Well today we set out looking for a whale watching excursion. We joined the Cabot Trail again and drove up to Ingonish, there are several businesses in the area, however when we inquired (about the Zodiacs), we were told they were either not going out because of the rough sea or they couldn't take us because of Lilah's age. We'd kinda promised Lilah this trip, but realized now it probably wasn't going to happen, so we prepared her for it not happening.
We drove on up to Meat Cove, the most northern point of Cape Breton. We'd been advised to check out this area, even though it was off the beaten track. It certainly didn't disappoint! It's about 11 kms off the Cabot Trail and a further few more kms of dirt road before you arrive in Meat Cove. The area just takes your breath away, I've heard someone call it Lands End and it certainly feels like it when you're standing there.
After we visited the area we went back to a little village just down the road that we passed, called Bay St Lawrence. There were two businesses there that advertised whale watching. It was our last attempt, but we asked the guy if he'd take us out and believe it or not, it happened! Mind you, a few minutes out to sea and we realized why the other companies wouldn't take us out! There were 9 of us altogether, so we weren't the only crazy people! We put a lot of trust in Oshen, he's been a seaman for 30 years and even though he said there was a very high possibility we wouldn't see any whales because of the height of the waves, we did see them, quite a few of them. Lilah loved the boat and another highlight was when Oshen put the undersea mic in the water and we heard the whales talking/squeaking. It was so incredibly neat. We also got to view the Meat Cove area from the sea - I've said it a million times now, but I'll say it again, wow.
I can guarantee, it'll be a day we'll be talking about for a while.
Well today was the day that we traveled to Cape Breton for. The day Lilah has been talking about and wishing for since she was asked to be a flower girl several months ago by our dear friends Vince & Ciela... or as Lilah calls them "Binny Boy & Ce-ell-wa Dirl (girl).
Their wedding was beautiful, I mean absolutely gorgeous. The location was incredible, right out on the edge of a peninsula called Whale Cove Bluff. There was ice-cream served after the ceremony and Lilah has known about it for a few weeks, she was incredibly excited about the ice-cream. And have I mentioned the reception food yet? Well I don't even have words to describe it... the salad (and raspberries for the vinaigrette), potatoes, snow peas and carrots all came from Ciela's parents garden, they even raised their own chickens for the occasion. It was out of this world delicious.
Lilah did an amazing job, she was so focused walking up that isle and she had what we named 'her wedding smile'. As soon as we'd say, "Show us your wedding smile!", she would break out in a huge grin. I also want her to remember this sweet story, the evening before at the wedding rehearsal, she was walking slowly up the isle, Vinny was standing at the front of the tent and then he kneeled down and held out his arms for her. Well you can just imagine, she ran the last part of the isle at full speed right into his arms. Oh she adores her Binny Boy!
It was such an honour for Lilah to be a part of this beautiful wedding. Really, it makes me emotional thinking that they would ask her over others I'm sure they could have. She has been blessed and loved in so many ways by so many people.
Congratulations Vince & Ciela, you two make a really lovely couple. May the Lord bless you with many happy years together.
There's something about being on vacation and close to the ocean. Really, there's nothing better than the ocean. It's one of the things we really miss, living in Ottawa. In Ireland we were always close to the water, with pretty much the same 'island feeling' as Cape Breton. We've got plenty of lakes in Ontario, but they don't even compare to a real beach, real sand and salty water.
So what do we do today? We went back to the ocean! The weather was fabulous and we have really learned the art of beach combing now. Today was a big breakthrough for Lilah, instead of checking out *our* finds, she was actually searching herself. The beach we were on today had lots of little pieces of sea glass and Lilah was searching searching for sea glass, she even had a little sing-song that went along with her searching. It went something like this... "Where are you sea glass? I know you're here. I'm going to find you!". And she was thrilled with every single little find.
