St Peters and Baddeck are the only full-service locations on the Bras D’Or Lakes. Sure you’ll find other communities and local markets here and there, but for the most part it’s fairly rural.
Baddeck has a practically new public dock – but it’s not free, and we found, often busy. Fortunately we found very good holding for our trusty hook just east of the Baddeck Yacht Club.
It took a bit of sleuthing before we could find a place to leave Korykory when going ashore. The young woman running the public dock didn’t know what a dinghy is; no hope there. So, we tied up behind the catamaran belonging to Paul Jamieson, our friendly host in Baddeck. He runs charters by the hour, day or week on his lovely boat. The dinghy dock, it turns out, is at the Baddeck Yacht Club; four hours max. We asked the friendly dude working, “…could also tie up at Baddeck Marine.”; “no problem”; they are very accommodating!
Our first stop was the Alexander Graham Bell museum. Baddeck is where he and his family settled after making his name in telephones. Baddeck reminded him of his beloved childhood home in Scotland. He spent his years in Baddeck tinkering with many inventions, including recording music and voice, hydrofoils and airplanes. Who knew! It’s a beautiful site overlooking Baddeck Harbor, including Fayaway! They also host a local market on some Saturdays. Fresh produce, pumpkin marmalade and micro greens were welcome additions to our ship’s stores!
The village of Baddeck itself has everything you could want. Coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Bean There, where we also grabbed a pound of beans for home. The High Wheeler, also more great coffee and sandwiches… and awesome homemade bread! The Co-op, a fully stocked grocery store in easy walking distance. And of course, the Baddeck Yacht Club, everyone welcome, for happy hour. Free clean showers at the gym across the road too!
We were in Baddeck to take advantage of a package we had won in a silent auction last fall at a Salty Dawg Cruising Association event. We used it as a kick in the butt to finally head north to Nova Scotia. Turns out, we were the only Dawgs heading to Bras D’Or this year, the usual rally having been dropped. But, no worries. The local host, Paul Jamieson and his partner Gay, along with their extended family took us under their wings and treated us like royalty!
Much Thank You Paul, for playing host and friend. Again, apologies- we broke your mooring 😉
OMG, Let’s not forget to mention our favorite hidey hole (again thanks to Paul for pointing out this magical spot… tranquility.
A wee bit to the west, maybe about ten nautical miles is the Washabuck River, and Deep Cove tucked into the north side and a mile or so up. It’s yet another of the seemingly uncountable pristine and undeveloped shorelines in the Bras D’Or Lakes. While staying in and getting to know the Baddeck area we took two sojourns to this not-to-be-missed eagle nesting site.
Next up: Northern Cape Breton Island and the Highlands.
SV Fayaway 