Boularderie Island, Bras d’Or Lake
One or more of the numerous cruises on these waters, described later, should be taken, as well as the journey over the railway, now resumed.
The view of the lake as McKinnon’s Harbor is approached is beautiful. The tree growth is larger, fantastic little islands dot the smooth water, and the whole panorama of mainland, island and broad lake is indeed magnificent. Nearing Iona the peculiar appearance of the landscape whitened by the outcroppings of gypsum or plaster rock is very noticeable. In many places the shore view of headland and water is very similar to that on the Atlantic coast, except in the placidity of the water. At Ottawa Brook a lovely view of island-dotted lake is seen stretching out in a far-away and pleasing vista to the south. At a small siding, nearby, a small meadow stream meanders fantastically through a verdant plain that is dotted with haystacks, and has here and there little bridges raised high above the general level to keep them secure in the time of spring and flood—a time of utmost consequence to farmers of intervale, for it brings rich deposits of alluvial mud to fertilize the low-lying fields.
From Iona, and Grand Narrows on the opposite shore, the steamer Bluehill makes connections for Baddeck, and from Grand Narrows another boat leaves for St. Peter’s and other points. At Iona station, by the “narrows,” passengers may take the opportunity of alighting to see the fine Intercolonial Railway bridge that spans the channel. It has a “draw” near the Grand Narrows side to allow vessels to pass from upper lake to lower, or the reverse. Grand Narrows attracts tourists to its comfortable hotel on the water, as it makes a good centre for seeing the surrounding country. It is also a place of call for the lake steamboats. There are fine views to be had in the vicinity.
The run over the railway from Grand Narrows by Boisdale, Barachois and George’s River to Sydney is a pleasant one along the eastern shore of the upper lake; and it should be made both ways in order to see the water after sunrise and at sunset—the two effects being quite different. Journeying and looking out on the shore, at times a sandy crescent is seen to run out into the lake and terminate in gentle mound, green sward and comely tree-growth. Often there are small lakes, and frequently a little chain of such; and at these places, with the boats of the fishermen drawn up on the strand between the great lakes and the lakes in miniature, the scene is novel and most striking.
Here are two sandy arms running out, and drawing together at their outer ends—forming a harbor within a harbor—where a little flotilla of brown-sailed fishing craft rides snugly, protected even from the windy scud of a stormy day.
CAPE BRETON SCENES
1. Woodland Scene 2. Brook Scene 3. An Old Mill 4. Farm Paddock 5. Mira River 6. Catch of Salmon, Margaree River 7. River Denys 8. Middle River 9. St. Ann’s Bay