Day 16: Linwood Harbour to Baddeck, NS

Another gorgeous morning. The weather is just perfect. A few gnats about while we were having breakfast outside so the Thermocell is in play.

Brian is inside wrestling with reservations, canceling old ones, remaking new ones.

We are now into our third week. Hard to believe. I need to take the freezer apart and take stock of what’s left of the home baking. We still have brownies and cookies.

We head across the Canso causeway to Cape Breton this morning. Our main stop is Baddeck and Lake Bras D’Or. There is some family connection on Brian’s side to Baddeck but I forget exactly what that is now, maybe a cousin.

Baddeck, NS

Baddeck is a picturesque village situated on the northern shore of Bras d’Or Lake. Known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history,

One of the most notable landmarks in Baddeck is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, which celebrates the life and work of the famous inventor who made his home in the village.

We spent about an hour and a half in the museum learning about Alexander Graham Bell’s work in Baddeck.

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer who is widely credited with inventing the first practical telephone. He was born on March 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and later moved to Canada and then the United States.

Apart from the telephone, Bell made significant contributions to aeronautics, hydrofoils, and optical telecommunications. He also worked on projects related to hearing and speech, including the development of a device called the audiometer to detect hearing loss.

He passed away on August 2, 1922, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence communication technology to this day.

One of the lesser-known aspects of Bell’s life was his connection to Baddeck in Nova Scotia, Canada. In the late 19th century, Bell and his wife Mabel spent summers in Baddeck, where they established their home, Beinn Bhreagh. It was in this tranquil setting that Bell continued his work on a variety of projects related to aeronautics, marine engineering, and, of course, communication technology.

During his time in Baddeck, Bell conducted experiments on various projects, including early forms of hydrofoil watercraft and kites capable of carrying humans aloft. He was also heavily involved in the development of the first manned flight in Canada, the Silver Dart, which took place in Baddeck in 1909.

Additionally, Bell’s fascination with communication technology continued during his time in Baddeck. He worked on improving the design of the telephone and explored other methods of transmitting sound over long distances. His experiments in Baddeck contributed to the advancement of telecommunications technology and laid the groundwork for the modern communication devices we use today.

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell (1857-1923) was the wife of the inventor Alexander Graham Bell and played a significant role in his work and accomplishments. Mabel was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was left partially deaf after suffering from scarlet fever at a young age. This shared experience with hearing impairment helped strengthen the connection between Mabel and Alexander Graham Bell, who himself was working on inventions related to sound and communication.

Mabel and Alexander Graham Bell married in 1877 and had four children together. Mabel supported her husband in his work on the invention of the telephone, serving as his constant companion and collaborator. After the successful invention of the telephone, Mabel continued to support her husband in his career and research endeavors. She was a key figure in the founding of the Volta Bureau (now known as the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing), an organization dedicated to supporting deaf individuals and advocating for their rights.

Mabel’s contributions to Alexander Graham Bell’s work and her own dedication to the welfare of the deaf have solidified her place in history as a remarkable and influential woman.

The Silver Dart

The Silver Dart was a historic aircraft that holds a special place in Canadian aviation history. It was the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve sustained flight in Canada, and is considered to be the first powered flight in the British Empire. The Silver Dart was designed and built by the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), a group that included notable figures such as Alexander Graham Bell and J.A.D. McCurdy.

On February 23, 1909, the Silver Dart took off from the frozen surface of Bras d’Or Lake in Nova Scotia. The aircraft flew for approximately half a mile at an altitude of about 9 meters, marking a significant milestone in Canadian aviation history. The successful flight demonstrated the potential of powered flight and laid the foundation for future developments in aviation technology.

The Silver Dart was a biplane with a wooden frame covered in fabric, powered by a 50-horsepower engine. It had a wingspan of 14.2 meters and a length of 10 meters. Despite its modest size and relatively simple design, the Silver Dart represented a leap forward in aviation technology and paved the way for further advancements in aircraft design and engineering.

We had a seafood lunch at the Freight Shed on the docks in Baddeck, walked around town for a bit and then headed to camp.

It’s warm again but not as hot as PEI, only in the low 80s. This campground had a pool. A lot of families here for the weekend and the kids are happily splashing away. There is a fire ban in effect. I’m feeling lazy today.

Tomorrow we will do the Cabot Trail. Question: clockwise or counter clockwise?