I agree that Cheticamp should create an airport but given the sparse population there, you could probably call ahead from the plane and just have them clear main street – it’s pretty straight.

Cape Breton’s relative impoverishment is not surprising, given that its historical two main industries (steel-making and coal mining) are now pretty much defunct. At one time a heavy water plant and an oil refinery were big on the island, both are no longer there.

There’s a Stora pulp and paper plant operating on the island which is probably its biggest single employer (aside from government, of course) but the main source of income for the population is likely tourism and the fishing industry.

Me too, I’m looking forward to the photos of your trip.

Paul

A quick google shows that there are airports at Port Hawksbury and Sydney. Cape Breton is impoverished period, so that might be why there are not more.

Philip,
I’ve really enjoyed reading about your adventures in Quebec, etc. I’m originally from Montreal (now in Toronto) and hope to make a similar trek next summer. I can’t wait to get to Newfoundland as I’ve heard so much about the friendly people and breathtaking environment.

And I agree that photos whould be a great addition !!!

Regards…

[x] Upload all the other pix you’ve made.

Thx,
Alex

I just flew over the southern tip of Labrador, abeam northern Newfoundland. No photos of Gros Morne, sadly. Photos from the airplane never seem to capture anything about the experience of being in the airplane. Maybe if one took three panoramics and blew them up to 10′ wide and built a special room into which you could walk and be surrounded by the scenery.

Cabot Trail? Drove it in the fall of 2001 and it was quite beautiful, of course. Seems rather similar geologically to Gros Morne. Anyway this trip I just flew over the top of the Cabot Trail, about 700′ above the road, and didn’t land on Cape Breton. Cape Breton is oddly impoverished in airports. Cheticamp, for example, is nice and flat and has plenty of woodland that could be cut down to make a 3000′ or 4000′ runway and yet… no access by airplane. Maybe they are trying to discourage visitors.

Phil, didn’t you know that you’re not allowed to visit Cape Breton without mentioning how gorgeous the Cabot Trail is? Didn’t they give you the propaganda pamphlet?

Did you know that Capers are Newfies with their brains kicked-out?

Paul, ex-Caper

How far north did you get in Labrador ?

I’ve always wanted to go to Nain, but that is way up on the Labrador coast.
(I’ve been to Baffin, but I would like to see the Labrador coast eventually )

looking forward to your pics,
Stella Aquilina

I am sure I am speaking for others – post some photos somewhere! In particular I would love to see some of Gros Morne.