I’m going back to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia this fall.

image from novascotiawebcams.com

I don’t know how yet, but I’m going. A huge leap of faith. I spent most of September 2010 there and wrote about it here. It’s trite and clichéd to say a place grabs hold of your imagination, like when Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco, but that’s what happened.

Pic from me

pic:me

Nowhere in Nova Scotia are you more than 35 miles (56 kM) from the ocean. It’s almost entirely around you, the scent of salt and brine is everywhere. It’s impossible to describe to a Minnesotan how exhilarating that is. It’s nothing like a freshwater lake.You will never see as many lighthouses in a row as you will when you drive the Lighthouse Route along the south shore.

photo from me

pic from me

There are mountains in any direction on Cape Breton; you are generally closer to a mountain than you are to the ocean. And along the Cabot Trail you will find some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It kind of sucks living in a place without mountains.

pic from me

me again

This was the view out my motel window

And the people are the nicest, kindest, funniest, most welcoming people I’ve ever met. We in Minnesota brag about being “Minnesota Nice,” but Nova Scotians leave us in the dust. Especially Capers. We’re like a bunch of skeevy New Yorkers compared to them.

Did I mention seafood?

Did I mention music?

Did I mention whales?

yup, me again

me

So I’m going back. Haven’t figured out how yet, but it’s gonna happen. Call it a vision quest.

yup