Yes the Cows and Shoe Run or, in order of our stops, perhaps we should call this The Shoe and Cows Run. Regardless, I am sure an explanation of the title is needed but I'll work up to that. Today, 11 members and 7 cars took advantage of this, one of the nicest Sundays  in a while, to take in this run just to relax and enjoy a late spring drive through some great, green flanked roads, that Cape Breton has to offer.  

I used the words "green Flanked roads" and just look at them, the green is everywhere. I know, yeah so, but it was only in the last week or so that the trees began to flourish. My last outing there were gray trees and just the tiniest of buds could be seen,, now with all the rain and finally some sun and, WOW! Everything is so full and alive. After taking this shot of Bobby and Anita in their MG Midget along the shores of the Bras D'or Lakes in Eskasoni, I looked at the picture on the camera and the Green mountain behind them jumped out at me and yet again at the ferry in Little Narrows. The mountains that Cape Breton are noted for are covered with a carpet of plush green foliage. The lazy hazy crazy days of summer are within our grasp. YAHOO!

Here at the loading ramp of the Little Narrows Ferry we had a few moments to kill waiting for the ferry, a moment to chat. I know, your only counting 6 cars but shortly, just up the road at Vi's Restaurant, we'll be hooking up with Peter and Sandy in their very sporty Jag XJS V12... I am guessing that those who put the Zoom Zoom title on the Mazda products didn't know this car existed.... Zoom Zoom this.. Mazda. . Anyway... We at the BCCCB are blessed for sure for many things and one of our blessing is the female members of this great group. Each and everyone is a true pleasure to be around. One such member is Jean Renzi, on board the ferry I couldn't help but notice Jean's hat. The wide brim hat is just the perfect hat for out scooting around in her and Joe's Bugeye Sprite on a hot sunny day. This hat adds to the whimsical persona that these cars portrait, as we lazily cruse through the countryside.

Exiting the ferry the next stop is Vi's to hook up with Peter and Sandy. The sun bleached out a lot of my photos but that's fine, it was nice to have it around  finally. Above you see Joe the big ham, waving for the camera as we head off to Whycocomagh..... right or left. My original route was through Orangedale and turn right on the highway towards Whycocomagh. Changing the route by taking the ferry had me perplexed... was it right or was it left after you got off the ferry...... As you can see... left it was... Bobby was right.

All the ducklings are lined up with the tail-gunner Donnie. watching over the flock as we darted across Highway 252 through Brook Village. Readers... truthfully, this is a great road. The only problem is that it isn't long enough. The switchbacks and quick turns along the tree lined route should be more advertised as the quick route to Mabou. Along this route I was snapping pictures and didn't realize that my camera card was full losing a few pictures. I passed the Camera off to Paula where she quickly took the camera card out of camera # 2 (the back-up) put it in the good camera and I was up and running again in no time. Thanks Mac.. (her pet name).

Like any BCCCB outing, anything can happen and because there is a plan.... or sometimes not... only means that that you may wind up anywhere. A stop at the Red Shoe was not the plan today but it is a pilgrimage from the other side of Cape Breton that we plan every year. My plan had us eating supper at China King in Port Hawkesbury but trust me.... this is much much better. We as a club have  eaten here often, we have brought people that have never been here and why.... because we have never been disappointed... n e v e r. Today was no exception. First of all.... I believe this is only the second time we were able to park in front, the good parking spots were always taken, getting to park here makes for some fantastic pictures. When you first step through the old wooded screen door you can feel the good energy. This is no cookie cutter kind of restaurant that seems to be popping up everywhere, this place has style that could only be the RED SHOE. You walk through the dining room looking at the old photos on the wall and the floor gently squeaks under your feet adding to the the buildings old charm. I am sure that if the place wasn't so clean there would be rosin from many a fiddle bow on the floors. We could have eaten in the dining room but seeing where it was hot and sunny, we opted for the large Patio.

