Mountain trio completed

Day 3 of our Cape Breton ride resulted in our successfully completing the third of three mountains along the Cabot Trail. Today's mountain was actually two mountains joined by a plateau (up Mount Mackenzie and down French Mountain), but who's counting? The climb was steep at 12% grade but we all agreed today was easier than yesterday's climb up North Mountain, which was longer and 13% grade, with more traffic passing alongside. On the other hand, yesterday we had extra motivation, hearing tourists shout out that a moose was sighted at the summit. We pedaled as best we could but missed the moose by about 60 seconds. And although everyone keeps telling us how plentiful moose are around the park, we have been referring to them as "the elusive moose" plastered on every National Park information kiosk but nowhere to be found.

If you haven't already figured it out...today's post is being written by Jenn, the verbose "Guest Blogger". So I've agreed to accept Jon's challenge for one post but have no fear...Jon will be back on board tomorrow. He needs a bit of a break to map out the next few days of our trip...he is sitting at the table as I write this, with map, phone, and pen in hand. You can stop reading as soon as I've become too verbose (which is about now). Perhaps we can persuade Mark to take a shot another day.

In order to end my blog without overstepping the 3-paragraph blog maximum, I have come up with a plan...bullet points! Here goes:

•Today's destination: Cheticamp - try saying that 3 times fast and see if you aren't giggling by the end. An Acadian town we had such great hopes for, but has largely revealed itself as closer to its unfortunate sounding name. We imagined something resembling a Canadian version of the quaint New England fishing village but instead found a lot of prefab housing and not a t-shirt shop or candy store in sight. On the other hand we enjoyed a fabulous pizza and discovered a French bakery (and certainly the town is authentic so that argues a point for not having endless gift shops).

• Top 3 phrases running through my brain today and everyday at the start of many hills: "Steady as she goes", "Shit", and "Good idea!" (That's when I see Mark reach for his water bottle and am reminded that I haven't been drinking enough).

• If it's sunny in Cape Breton just wait five minutes...it is guaranteed to change to fog (see photos of today's amazing Skyline Hike...could not see the ocean below).

I'd love to write more, but I know this is already beyond the limit so signing off for now...

Jon again: Other Jenn additions that she forgot as I'm trying to post this - meeting couple who live in Fisher hill Brookline, have kids at same schools, have Maine lake house near where Jenn grew up.
- the bike shop guy - only one on cape breton who did not have the cleat I needed for my shoes.
27.7 miles plus 5 mile hike