*Thankyou for your wonderful hospitality, sangriaand conversation. Have felt very much at home. Hope you have a brilliant summer.* ~`Amanda

*You make us feel right at home from the moment we walked through the door. Thankyou so much for an amazing stay. I didn;t want to leave, will definetly recommend this Cape Breton backpackers to friends! Good luck for the season!* ~` Denise – Ireland

*I won’t be forgetting the past few days in a hurry. The beautiful wiew, your kindness, good humour and company have made it a certainty that I will come back over the summer. See you again soon!* ~` Leanne

*You rocked our worlds. You made our trip huge! See you real soon!* ~` Kim & Sam, NZ

*Nice ‘home’ like feeling hostel!! The Salty Bear tour was great as well!* ~` Jellie

*Thankyou for the awesome place to stay. I had alot of fun here at this Cape Breton backpackers and all the first time Salty Bears of 2009!* ~` Ash, Ottawa

*This is the most fab place ever!I loved every minute here and I wish I’d never have to leave… I’ll be back!” “ Anne, Denmark

*Thanks for the welcome and the great company. ‘d tell anyone who’s thinking about Cape Breton to go for the Bear on the Lake hostel experience.* ~` Ruth

*This wasn’t like a hostel, more of a mate’s place. Many good times were had…
I heart Bannock!!!
I heart Bear on the Lake!!!
I heart Kat!!! *       ~` Remmy ->Australia

*This place is a breath of fresh air! we had a fantastic time! Agus go raibm mile maith Agat! Best of Luck!* ~`David/ Romould/Audrey

*Kat is the best friend you could ask for! This place is great! Thanks to Stef, FiFi, Heiko, Jenny, Kat, Yves, Conny & especially Dickhouse! till next time, Peace!* Ben M – Ottawa

*Never knew one could live on Bannock & Sangria only … I loved it here and maybe, maybe I’ll be back. Remember? You always meet twice!* ~` Steffi, who finally gets to go West!

*What an exquisite place to stay! Clean & beautiful in every way. Would definetly stay agan ad stay longer. You’ve done a great job with this place and we wish you all great sucess in the future!* ~` Bernice & Katie

*Kat, you’ve been a fantastic host. Had a fantastic stay. Beds were so comfortable. Hope you have a really busy summer. I’ll spread the word to my fellow travelers.* ~` Colin, Australia

*thanks for an awesome stay. We had the best time!! It was abslutely beautiful!! Loved it!! With love ~` Clement, Cyntia, Fiona & Annie

*This has been one of the best by far – and we have been to a few! Thanks you!* ~`Chris & Rich, NZ

*What an amazing weekend! we’ll be back!* ~` The gang at CLLC

*Thanks for a warm & cozy place to rest my weary body for a rainy night.* ~` Alex Grove – cycle touring from Victoria, BC via Anchor Point Alaska to Cape Spear, Nfld.     —  hikerbiker.org —

*Thanks for making us feel so at home! This is a wonderful place and the warm atmosphere makes it awesome. We will always remember the Thanksgiving dinner here and hope that if we come back, to see you again! Have a great winter!* Anna & Phil

*Not so much a ‘hostel’ but a home! Good luck with the travels & I hope the 2009 season is as fabulous!* ~ Tessa, Sarah & Sue

*Great people! Loved my first hostel adventure!* ~` Belinda

*An extraordinary place which I will remember as an integral part of my trip through Cape Breton. Thanks you for all the excellent suggestions and tips! ~` Brigitte, Switz.

*Our best night in the Maritimes! Although the rain brought us here we found lots of sunshine… a truely warm welcome, comfy visit and lots of info to make our stay even more memorable.* ~` Daph & Louis

*Awesome hostel – and game of “I have never”! At least, I think so…*~` Leanne, UK

*Thanks for a great stay & some interesting tales around the bonfire!” ~` MArtin , Ireland

Thanks Kat! We had an amazing time here. so beautiful.Thanks too for the sunrise hike . we’re off to see a bear! Love ~` Linda, Australia

*Thanks for an awesome 2 nights Kat! Keep in touch and will see you in Kiwiland sometime soon! Enjoy those camfires & Sangria!* ~` Lee, NZ

*

* Great spot here! Sangria night is awesome. Thanks for your hospitality.* ~`Lucas & Audrey, Quebec

*Wonderful place! The hostess is incredibly welcoming & a lovely young woman- you go girl! Great vibe… ou’d be mad not to stay!* ~` The 3 Barrs – - Australia

*Pleasant stay. Very handy to the Cabot Trail. Hostel is kept very neat & clean.* ~` Bruce & Loretta, Texas

*A perfect honeymoon destination! Thanks for all your kindness* ~` love Laura  Lucas – UK

*Thank you Kat for some nice times here in the Backpackers. I really enjoyed the atmosphere.” ~` Moritz, aka “Pretty Mo”

*One of the best welcomes I have ever had n a youth hostel. Nice accommodation, pretty lake. All was perfect.” ~`Joachim- France

*I enjoyed a lot the three nights in this fabulous hostel. It is a very nice place to sleep and to meet a lot of new people. I will not forget my hours in this hostel.* ~` Ramon, Barcelona

*Thanks so much. It is a great hostel in a superb location with great people. Thanks for the great hospitality, it definitely adds a lil more to your holiday when the host is friendly. I would love to come back, especially for Sangria night!* ~` Jade, NZ

*Is brúizht tgle-bhrèa i-seo. Maitean art ar an loch’ buheónach Zearn filleadh! Bha í íontach-bréa ann-seo. Póza do Chait, bean an taizhe. Slán is beannacho,* ~` Marcus (our Gaelic speaking German!)

