Alex G. Bell Interpretation Center
They say that unplanned events are usually the best and BOY! we had that today. After a good nights rest from an exciting drive through the Cape Breton Highlands Park yesterday, and I do mean exciting, we (I) needed it. There's a festival going on in the Village of Baddeck today and it's also a civil holiday so the park was full and we couldn't stay longer.
We drove the motor home to a building with a huge parking lot around it so we stopped and I asked the owner if we could park there for awhile while we visited the village and the museum.Peter Patterson, the owner of "BRAS D OR BOATWORKS" is another gracious Canadian who willingly shares with visitors. I saw a couple sailboats he was working on and one of the molds he had made to make a fiberglass panel to repair one of them. Let me tell you, it was immaculate and I could see the professionalism in it. I didn't take photos because I didn't want to intrude. He told me that most folks don't ask if they can park there and he was very happy that I did.Thank you Peter for being so kind.
At the visitors center we were assisted by Florence and let me tell you how efficient and sweet she is. She accommodated all our needs and made phone calls to make reservations for us. She is a cheerful person and another shining example of the wonderful Canadians we have met. I like this place already and feel so comfortable being here. Hopefully we don't portray the "Ugly American" attitude that I see a lot of from Americans I've met outside the USA.
Today we drove into Baddeck to visit the Alexander Graham Bell Interpretation Center and Museum and were we ever in for a treat. First, I never knew, or thought, that he was a resident.here and had been for years. He was a gentle giant whom everyone who knew him loved him, EVERYONE! Plus, I never knew he had invented so many things and always went back to helping children, especially deaf and blind. He and his father invented several methods for them to help overcome speech deficiencies. He even married one of his students and they remained together until their deaths, his in 1922 and hers in 1923.
Lunch at the Bell Buoy Restaurant was a real treat. It was past lunch time but Danick Clavel, our waitress, and the owner allowed us to order our fish and chips and seafood chowder. What a delicious meal it was. The huge chunks of Salmon, cod and scallops in a perfectly mixture of stock was undoubtedly some of the best I'v eaten. The cod was thinly covered with batter and again perfectly
deep fried. uuummm, so good.. She served us a brown sauce for the fries that had just a hint of sugar in it. Just enough to make your mouth water for more.
Danick Clavel
He and his wife created the Aviation Experimental Association, of which his wife Mable managed. Their efforts was the foundation of the beginning of Aviation in Canada. Yet, he remained true to looking for cures of children with speech defects. There are hundreds of instruments and tools he invented. Most notably the iron lung for Polio, an alphabet for deaf children and assisted his adopted son in his ventures into hydrofoils.
I have came to believe that he was as brilliant, if not more so, than Albert Einstein. All he is known for is :E=MC2.,
Chinese Kite
Side view of ChineseKite
Proto type high speed Torpedo Tube
He and his wife created the Aviation Experimental Association, of which his wife Mable managed. Their efforts was the foundation of the beginning of Aviation in Canada. Yet, he remained true to looking for cures of children with speech defects. There are hundreds of instruments and tools he invented. Most notably the iron lung for Polio, an alphabet for deaf children and assisted his adopted son in his ventures into hydrofoils.
I have came to believe that he was as brilliant, if not more so, than Albert Einstein. All he is known for is :E=MC2.,
The Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh
We saw a flyer advertising the event in a small building called Parrish Hall. Ther were about 120 people there and it was a full house. A survey conducted by the hostess revealed people from all over Nova Scotia, Toronto, British Columbia, Montreal, and from all the Canadian Provenances, 'but the largest crowd was from the USA, One family was Indian and Swiss.
It was a two piece band. Howie Mc Donald, the fiddler, was from Sydney, NS and Mac Morin, the pianist, was from Cape Breton, NS. Their music was Scottish Gaelic consisting of Jigs, Waltz's and reels. Mac also played one solo that was amazing and he later performed a Scottish (Gael) dance while Howie solo'ed on the fiddle Everything they played was so professional and performed so extraordinary . I took a video of them both in their intense moments but I don't think the Blog will take it. , I watched Howie's fingers work the strings and Mac's left arm and fingers become a blur while playing their instrument
. It was just so amazing.
Howie McDonald
A student at the local University.
Mac Murin
Our second night at the Ceilidh we immensely enjoyed Shelley Campbell and Allen Dewar performing their renditions of the music they love Their music was just a bit different yet more of the same. We thoroughly enjoyed her performance which included story telling (an old joke) and her teaching of Gaelic words. She teaches Gaelic in her school
Shelley and Allan
A 90 year old up & dancing to a waltz
We enjoyed the Bell museum, but after the big build up we were given in advance, it was less than we were lead to expect.
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