Preparing for our first backpacking trip of the summer and right now it looks like we are on the edge of the most beautiful forest ever. Cape Breton Highlands National Park encompasses a wild part of northern Nova Scotia. The area is reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands and is partially the reason the area was settled by the Scot’s, hence; Nova Scotia. We spent the day driving along the coast up to the entrance of the park and the road ahead looks stunning. Endless pine covering oddly round shaped high lands and we are going deep into the wilderness. Like last year, Maple said she wanted to carry our stuff and sleep in a tent. I found Fishing Cove, a small coast off the west side of Cape Breton only accessible by walking a moderate distance of four miles. Everyone should be in awe of my masterful planning there is nothing I could have overlooked. Amy is suddenly interested in planning and for some reason has concerns that the park has labeled this an extremely challenging hike, I may have forgot to mention that my new fisherman friend said that we would need to use a fixed rope to get over rocks in some sections. Surely they are overreacting so we check the apps. Okay this does appear to be a more strenuous challenge than I had pictured but so was the Wind River Range last year and everyone shined. It’s too late to change anything is my thinking. Also I’m thinking they got this. 

Tonight we make home in Cheticamp, pronounced locally as “shitty camp.” Fitz immediately asks if he is allowed to say it and say it he does. He says the name of this town repeatedly and whenever he can work it in, he does. When Amy try’s to cheat and use a soft E, Fitz is right there to correct her with the proper pronunciation, “No Mom, it’s Shitty Camp.” We giggle while we wait for her to say it right. 

We woke up and celebrated Maples birthday in our allotted cubicle on the beach. We said good bye to our new friends and besides stopping for lunch in Inverness we had a pleasant drive along the coast that was otherwise uneventful. This part of the island has been without power and are awaiting a transformer, many of the gas stations were out of gas due to generator usage or could not accept card due to power, but luckily Diesel was plentiful. 

I enjoy the art of packing for backpacking. I especially like it when I don’t have to carry anyone else’s stuff and can just see how light I can make my pack and still be comfortable. Today will be nothing like that but let’s see what I can do. The kids gathered things to bring, some highlights include; plastic toy tools, multiple compasses, a folding camp chair twice the size of a backpack, and my personal favorite, a bag of rocks. I allow plenty of nonsense but not that much nonsense. Fitz’s collection of band aids and Maples tape measure make the cut. It takes a long time to meticulously lay out the gear and the idea that this much stuff can fit in our backpacks always confounds me. I’ve included some more details below. 

Now that the sun is down and the children in bed, Amy and I will take turns showering in the campground showers, cause we are about to be smelly for a couple of days.