I find I greatly admire Bell

I really only knew the basics of Alexander Graham Bell - inventor of the telephone, worked with deaf people, knew Helen Keller... that was pretty much it, until we visited the Bell Museum in Baddeck Nova Scotia on Cape Breton.  The museum is located in the town where Bell and his family had their summer home and where he had his laboratory and where experiments were done.

As a result of the things I learned about him - I am now a huge fan of the man!

Here are some tidbits from the timeline that you see as you enter the exhibit area of the museum- the first one I found interesting was dated 1891-

there was so much information contained in the exhibits that I am mostly going to just post signage and a few photos of some inventions I never knew he was involved with...

Bell with Helen Keller- He also taught many other deaf students including the woman he would marry - Mabel- and it was a great love story- they were together a long time - until they both died less than a year apart-

the first powered flight in Canada was Bell's plane- the Silver Dart...

Bell's getaway office in a boat house apart from the main house where there were often many many guests visiting and lots of distracting activities...

he loved to swim at dusk and relax in the water with a cigar...LOL unlike the things we learned about Edison in Ft Myers and Greenfield Village- this was a truly good and nice man- worthy of our admiration!

the view of the bay in Baddeck-

a great stop - and it was enhanced by the fact that we stopped for lunch nearby in an excellent sandwich shop called Herring Choker (perhaps not the most appealing name for a food place) but it was a good lunch in an area with a dearth of good restaurants...

and on the front of the deli case they had taped this cartoon, which I found hilarious - I LOVE Gary Larson...

so just to answer your possible questions about the Cabot Trail- which we did not do... I offer the following post

http://semifreelife.blogspot.com/2011/10/three-roads.html

and here is some information that played into our decision not to do the drive-

The Cabot Trail makes a loop around Cape Breton Island, cutting across the top of the island and closely following the western and eastern coastlines. If you travel in a clockwise direction, you'll be on the "inside" lane as you drive along both coasts. Because the road goes up and down steep grades and curves, the clockwise direction is better for drivers (and passengers) who dislike driving next to steep drops. Many of the turnoffs into Cape Breton Highlands National Park are right turns if you are traveling clockwise. Driving counter-clockwise may give you a better view of some of the more spectacular ocean vistas along the way. While this direction is less popular (it's billed as the direction for the brave driver), it may be easier to handle if you dislike slow traffic, as fewer people travel counter-clockwise. 

Be aware of a few important facts: 
•Once you begin this drive, you have to finish it, either by completing the loop or by turning around and retracing your path. You cannot cut across the center of Cape Breton Island. 
•Tour buses and RVs do make this drive, and they move very slowly on the grades. Passing lanes are few and far between. Pack your patience in addition to your snacks and memory sticks. 
•If you are driving your own car, be sure the brakes are in good shape before attempting this drive. You don't want your brakes to fail on one of the 13 percent grades. 

According to the Cabot Trail tourism map, the entire Cabot Trail drive takes approximately five hours. This time is without any stops whatsoever. If you plan to stop for meals, hikes or sightseeing beyond the occasional photo stop, you will need to allow an entire day, at a minimum, to drive the Cabot Trail.  The Cabot Trail has sections that could stand to be completely repaved – there are potholes, bumpy cold-patched areas, and gravelly spots along the way. Take your time, especially on blind curves. You never know when you will come upon an accident. The curves are sharp, the grades are steep and the other drivers may not be experienced mountain drivers. Use extra caution if you are driving the Cabot Trail in fog, mist or rain (all common on Cape Breton Island).

oh and did I mention we were an hour away from the starting point? So we opted out... and headed back to Sydney (our base for the Cape Breton part of the trip) Tomorrow we are off to the Fortress Louisbourg (the Canadian Williamsburg...) keep coming back for more....