters own this place and keeping with the character of the Mabou area, the building... although in great shape holds it old building charm. The Hardwood floors creek and it may not be perfectly flat but this adds to the charm of the place. There was no entertainment today but I am sure if you sat quietly in a dark corner after hours, one would hear the sounds of fiddlers past, echo through the place. What a great spot, and what great food as well.

  

Leaving the Red Shoe, we drove back towards Baddack, on the western side of Lake Ainslie through Brook Village. The scenery along here is beautiful and yet again, mother nature shows us a faint preview of the colors of fall that will be here very shortly.

   

We pulled over beside the Bras D'or Lakes in Whycocomagh to allow the others to catch up. Again a very beautiful area along the lake. Here we decided to take a look at the Celtic Quay Resort. Joe's beautiful Mini looked great driving down the driveway of the gorgeous landscaped property of the resort.

   

The trees that line the driveway give a hint of what to expect in the next few weeks and the cars look  great passing under this colourful display. The stately Cottages finally reveal themselves at the end of the driveway here we stopped to look around. I rang the doorbell and the host invited us inside for a look around.

   

Just look at the photos below, what a beautiful relaxing atmosphere. It may be a little far for a meeting but it sure would be nice to perhaps one day stay here just to recharge one's batteries. There is no restaurant on site but the gear is there to have a caterer to come in and prepare a feast for a special event. Wouldn't it be nice, to someday sip a glass of your favourite wine on a cold winters day sitting near a roaring fire here in the lounge of the Quay.

    

Well there you go, another great run. And as I usually say, If you weren't there you missed it. There is only so many roads on Cape Breton and we often repeat our route but there is always something new to see or explore, there is always laughter and a story to tell or hear. Some may say, "The Red Shoe Again" but the destination is a very small part of a journey. The journey is a combination of events that get one to their destination, the story is in the journey.