*Two Kiwis have really appricaited the warm welcome and boundless hospitality here. A great spot to relax & enjoy! A must stay place for all travelers!* ~`Jim & Aileen, NZ

*After many months of traveling, whata feeling it is to step right back at home. That’s what this wonderful hostel feels like. Couldn’t ask for a better place to stop over at. thanks for the hospitality and having a few beers. Cheers* – Dave http://where-is-webby.blogspot.com/

* Thanks very much Bear on the Lake. Ask Kat about her Dolly Parton impression *  ~` Chris Ferguson -UK

*I am never playing “I have Never” again!    ~` Jess Pilz – Australia

*Without a shadow of a doubt Cape Breton is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it has the people to match it!” ~` Dirty Den – R. of N. Ireland

*Us Welsh girls has a fab time; racing down the Cabot Trail in our hire car! The views are gorgeous! Kat was extremely helpful & friendly. Cheers! Hopefully catch ya on facebook! ~` Anne & Denise  – Wales

*Thankyou Kat for the hospitality. Will see you again when I cme up to fish in the Margaree* ~` R Maybin – USA

*Had an amazing stay – the hostel here is amazing, lovely hike close by [Salt Mountain], and Kat is amazing! I feel refreshed leaving here!* ~` Melissa – New Zealand.

*When I first booked this trip I was very apprehensive. I wasn’t sure what to expect. This place was woderful the people staying here have definetly left footprints in my memory. Thanks for your hospitality!* ~` Preeti Hayre – Toronto , Canada

*This hostel is really nice! much different atmosphere than your typical hostel. Kat was very helpful and the scenery/location can’t be beat. I would defiently stay again!” ~` Phil Bond

*This hostel is my favourite by far! The scerenity is amazing! LoL ANd Kat is a great host!* Renee Barratt – Australia

*Amazing stars- thanks for the comfortable bed!* ~` Chris & Laura east coast Tour 08

*This was wonderful! The company is the only thing that surpasses the view. Thanks!* ~`Peraret Pitchler – USA

BANNOCK – /”bænek”/-  a flat bread, similar to a scone; cooked in pioneer days over open fires.
Variations in flours and the addtion of dried/fresh fruit make this bread the simple  yet versitile.  It’s the choice of Canadian campers even today.

~ …….SALT MOUNTAIN. 23h00.  LATE MAY…….~
It’s cool enough to be wearing a toque, and we’re cozied up by the bonfire.  An internationl crew of 3 Aussies,  a German & Canadian have been lodging here at our Cape Breton hostel. For the next week we’re their home base as they explore & hike their way through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.  After adventurous days they enjoy their routine of settling in around  the fire pit; beer in hand,  the stars above, and conversation then flows.  They’ve come to love the Canadian treat of Bannock – a bread dough wrapped around a stick, cooked over the open flame.

Sam (Australia) adds the final touch to a relaxing night with his guitar. Playing new favourites and forgotten rock hits – one realizes you sometimes don’t know how much you like a song until its played around a bonfire in the  light of the glowing flames.

…… and I can’t quite recall how it all came about…  importantly : Someone’s bannock caught on fire.
Had Sam just finished playing Sex on Fire [Kings of Leon] or was strumming the opening chords are tiny details.  A tongue-in- cheek suggestion was requested that a song could be re written.  Everyone laughed at the thought of Bannock knocking out the Sex. [Anyone who has stayed at Bear on the Lake this season quickly learns that I do not tire of the Kings of Leon ]

Quickly conversation moved on, but Sam kept strumming the chords of Sex on Fire.  Then, without warning, he rocked out with this :

~The Bannock Song~
sung to the tune of “Sex on Fire” by the Kings of Leon

V1          My fingers are sticky
My Stick if so Burnt
But I’m just Waitin’
Just waitin’

It seems like forever,
But I’ll sit here tonight
I can just taste it
Taste it

Ch     oh no-o! My bannock’s on fire!
And no-ow! I have a desire.

V2        Sittin’ by the fire,
Here at the Bear
It’s near Baddeck
That rhymes with Bannock
Watchin’ the fire,
It’s black & gold
Just like my bannock
My bannock

(repeat chorus)

Flip through the guestbook to see the lyrics Sam penned for yourself!    (May 28th, 2009)

Sam went onward to Newfoundland, and weeks later returned to Bear on the Lake, where we were entertained with new verses that included  the element of maple syrup, butter & an undying passion for bannock.

Come &  try the bannock for yourself… then let us know….  “Is Bannock better than Sex?”

XO fr Salt Mountain

Kat