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Jefferson Graham's avatar

Not a fan of LOX, but I loved staying at the Castle Rock Country Inn--what a find, as was the Auld Farm B&B in Baddeck, our two best stays during the trip, along with the AirBNB in Peggy's Cove.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

I totally agree! All three of these places were really special finds. And the smoked salmon (or lox!) was pretty special also!

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Judy Graham's avatar

I just finished reading your fabulous post and I love being a voyeur on your trips. Everything sounds so fun. The ending was especially moving. So much beauty in the world, and so much misery. It's hard to grasp.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so very much, Judy! Always good to have you along! Yes, so very sad and worried about what's happening in the world. I hope you and Mike are having a wonderful time! It's important to find joy where and when we can.

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Jolene Handy's avatar

Beautiful and how lovely you met up with Amie! I am very touched by your personal and poignant ending to this post, Ruth. Another particularly sorrowful time in our world. Thinking of you, my friend!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Jolene! It was very special to meet Amie in person and we really had fun (more TK!). Thanks for your good wishes. I’m hoping for the best.🙏🏻

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Mark Dolan's avatar

The photographs from your trip were magnificent. As usual, I can almost taste the food from your great descriptions. Most of all thanks for your hope for understanding and support for those suffering in Israel and the Ukraine.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Mark! I so appreciate your comments.

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Sally Showalter's avatar

Loved the photos, descriptions, and music. I have always been a great fan of Celtic music. What a wonderful, inspiring trip of such beauty and talent.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Sally! It was a lot of fun.

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Crowden Satz's avatar

But no chèvre?! Awwwww ....

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Hoang Samuelson's avatar

I was just thinking about you Ruth! And when I would see another post on your travels. As always a delightful post that does make me want to visit Canada even more! The inn and B&B you mentioned looks so perfect—Do they allow kids? Also, I’m curious about how you decided on New England and Canada versus, say, other parts of the country or western Canada, and how you found these cool places to stay and things to do.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Many good questions, Hoang! I give my husband Jeff complete credit for booking everything. The trip was really his idea. He has a photo channel, PhotoWalksTV.com, and needs material.

He wanted pictures of fall leaves and thought first of New England as we have done a lot of exploring in the west (including Western Canada). A friend suggested Nova Scotia as it’s cheaper. Jeff wanted to use free miles to help with the expenses but couldn’t use them to get to Halifax, Nova Scotia. We could use them to go to Boston, then pick up a rental car and drive to Nova Scotia, so that’s what we did.

We found most of the places where we stayed on novascotia.com. Jeff also called the contact number (800-565-000) and got advice from a woman called Julie on some of the places she thought we should visit and suggested lodging. We still missed a whole lot--like Sydney in Cape Breton and the wine country near Wolfville. I imagine that all the places where we stayed would allow children.

Some of what we discovered just happened by chance--like shops and meals. That’s the best part of traveling, I think. Another good site with info on Cape Breton is cbisland.com. I hope this helps. Just know that it’s a seasonal place and many things are closed during the colder months.

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Hoang Samuelson's avatar

Thanks for the tips! You guys definitely got some nice photos!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Hoang!

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Anne Byrn's avatar

What a trip! And thank you for those thoughts at the end of your post. We are living in a difficult time, and it’s important to talk about it.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Anne! I completely agree. Silence isn’t an option.

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Jefferson Graham's avatar

Great write-up about one fabulous place!

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Vicki Smith's avatar

How nice that you met up with Amie. Love the hat story and I appreciate your wise words about the current, terrifying world situation.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Vicki! It was great fun meeting Amie. And the hat store and Barbara were a total kick! It’s hard to know what to say about what’s going on, but it’s also hard to be silent.

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