Don't let the empty chairs around us fool you, arriving to find the patio empty was purely timing, it would only a matter of minutes that there wouldn't be a chair to be had, as the place filled up quickly after we got there. Now this is were the fun starts... for starters our server was Katelyn MacDonald and she was fantastic. She looked after the 11 of us joking and smiling the whole time, she surely deserved her tip. The Shoe will always be busy as long as the service is this good. The food... well they have their own full menu with things like... the Red Shoe Burger, The Red Shoe Club, Mabou Seafood Chowder and a Pair Of Shoes. Visit their site at www.redshoepub.com  for the full menu. Anyway, the food arrived, Chef Fred Murphy did his magic as everything was delicious, and filling I might add. I told Katelyn who we are and that we come here often and asked if there was a possibility of getting a Red Shoe Pub T-Shirt for our auction. Katelyn said she would see and checked with the manager Angie Smith. Sure enough, within minutes Angie was over to talk to us with a shirt in hand. What a lovely lady, and yet again a big Red Shoe Smile. I am telling you.. if ever there is a restaurant with a friendly family atmosphere.... this is it! What a great experience. The Red Shoe T-Shirt will hit the auction block July 16th ... lets see what happens. Thanks Angie and thank you folks of the Red Shoe for a great meal.

I know Jean is going to kill me for this but it's all about the fun. Jean wondered what Barc, Don and Lee were having for desert, so she peeked over the fence. She was a tad late to see the deserts, all she seen was the freshly licked plates that once held "Bread Pudding". I am sure it was good but Paula and I had the Ginger Bread Cake... uummm-uummm good. A little after lunch chat outside the Shoe and away we went.... hummmm what's the next stop.

Ok... you really must check out this web site www.gallopingcows.com - that's right, The Galloping Cows.  There you go... the reason for the title for this story, The Galloping Cows and Red Shoe. Joanne and Ron Schmidt have it all figured out here at the Galloping Cows. This little shop is a little out of the way, 59 Justin Road Port Hood to be exact but surely worth a visit. I have heard about this place a few times but after hearing that their products were in the stars of the Oscars gift packs, I figured it was time to check this place out. Once inside your surrounded by tasty Jams, Jellies and Sauces and sure enough, there sitting on the shelf are photos of William Shatner and Cheech Marin, along with other stars holding products from The Galloping Cows, pretty cool I thought for a small Cape Breton establishment.  Once again... Cape Breton stands proud. Great work Ron and Joanne. Paula bought two types of Apple Butter, we tried it out with a good cup of King Cole Tea and crackers when we got home. Ok the results.... Fantastic! Now we'll have to check out some of the other delectable treats they make and sell, I see by their business card they sell their goods at the Sobey's Deli counter. Watch for them.

Leaving Port Hood the road skirts along the Gulf of St. Lawrence and some very nice scenery. We don't get over this part of the island much and when we do we are never disappointed with the sights. Our next stop is Port Hawkesbury to visit a very sick friend we discovered a few years back..... it died. This once beautiful MGA sits sadly on the side of a bank rusting away to nothing. The rope you see tied to the engine is a clothesline, and why not, this once proud British car is done. I didn't see one thing worth salvaging,  what a sin. Moving on to our next stop.

We could never leave this story on such a sad note about the MGA. So, we'll end it with a stopover at  Joe and Jean's friend, Maureen Coleman's to see her lovely house overlooking the Bras D'or Lakes. I was told many years ago that to truly see the nicer homes on Cape Breton, you have to get a boat. Sure enough, this is one of those homes they're talking about. Wow, one would never know this house was here from the road and as you roll up on the beautiful home you know that the side facing the lake would be breath taking... and it was. What a gorgeous home and there was a series of stairs going down to a gravel beach. A big beautiful home, an amazing garage with two stories and a beach...... I could live here, heck I wanna live here.

Well, this is it, this was our run for one of the first warm Sundays in June, and in a while for that matter. We did what we set out to do with a few changes, changes for the better. And to close out the day with a visit with Maureen was perfect. We left Sydney at 10:30 and Paula and I got home at 7:00, that's 8.5 hours on the road, seeing sight, eating, laughing and visiting as much as we could. Yes it was a long day but it was warm and sunny and we took advantage of it to the fullest. I am sure everyone who ventured out for this run, slept well, I know I did.  In closing, as most stories go..... If you weren't there you missed it. Come along next time.

Photo contributions--- Barc Cunningham