Amherst, NS to Louisbourg, NS = 487 km

Breakfast was an early start for or me, rightly so because I had a long way to go today. After gassing up, I made my way to Pugwash via Highway 6. I don't think folks around here know how lucky they truly are to have the beauty I'm witnessing on the landscapes.

Unfortunately, pictures thus far have not done New Brunswick and Nova Scotia proper justice. I needed to stop for bathroom break at Tatamagouche. The visitor centre was still closed for another half hour, so I went across the street to a Railway Inn. Pulling up to it I started to laugh. This train and the store were featured on a show a couple years back called "The Week the Women Went". Immediately recognizable to me. I asked to use the washroom, to which I was pointed to a train coach. I couldn't believe my luck. Had the visitor centre been closed, I would have missed this. I LOVE trains. This was an OLD train, updated as necessary but for the most part kept as original as possible. They even have rooms here to stay in, and full dining. Had to pick up some souveniers from here. I continued along the coast thru River John to Pictou and New Glagow all the while stunned by the water, the trees, how green it is. Apparently they have had just as dry of a summer as we have had in Ontario. Certainly doesnt look like its been rough on the grass. Off I continued to Antigonish via Highway 104, where I stopped for lunch at McD's. I did a quick walk around Willow, my valiant steed, and something wasn't quite right with one of her legs. Her shoe was a little lower to the ground than I would have liked, and then I cursed outloud that I had a flat tire. I went in to take another bathroom break, coffee tends to do that, and pondered my next move. The tire had enough air in it that I could make it to get it patched. I was certain the screw I took outta there weeks ago was the culprit. Musta turned into a slow leak and all these miles musta done it in. I spooked a local sitting in his pickup truck, putting on the best damsel in distress guise I could muster for the best overall pity factor. He told me where a local shop was to get my tire patched and that a service station with air would be along the way. "No more than a km", he said. Off I went.....1 km was up, no gas station or shop yet seen. Outta the corner of my eye I noticed a different service shop and pulled in. I quickly grabbed the attention of a mechanic at Tim's Service Center, who said he couldn't patch it (would prefer it be taken off and patched on the inside and not plugged), but would put some air in it, enough to get me to another shop around the corner. He was not willing to take a dime from me. I thanked him and was on my way. I assume it was Tim who sent me to Andy's Tire Depot, just a left, left, and a right he said. Sure enough, I showed up, pulled another damsel in distress move and they said pull the car in and they'll take a look. Tire was off and inspected. Some small square piece of plastic lodged itself in between my tread. He had it pulled out and plugged faster than I would be able to tie my shoes. Tire was back on and I was back at Mcd's for lunch in less than 45 mins. Andy also did not accept a dime. Said the paperwork was more than the plug. Thanks Andy in Antigonish. Without much more of an delay of an extra long lunch break, off I went on the 104 to Port Hastings, across a great causeway. I stopped off at the Visitor Centre. The assistance there was fantastic! I would not have had enough time to enjoy the Fortress, so instead I re-routed to Baddeck via 105 instead of my original plan of taking 4 to get to Louisbourg. What's in Baddeck? The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada of course! I had no idea Bell was a man of so many talents. He was more than the inventor of the telephone. He was involved in aeronautics, agriculture, genetics, marine engineering, medical science and worked with the hearing impaired. I had no idea and found the whole museum very interesting. I also did some arts and crafts and made a tetrahedron kite! I'll test out the flying capabilities when I'm back home. I do not expect much for a couple wooden dowels and packing paper. Headed over to Louisbourg for my B&B night. A slight mix up with reservation info from the visitor centre had me directed to the wrong B&B. Got it all sorted out and I ended up at the right one without issue. The Spinning Wheel B&B is where I'm currently sitting, typing out my blog.

There is a light breeze coming in with some falling rain and I can hear the tone of a nearby lighthouse sending out warning pulses. Tomorrow's schedule includes breakfast here before heading to the Fortress of Louisbourg, another National Historic Site of Canada. I plan to take in a walking tour to get the most bang for the buck for my time. Then its off to the Cabot Trail, and to my other B&B at Margaree, where I hear there is a fiddle concert taking place at The Barn. I plan to attend. Dunno how many drinks I'll need to test my dancing shoes to fiddle music, but I will let you know how it pans out. Usually doesn't take any alcohol to make me make a fool outta myself!