Meat Cove magic: Eclipse watchers get special show in northern Cape Breton
It was like the cosmos aligned for a truly special event in a special place.
Monday’s total eclipse passed over only the smallest slice of Nova Scotia – the northern Cape Breton community of Meat Cove - a place that feels like the edge of the earth.
"That was completely incredible. I was not prepared for how amazing that was going to be. That was miraculous!” said Kelly Klein, moments after witnessing the total eclipse.
With the kind of stunning cliffside ocean scenery the Cape Breton Highlands are known for, Nova Scotia’s northernmost community made for a picturesque place for an eclipse pilgrimage.
A roughly three-hour drive north of Sydney, Meat Cove is one of the most remote communities in the Maritimes.
"It's the end of the road, so it's a spectacular place to come see something like this,” said Keith MacLeod, who drove up from New Glasgow, N.S.m, to witness the event.
The distance didn't stop hundreds from parking along the only road in and out of the community, including one couple all the way from Massachusetts.
"We've always wanted to go to Nova Scotia, so we thought 'Why not make a Carly Simon trip out of it?’” said Jeanine Duchaney, who added she and her travel partner planned to visit many other locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
People who live in the local area seemed to enjoy their community's moment in the sun – or, perhaps more accurately, out of it.
"Meat Cove is a pretty special little spot,” said Melissa Hines, who, along with her mother, spent the afternoon hosting a fundraising tea and social to celebrate the eclipse and raise funds in memory of her father. "We all get to experience this together, right? As a community, as Cape Breton Island, as a province."
For many, it was their first time laying eyes either on Meat Cove or a total eclipse.
When the mountain scenery finally descended into mid-afternoon darkness, roars of excitement went up from the crowds lining the mountainside, beach and nearby campground.
Minutes later, when the sun started to reappear, it dawned on people they had witnessed something incredible.
"Because it's once-in-a-lifetime, man. I love coming to Meat Cove, and especially for a good reason,” said Rick Carabin, who, along with at least eight family members, made the drive from Sydney.
In a place where land meets ocean - and for one day, moon met sun - the stars aligned for a spectacular experience.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Some structural damage' from wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., mayor confirms
More than one home has been damaged or lost due to a massive wildfire outside of the B.C. community of Fort Nelson, the mayor confirmed Wednesday.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver says he got a cellphone ticket for using his points app in the drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
B.C. YouTuber ordered to pay $350K for 'relentless' online defamation campaign
An 'unrepentant' YouTuber has been ordered to pay $350,000 in damages as compensation for a 'relentless' campaign of defamation waged online against a business owner and his company, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Chief says grave search at B.C. residential school brings things 'full circle'
Chief Robert Michell says relief isn't the right word to describe his reaction as the search begins for unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school he attended in northern British Columbia.
'Endless Shrimp' just one misstep for Red Lobster as it eyes bankruptcy protection
While it's unclear what these closures might mean for the 27 restaurants in Canada, Red Lobster is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. this month.
B.C. man shot sex worker in the back during drug-fuelled birthday, court hears
A man from B.C.'s Lower Mainland has been sentenced to four years behind bars after shooting a sex worker in the back during a drug-fuelled 43rd birthday.
'Inhumane conditions': 68 dogs pulled from Winnipeg home
Nearly six dozen dogs were seized from a home Wednesday morning by the Winnipeg Humane Society. It is the largest known seizure of animals in the city’s history.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Of the $40-million Aiden Pleterski was handed over two years, documents show he invested just over one per cent and instead spent $15.9 million on "his personal lifestyle." The 25-year-old Oshawa, Ont. man was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on Tuesday.
Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers
A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more, according to an arrest report unsealed Wednesday.