After two frustrating weeks of waiting for my car to be repaired, I was finally able to leave Laurie Provincial Park and rejoin Russ on Cape Breton. Luckily, he and his friend CK had just finished bicycling around the Cabot Trail, so I caught up with them before CK had to head back south, in Whycocomagh Provincial Park.

(Before continuing, a shoutout to the wonderful staff at Laurie Provincial Park, who allowed me to stay as long as I needed to, gave me the empty camp host site, and even moved my camper for me. They checked in regularly to make sure I was OK, which did wonders for my stress level. It also didn’t hurt that Laurie was located on beautiful Grand Lake, so I kayaked a few times while there—also very calming.)

You would think that a campground situated on the side of a steep mountain would not be so buggy, but the insect population was booming at Whycocomagh. It was so bad that I finally unearthed my screened bug hat (a fashion statement if ever there was one) to protect myself.

Had a great time listening to the boys relate their adventures cycling around the Cape Breton highlands. CK took off the next day and Russ persuaded me to go to Cabot Shores Wilderness Retreat, their least stop on the Cabot Trail, so I could see what he described as “like a hippie commune.” He also promised to drive me around the Cabot Trail so that I could concentrate on the scenery, so I agreed.