It’s sad but it’s already my last day. I had a perfect holiday in a very relaxed and very big country. I drove almost 6.700 km (only a small part from Canada), much more than anticipated. Although most areas were beautiful, some were better than others. I also missed 2 locations, which was told me afterwards was a pity to have missed them, Cape Breton and Algonquin Provincial Park. So I have to go back one time.
To give some background information about Cape Breton:
Cape Breton Island’s first residents were likely Maritime Archaic Indians, ancestors of the Mi’kmaq Nation, who later inhabited the island at the time of European discovery. Giovanni Caboto reportedly visited the island in 1497 to become the first Renaissance European explorer to visit present-day Canada however, historians are unclear as to whether Caboto first visited Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island.
The island saw active settlement by France with the island being included in the colony of Acadia. A French garrison was established in the central eastern part at Ste-Ann in the early 18th century before relocating to a much larger fortification at Louisbourg so as to improve defences at the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and defend France’s fishing fleet on the Grand Banks. The French named the island “Île Royale.” It remained part of colonial France until it was ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Britain merged the island with its adjacent colony of Nova Scotia (present day peninsular Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Some of the first British-sanctioned settlers to the island following the Seven Years’ War were Irish, although upon settlement, they assimilated with local French communities. From 1763 to 1784 the island was administratively part of the colony of Nova Scotia and governed from Halifax. In 1784, Britain split the colony of Nova Scotia into three separate colonies: New Brunswick, Cape Breton Island, and present-day peninsular Nova Scotia, in addition to the adjacent colonies of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The colony of Cape Breton Island had its capital at Sydney on its namesake harbour fronting on Spanish Bay and the Cabot Strait. In 1820, the colony of Cape Breton Island was merged for the second time with Nova Scotia; this being present-day peninsular Nova Scotia.
During the first half of the 19th century, Cape Breton Island experienced an influx of Highland Scots numbering approximately 50,000; a result of the Highland Clearances. Today the descendants of the Highland Scots dominate Cape Breton Island’s culture, particularly in rural communities. Until the 1970s, the Gaelic language was still spoken by many older generations who would have learned it prior to learning English in rural farming and fishing regions. A campaign by the provincial government during the 19th and early 20th centuries aimed to eradicate the use of Gaelic among school children. The growing influence of English-dominated media from outside the Scottish communities saw the use of this language erode quickly during the 20th century.
Tourism promotions beginning in the 1950s recognized the importance of the Scottish culture to the province (although it wasn’t dominant throughout Nova Scotia), and the provincial government made attempts to encourage use of Gaelic once again. The establishment of funding for the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts and formal Gaelic language instruction in public schools are intended to address the near-loss of this culture to English assimilation.
And Algonquin Provincial Park:
Algonquin Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in Ontario and one of the largest parks in Canada. It encompasses 7725 square kilometers, and is located on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River.
Algonquin Park is home to an amazing diversity of life. There are over 260 species of birds, 40 types of mammals and l000 species of plants. Commonly sighted birds and animals include; ravens, gray jay, grouse, moose, porcupine, raccoon, beaver, hare, deer, turtle, mink, otter, chipmunk, and if you are lucky enough to see one, a timber wolf or black bear. Courtesy of Exploring Algonquin Park - Runtz/Michael
Algonquin Park is covered by both deciduous and coniferous forest. Some of the more common deciduous trees found in the park include sugar maple, yellow birch, and beech trees; the northern coniferous forest includes pine, spruce and balsam fir trees.
Hiking, Canoeing and Camping are some of the more popular activities people can enjoy in Algonquin Park. There are overnight and day walking trails, interior and car camping and an art museum and visitors center. There are 3 lodges in Algonquin each with a unique atmosphere and lodging experience. There are also several kids’ camps.
Algonquin can be enjoyed by both first time and experienced paddlers. Flat water canoeing as well as white water canoeing is available. Park users can paddle and portage on over 1600 different kilometres within the park. This gives campers the flexibility to stay for a few night’s, or a few weeks and still see different areas of the park. The Petawawa River runs from the top North end of the park to the East end of the park and is a seasoned white water paddlers dream in the spring!
But that’s all for next time, I have landed safely, now duty calls .....
