It takes time to calm an angry sea and after the passing of Hurricane Earl, the seas were angry indeed. Today's run is to Louisbourg, to witness the North Atlantic's fury, crashing against the rugged Louisbourg coastline. We gathered once again to enjoy a great day of driving, eating and laughter as we explored more of Cape Breton. Today.. at the Value Village Parking lot, the member's cars kept coming, lining up for a great day. 13 people in all and we were joined later by Anita; Bob and Julian. Very few days are stubborn-car event free, the craziest things happen. Today, a wire fell off Joe's alternator killing his battery. A quick boost and away we went.
It takes about 20 minutes to get to Louisbourg from Sydney but you would swear you drove to a coastal town in Newfoundland. After you turn off the main road leading into town the scenery changes dramatically. Your now driving on a very narrow twisty road lined with houses close to the road on one side and many private fishing docks on the other. The pavement ends and we drive on a dirt road for about a mile when the wind swept shores of the Louisbourg Lighthouse appears.
I wasn't joking about the seas being angry, you could hear the hissing and howling before you got out of your car. Upon our arrival we were greeted by Peter and Sandy Smith, what a nice surprise. They came in from Baddeck to witness the crashing waves as well. I believe they had travelling companions with them and a British sports car isn't passenger friendly to say the least, best driven with pilot and co-pilot, the driver will need someone to hold their coffee. We weren't disappointed at the display, although most of us have seen an even more ferocious display years earlier.
Sheila, along with other members told me they have never been here before, or heard of this place for that matter. Sheila also said she could sit here and watch the saes all day, and I agreed.... I could have as well. By now you could taste the salt from the sea spray on your lips and the cool sea air felt great in your lungs. What a spot to visit today and many had the same idea, as parking was at a premium.
Jennifer had found her vantage point. From here she kept her camera at the ready to capture the perfect wave crashing on the rocks below. The following is from Wikipedia... Construction began on the lighthouse in 1730 to assist navigation to Fortress Louisbourg. It was completed in 1734. A fire in 1736 destroyed the lantern but the stone tower was unharmed and a new lantern was installed in 1738.[1] Lighthouse Point played a decisive role in both sieges of Fortress Louisbourg as, once captured, it provided a commanding gun battery location to bombard the fortress. This lighthouse was badly damaged in 1758 during the Final Siege of Louisbourg and abandoned by the British after they demolished the fortress. Stonework ruins from the first tower are still visible at the site. ....... Although the concrete block is newer, all around Jennifer lays the remains of the 1758 lighthouse. When I first seen these stone ruins I just said to myself... "there must have been another Lighthouse here earlier" Now I know the history of the stone foundation that we walked upon, thanks to a BCCCB outing
More history on the new Lighthouse from Wikipedia...... An octagonal concrete lighthouse decorated with neoclassical architectural features was built in 1923. The tower is a twin of the Georges Island Lighthouse in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Louisbourg lighthouse was destaffed in 1990. The lighthouse is a popular lookoff point and in 2008 became the start of a coastal walking trail. The cars look great with the lighthouse as a backdrop and just may be the homepage photo next month.
I would have loved to stay and perhaps even walk the trail along the coast but leave we must. Taking the Newfoundland type road back to town it was still a tad early for a bite. As it turns out, Peter and Sandy told us the power was out in town and sure enough, when I asked people standing on the side of the road if the power was out.... they said it just came on. Wow! In this day and age, a town can lose it's electricity for 24 plus hours.. crazy!
Along the Louisbourg/Main A Dieu road we drove. The road wasn't the best but it's always nice to see new scenery. We drove into Main A Dieu, to the dead end. The old stomach made a noise, so it was off to our next stop, Dock Yer Dory.
Dock Yer Dory... I was wondering, are we here for food or earrings. Some of the girls loved the well stocked gift shop and I seen bags later when we left being stuffed behind the seats.... This is what it's about. You jump in your little British sports car and go for a wonderful drive. You perhaps go placed you would never go to in your family car and you stop by places you may never go into if it wasn't for a great club like ours. So take advantage of the moment, stop and shop and laugh, Or if your brave enough, sit and chat a few feet from a high eroding cliff. Now after witnessing how sure footed Joy is.... being this close isn't a good idea. Again I have to take my hat off to the great staff and cooks at this establishment, we were treated very well and the food was fantastic. Just ask Jennifer about the strawberry Shortcake.
Lee and Sheila took us on a little tour of Glace Bay on our way back home, we drove streets I have never seen before. Barc led us to the mouth of the Glace Bay Harbour, another place I have never seen before and had no reason to, other then as a BCCCB tour. Again, there are areas of Cape Breton yet to be discovered, only to be visited by us when we travel as a group with the BCCCB.
We finished our day with a stop to see three derelict Triumph slated for the crusher. Each are in very rough shape and in my eye they are done but there is a bounty of parts to be rescued by those who drive Triumphs. Bobby, Anita and Julian were like kids at Christmas time running between each car examining parts and I am sure they are over there with their wrenches as I am typing this, and well they should.
Another fantastic day with the BCCCB. Again if you weren't there you missed it. Come along Next time.