Bras d’Or Lake

Monday, July 7, 2025 departed Canso at 8:15am, destination Bras d’Or Lake. At 11:20am we arrived at St. Peter’s Canal lock, which brought us up 1.5ft. After the swing bridge we turned west to St Peter’s Lions Club Marina.

Bras d’Or Lake is an irregular salt water estuary watershed with three passages to the Atlantic Ocean. Located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This brackish lake is an UNESCO-designated Biosphere.

Made another grocery store run, for the few things we were distracted from and forgot to get. Also, the NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation) was right next door… more Jōst Tidal Bay wine and Rum! All took showers and we did laundry at the marina, needed lots of quarters for laundry!

For dinner we prepared grilled pork chops marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Additionally cheesy mashed potatoes and a salad.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 departed the marina 8:45am to West Bay, miles traveled today 21.5. On a mooring ball for the night, at the home of Louis and Robert, OCC Port Officers.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7am we were off the mooring ball, on our way, headed to Baddeck.

8am we passed through the Barra Strait Bridge.

Arrived in Baddeck 12:15pm. Total miles traveled today, 29.

Settled by Loyalist and Scottish Gaels in late 18th, early 19th centuries. Later the area thrived as a service and shipping community supporting mining, trapping, fishing farming and forestry. Baddeck became famous in 1874 from the travel memoir written by Charles Dudley Warner, Baddeck, And That Sort of Thing, catapulting the area as a tourist destination. Baddeck was founded in 1908. It is the beginning and end of the Cabot Trail, a 185 mile scenic highway around the northern Cape Breton Island.

The village was also home to Alexander Graham Bell, and a museum that bears his name, The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. At the museum, one can explore his inventions that helped build the present day world. Today’s economy in Baddeck is supported by tourism, cultural activities and services.

We are on the Baddeck Community Dock for the night. Visited the museum, walked around town, had ice cream and sent John up the mast to replace our courtesy flag halyard.

Dinner at The Freight Shed: Waterside Bistro & Market.