Achi news desk-
It was like the cosmos aligned for a truly special event in a special place.
Monday’s total eclipse passed over just the tiniest bit of Nova Scotia – the northern Cape Breton community of Meat Cove – a place that feels like the edge of the earth.
“That was absolutely amazing. I wasn’t prepared for how amazing that was going to be. That was miraculous!” said Kelly Klein, moments after seeing the total eclipse.
With the kind of spectacular cliffside views that the Cape Breton Highlands are known for, Nova Scotia’s northernmost community made for a beautiful place for an eclipse pilgrimage.
About three hours’ 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 and see something like this,” said Keith MacLeod, who drove up from New Glasgow, NSm, to see 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 that she and her travel partner plan to visit many other locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
People living in the local area seemed to be enjoying 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 tea and social night to celebrate the eclipse and raise money in memory of her father. “We’re all experiencing this together, right? As a community, as Cape Breton Island, as a province.”
For many, this was their first time laying eyes on either Meat Cove or a total eclipse.
When the mountain scenery finally fell into mid-afternoon darkness, a roar of excitement went up from the crowds on the mountainside, the beach and the nearby campsite.
Minutes later, when the sun began to reappear, it dawned on people that they had seen 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, had made the trip from Sydney.
In a place where land meets ocean – and for one day, the moon met the sun – the stars aligned for a spectacular experience.
