The Canso Causeway spans the Strait of Canso, and connects mainland Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island, NS. The quarry on Cape Porcupine was opened in 1952 for the purpose of supplying rock fill for the causeway.

If it wasn't for the fact that a water cannel flows under the steel bridge, Cape Breton would not be considered an island.

Causeway Facts and Figures.

Our first stop is the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck. And it's going to be a tight squeeze.

Once on Cape Breton's side of the Canso Causeway, Sharon and I continued north-east along the TransCanada Highway, Route 105, hugging the shoreline of St. Patricks Channel, and into Baddeck.

Alexander Graham Bell Museum, Baddeck

It is now 3:45 pm local time. Sharon and I have just over an hour to view the many exhibits throughout the museum before it closes for the day. Not nearly enough time to absorb all the information.

I was very surprised at how many projects Bell was involved in: planes, boats, and communications, just to mention a few.

Mr. and Mrs. Bell and their engineering graduate partner Casey, lived at Beinn Bhreagh, which is hidden amongst the foreground trees at the left of the photo. From my camera position, I stared hard and long thinking I could see their home. I'm not so sure I did. Or didn't.

In 1918 Bell and his team built the HD-4 hydrofoil, which was designed for anti-submarine duty. It saw very little, if any, action in this regard, however it did hold the world's speed record for several years. Actually it held the record for more than a decade. The HD-4 began to rise off the water at 15 mph and rose completely at 30 mph. It's top speed was 70.86 mph.

A Replica of the Silver Dart

"The frame and structure of the Silver Dart were made of steel tube, bamboo, friction tape, wire and wood. The wings were covered with rubberized, silvery balloon cloth provided by Capt. Thomas Scott Baldwin of Hammondsport, NY; hence the name the Silver Dart." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AEA_Silver_Dart

I am not sure how many design projects are on this board.

One of Alexander's designs is a tetrahedral, a triangular pyramid that was incorporated into airplane construction. "Although only one of Bell’s planes managed to fly under its own power, the tetrahedral frame structure, which is a solid having four plane triangular faces; a triangular pyramid, was to become a much used component of high tech architecture more than half a century later." http://www.oobject.com/category/alexander-graham-bell-tetrahedrals/

After our visit through the museum, Sharon and I pulled into Mother Gaelic's B & B in Baddeck. This house was originally built in 1855 and operated as a bank. It became a boarding house/inn, store and tavern in 1883.

Yellow Cello Cafe.

After we had gotten kind of settled into our sleeping quarters, it was time to eat.

Salt and Pepper.

With dinner out of the way it is time to get out and explore. Charles J. Campbell was a Member of Parliament from 1819-1906.

Gilbert H. Grosvenor Hall

The Gilbert H. Grosvenor Hall building was originally built as the Baddeck Post Office and Custom House, opening in 1886.

Sunset is a good time to head down towards the waterfront for a look around.

An inlet of Baddeck Harbour, and Mother Gaelic's in the far distance to the left.