Hike the Bog Trail Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada…

Might as well do the Bog in the Fog…….LOL

“A short accessible trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is the perfect example of what the terrain on top of the Highlands looks like; boggy!
A lot of people bypass this trail for the more exciting trails such as Skyline or Fishing Cove but this one offers a lot for such a short trail. First of all, at about 500m, it’s short so it’s perfect for anybody on the trip. It’s also on a raised boardwalk the whole way around so even in the pouring rain; your feet will be relatively dry.” READ MORE.. Thank you TrailPeak

I wish I knew what 20675 means. Anyone have the answer?????

  “A self guiding trail, signs explain life here – pitcher plants, delicate orchids, colorful dragonflies, green frogs and gigantic moose. The trail, as well as the privy at the trailhead, is wheelchair accessible. Ideal for baby strollers.” READ MORE

Peat:: “Peat, also called turf, is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter that is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs.”

Strange critters on the boardwalk.

Some plants will do anything for nitrogen.

“A common plant in the bogs of the northeastern part of North America is Sarracenia purpurea (pitcher plant, Although its large leaves resemble tall pitchers partially filled with water, they are also good mimics of flowers, and it is the latter trait that fools both insects and humans. Although humans have nothing to fear if they try to smell the false flowers, flies easily become victims of the pitfall trap when they seek potential food inside. As the summer season progresses, the leaves become purplish red from the presence of anthocyanins, making them a lure to flies who are probably also attracted by the decaying amino acid odor of already trapped prey. Once the fly enters the hollow leaf, it confronts a waxy surface leading to a pool of water. Although a fly can often escape the surface of water, the pitcher plant reduces its chances by supplying a wetting agent that wets the fly's wings and prevents it from flying. Even if the fly succeeds in escaping the surface of the water, it is confronted by the steep sides of the leaf and, being unable to fly straight up like a helicopter, is forced to crash into the walls of the leaf. We have all seen flies climb the walls of our houses, but this leaf wall is somewhat more challenging”. READ MORE

Trapped in a Bog:::

“Paddy was trapped in a bog and seemed a goner when Big Mick O’Reilly wandered by.
“Help! ” Paddy shouted, “Oi’m sinkin’! ” Don’t worry, ” assured Mick. “Next to the Strong Muldoon, Oi’m the strongest man in Erin, and Oi’ll pull ye right out o’ there. ” Mick leaned out and grabbed Paddy’s hand and pulled and pulled to no avail. After two more unsuccessful attempts, Mick said to Paddy, “Shure, an’ Oi can’t do it. The Strong Muldoon could do it alone, mebbe, but Oi’ll have to get some help. ”
As Mick was leaving, Paddy called “Mick! Mick! D’ye think it will help if Oi pull me feet out of the stirrups? ”

The trees around the edge of the bog are largely Tamarack (Larix laricina), one of the few deciduous conifers.

Bogs and History:::

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life. "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer.
At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill.
His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Now time to get back on our bikes and head for the next trail.

Just kidding.. I know I don’t have that much energy…maybe Linda does… There were a number of biker/campers in Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada…

Have a great day..Actually this photo was taken on a different trail in the same general area… Cape Breton a “must see” in my opinion…

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Cape Breton Highlands National Park & The Skyline Trail

 

 Acadian Coastline, Gaelic Folklore, Celtic Culture and The The Mi'kmaq Nation… To say the least there is a lot going on in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. A “My Quality Time” post.

The Skyline Trail::: “Length: 7.5 km (4.7 mi) return or 9.2 km (5.7 mi) loop Elevation: 290 - 405 m (950 - 1,330 ft) Time: 2 - 3 hours
Significant Features: Headland cliff, ocean Main trail suitable for most skill levels.  Boardwalk with steps at headland.  Rugged back loop.” Linda and I with my sister Sara and her husband Larry did the In-Out trail not the loop.

If one is going to do just one hike in this area this is the one to do. There are hundreds of wonderful blog posts/web sites devoted to this area with detailed photos and descriptions of the hike. You can do your own research if interested. Here are a couple links I really like: One Journey and Wandering Not Lost .

On this hike you may see moose and bear but we did not… so it goes…   Instead I offer up a “At A Breton Calvaire” from the book::”Cape Breton Tales” by Harry James Smith 1880-1918.

“Upon that cape that thrusts so bare.. Its crest above the wasting sea-Grey rocks amidst eternity- There stands an old and frail calvaire, Upraising like an unvoiced cry Its great black arms against the sky. For storm-beat years that cross has stood: It slants before the winter gale; And now the Christ is marred and pale;

The rain has washed away the blood That ran once on its brow and side, And in its feet the seams are wide.

But when the boats put out to sea At earliest dawn before the day. The fishermen, they turn and pray, Their eyes upon calvary:

“O Jesu, Son of Mary fair, Our little boats are in thy care!” and when the storm beats hard and shrill

Then toil-bent women, worn with fear, Pray for the lives they hold so dear, And seek the cross

upon the hill: “O Jesu, Son of Mary mild, Be with them where the waves are wild!”

And when the dead they carry by Across that melancholy land,- Dead that were cast up on the strand

Beneath a black and whirling sky,- They pause before the old calvaire; They cross themselves and say a prayer.

 

O Jesu, Son of Mary fair! O Faith, that seeks thy cross of pain! Their voices break above the rain,

The wind blows hard, the heart lies bare: Clutching through dark, their hands find Thee,

O Christ, that died on Calvary!”

Film crew getting ready to shoot a documentary… and now I’m HUNGRY:::

 

The Beggars Banquet a chance for you to get into period costume and gorge on a feast of local seafood in a replicated 18th-century tavern.
Hope you enjoyed the post/photos… and as always have

a great day…. Joe Todd reporting for “My Quality Time”

 Cape Breton Highlands National Park & The Skyline Trail

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