Tourists travelling along the Route 4 Highway from St. Peter's towards Sydney, Cape Breton, are welcomed to a resplendent view of the Bras d'Or Lakes just as they leave Richmond County and enter into the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. As you drive along the highway in Irish Cove the view reveals an artist's paradise and a preview of wonderful attractions throughout District 11 along the rest of Route 4.

Welcoming tourists as you leave Middle Cape and enter Big Pond ,is the Cape Breton Lake Charters, where the owners Pat and Keith Nelder, offer boat tours on the Bras d'Or Lakes. From the Nelder's home, as you journey along the highway you will soon see a large sign welcoming you to Rita's Tea Room, which was at one time a little country school house and then years later the famous Rita Mac Neil's summer home.

Continuing on your way you will find the MacIntyre Bed and Breakfast operated by Ann and Eddie MacIntyre in Big Pond Center. This B&B borders MacIntyre Field, the site of the annual Big Pond Concert, and in 2001 the 37th Annual Big Pond Concert was held as usual in July. The concert, never ceases to create a highlight of music, singing and dance entertainment in Cape Breton.

Not far from MacIntyre's Field you should watch on your right for Big Pond Cottages owned and operated by Cyril and Anne MacPherson. You will find information on these lovely cottages when you click on the link above.

As your journey takes you along your way, before long you will reach the beautiful Big Pond Beach, bordered by the Parish Hall/Restaurant, now called the Old Big Pond Parish Hall Restaurant, with an adjoining picnic area. You may plan to spend some time here to enjoy the welcoming hospitality and the good food. Just above the hall the Big Pond Church welcomes visitors from near and far,and the regular services here have been complimented by "Pastoral Airs" that warm the heart with music and song. For many years now the Pastoral Airs have graced St. Mary's Church, Big Pond, sometime in July and often again in December.

On the hill next to the church once stood the Big Pond School, which for a few summers, was the home to Bald Eagle Tours. Originating with John Willie MacInnis, the tours guided interested travellers into the enjoyment of seeing wildlife and some of the delightful scenery of Big Pond along the Glen Gary Road. However, health problems for John brought an end to the tours. For many years readers of the Cape Breton Post are were delighted every Tuesday with John's weekly nature column. John's columns are now history, like the Big Pond School, which has given way to new life with the construction of a beautiful new Volunteer Fire Hall serving the community well.

Nearby Glen Gary Road once stood two historic local stores which served the area for decades. AA MacNeils' Store is now an historic memory, since it was torn down during the summer of 2001. AA's Store has gone and the long time propietor, AA Senior, has been called home to the Lord. This family store served the community forever (it seems). Just as AA's is now a memory,John MacLeod's Store and Gas Bar which long served the locals and the travelling public is now for sale.

Leaving Big Pond you will soon see the refreshingly beautiful Ben Eoin Beach area where there are full camping, tenting and recreational facilities. The Beach is located on a peninsula in salt water of Bras D'Or Lake in the village of Ben Eoin. Across from the beach a locally run restaurant called Me & The Mrs., sports an accompanying mini-put, while serving various needs of campers and travellers along Route 4. Approximately two miles further along the highway the Provincial Park and walking trail offers adventure, or respite in a peaceful setting. If you choose to walk the trail up the mountain you will certainly find the view refreshing and rewarding.

In 2004 a lovely new lodge opened in Ben Eoin. It is called "The Birches" and is a fine place to stay or come for a lovely meal.

When you reach SKI BEN EOIN, an active recreational area during the winter months, you have reached the site of the annual SUMMER FOLK & FIDDLE FESTIVAL which delights listeners in August every summer.
Ski Ben Eoin

You are approximately 15 miles from the City of Sydney when you enter East Bay where I grew up and where I have continued to live with my husband Ivan and our family. The bald eagles have made East Bay a nesting place as long as I can remember and there is an eagle's nest up behind our home in East Bay. We are fortunate to watch the eagles come and go throughout the year and to witness the young eagles learning to fly when it is time to find their way around.

While driving through East Bay the picturesque setting of the restored historic Saint Mary's Church captures the interest of tourists inviting them to stop by for a visit. You may find yourself moved to offer a prayer, take some pictures, take a walk back in history, and perhaps you may also decide to take a dip in the Bras d'Or Lake at the Sandbar along Chapel Road behind the church.

Across from the church many local residents and travellers enjoy venturing along the hiking trial up in back of the parish hall. The history of this trail includes the French travelling from Louisbourg to St. Peters via this route many, many years ago. If you walk the trail, you are sure to enjoy the quiet beauty of nature.

Approximately another 1.5 miles along the highway, on your left next to the locally owned Chip Wagon, you will see on your left, the Eskasoni turnoff. Eskasoni is the largest First Nation's Reserve in NS and the home of many wonderful musicians, writers and artists.

If you continue travelling along Route #4 you will have gone almost five miles from St. Mary's Church, East Bay, and looking off to your right, the Morley Road offers a shortcut to Marion Bridge and the Wildlife Park along the Mira River and to the Fortress of Louisbourg.

However, if you continue along Route 4 towards Sydney River you might check out the activities at the Sydney Fork Recreation Center where 45's card games are held every Wednesday evening and various other events are held throughout the year.

Just after you pass the Sydney Forks Recreation Center you will see on your right, another Gas Station/corner store and a Motel in the background. These are at the corner of Route 4 Highway and the Meadows Rd. Also, situated across from the Motel on the Meadows Road is Taylor's Auto Repair And Towing Service where the owner Billy Taylor has served the community for many years. Further on along the highway watch for more accomodations in the Cabins, which are situated along Blackett's Lake.

When you reach the corner of the Blackett's Lake turnoff and pass the Mobile Home Dealership you will see a lovely Miniature Golf Course. Perhaps you'll make time to stop in and have a few rounds of golf.

After you pass what is commonly known as the Seven Mile Bridge and the East Bay Legion you will see Robertson's Ultramar Gas/Service Station and next to that Sheldon's Quick Way with an adjoining Tim Hortons Coffee Shop.

The next service center you see is on your left and this is Barrington's Wheel Alignment Service Center, which opened in the fall of 2000.

Driving on towards Sydney River residents and travellers are served by Tierney's Convenience Store/Sears Outlet on your left and then a little further along by an Irving Gas Station.

The Spanish River Community Center on your left is another point of interesting activity in District 11. The Center has a sign out in front indicating the various activities that keep many seniors busy throughout the week. In Sydney River, along with The Tasty Treat Dairy Bar, there is a lovely shop namedL. A. Hair Design. Nearby there is a Bakery and Pizza Shop on your left just in front of Ellerbrook's Nursery.

Not far from here are two more churches in District 11 where residents share fellowship and find spiritual nourishment; these churches are the Sydney River United Church and Our Lady of Fatima Church. During 1999 Our Lady of Fatima Parish celebrated their 50th Anniversary as an active parish in this community. You might check at the churches for activities of interest taking place throughout the year. During the summer months the tennis court next to the Fatima church, and on the ball field in behind the church, there is usually lots of fun activity.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST throughout the district are the Various Fire Halls in Big Pond (Fire destroyed the hall in the spring of 2001 and beautiful new hall is now up and running , East Bay and Howie Center, as well as the Legion in Howie Center. Often times during the summer months there are card games, dances, strawberry festivals and other such events that can add to the adventure of your Cape Breton vacation. Certainly by the time you come to the Sydney River Bypass at the end of District 11 you have enjoyed a picturesque and interesting journey through one of the many beautiful areas of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

(c) Viola Doncaster, March 1998 - Updated June 1, 2005.

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