The secrets of Cape Breton

At various times in the last few years  there have been sightings of white moose on Cape Breton Island. Now these are a very rare animal , and here  we have two travelling together . 

The experienced local woodsmen and outdoor fellows we asked suggest  that these two are two year olds and might be twins  or two that just came together and now  travel together .

You have to understand that there is a bit of history evolving here . People who see these animals always talk about how impressed they are and how it would be so sad should should "something happen", which really means no one  wants to see these rare white moose harmed in any way , let alone see them hunted . 

There  have been other sightings and there are  photographs of the other sightings, but the owners of many of those photographs are being very protective of their photographs as a means to protect these animals . So now you understand why we are not telling you where these two moose were sighted . 

Many people who  come to visit Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail hope to get to see a moose . 

You will see the "caution " moose symbols on highway signs all along routes 19, 219 , 395 and the  Cabot Trail itself .  Pay attention, especially if you might be travelling these  same routes after dark .

The best locations to see moose are really within the Cape Breton Highlands Park. 

Don't expect to see a white one while you driving  along the highway . The better areas for sightings for moose start at the Park entrance until you arrive at the look-off above  Fishing Cove, just before you descend into Pleasant Bay. Moose are often encountered   while walking the Skyline or nearby trails . 

Finally , remember that a moose is a very large animal and while they may look clumsy , they are not . They can move very fast and shift direction very fast. And yes, they can "rear up" like a horse and use their two front legs to stomp .  You likely couldn't out run a moose!!!! 

The fall colours of Margaree

The "fall colours"season along the Margaree River and throughout the whole Margaree -Lake Ainslie watershed will last for over a month. The colours start appearing anytime after mid September . You  u have so many hills and valleys tucked away on the many side roads such that the colours start at one  location one day and maybe in another location a  week later .
The"peak" of the colours changes every year too , but generally those first 15 days of October are going to be when the peak will happen . Now , we also have these same fall colours all along the  coast line along Routes 19, 219 and then onto the Cabot Trail all around the  tip of the Island .
The trees on hillsides facing the  ocaen are usually slower to peak and are almost a whole  different colour scheme than you see along the Margaree and South West Margaree Rivers .
Travelling to Cape Breton for the fall colours is one of those "bucket list " trips , especially if some one wants to also enjoy what is called the  Celtic Colours  festival , a musical event that spans 10 days and has venues all over Cape Breton Island . Venues where you are as up close and personal as you can ever be . Musicians from Cape Breton , Ireland, and Scotland are but a few of the treats.
The thing to remember is to plan the time to really enjoy this once in a lifetime trip . It means you should really stay at least one or two nights in the Margaree River watershed area .  To travel "around the Trail" from Margaree can be a full circle drive and done in a day ,,as the driving time for the  full loop is in the 4 - hour range plus allow another 2 hours for your stops .
The difference in the Margaree Fall colours is that you are always seeing the colours  in contrast with the colours of the rivers , lakes or the ocean .