Day 71- A Pleasant Surprise

After yesterday's extensive journey from Dartmouth, I was quite tired, so I opted to sleep in until 6:30 to gain a little extra rest. It was a cool and quiet morning on the riverside, but I was confident that it was going to be very hot again today, so I hurried to get on the road as soon as I could.

Today I headed back inland, northbound toward Antigonish, and then east towards Cape Breton, where I was to be picked up by a friend of dad's for the night. I left the ocean shore behind, and worked my way north up and down many more hills, through forests and past lakes. As I continued on for the next few hours, the cool shadows cast over the road gradually receded, and it once more became very hot out, as the sun blazed down on me.

I reached Antigonish just before lunch, and it was time to head eastward, directly into a stiff breeze. I pushed onward against the troublesome wind, stopping briefly for another roadside meal of rations. It was slow going, and uncomfortably hot, but I could soon see the rock causeway leading across the water to Cape Breton; connecting the island to the mainland. I rode across the causeway, past cliffside mines, and under the welcome sign draped across the final bridge. I was quite pleased to have made it to Cape Breton. Once across, I made my way to the info centre, where I was to meet dad's friend, and soon enough he arrived to pick me up and brought me to his family's house for the night.

I dont think dad knew this, or if he did he forgot to tell me, but as it happens, I went to highschool with Clive's son, Brendon. It was quite a pleasant surprise to learn this, and it turns out I just missed him by a day or two, but I may be able to catch him when I head to North Sydney. Clive brought me back to their house, a nice home on the water; surrounded by docks, boats, wharfs, and more classic maritime homes scattered over ocean side rolling hills. It is maritime postcard worthy material.

The Samsons were very welcoming and friendly, and fed me a great meal as we talked about the trip and news from back in Oromocto. It was then time to relax and enjoy the comforts of the indoors until its time to head north to Sydney tomorrow.