Sailing True North

Days 34 & 35 – On the Road Again

To get our sea legs back, we planned an easy 34 nautical mile sail from Gaspé to the little fishing town of Grande Rivière. The day was spectacular, warm and sunny with perfect winds that enabled us to sail a beam reach to our destination. The highlight of this trip was the close up view of Rocher Percé. Although we had seen the rock from land, seeing it majestically pop up in the water along a periwinkle blue sky was breathtaking.

We reached Grande Rivière, a picturesque fishing village, in the early afternoon. As usual, the people that greeted us were friendly and happy to chat with us about our adventure and about their port. It featured a well stocked cantina catering to local fisherman and their families. Dan and I had dinner here that night with our friends, Cheri and Jon, and the portions of food were astonishing. We felt like part of the fishing community. We ordered a family bag of pommes frites which was literally a very large brown paper grocery bag of freshly made fries that could feed a family of twenty. After dinner, we waddled to Cheri and Jon’s boat, African Queen IV, to watch the movie, Snatch. Then we waddled home and went to sleep knowing that the next day would be a doozy.

At dinner, we decided to do two long sailing days of about 80 nautical miles per day, moving us from the province of Québec to New Brunswick and finally to Prince Edward Island, which are in the Atlantic time zone (UTC – 4H). The challenge of this leg of the trip would be the first day when the waves were expected to be up to six feet and the wind up to 30 knots. However, since it would be a while until we had winds in the right direction again, we decided this would be the best weather window for the passage.

Well of all the days for the quirky weather forecast to be spot on, did it have to be this one? Although sunny and warm, the Gulf of St. Lawrence seemed angry and agitated. However, True North stepped up to the challenge, plowing through the waves at over 8 knots, and keeping us safe, although at times the motion and waves crashing over the bow tried our nerves. Our reward came a couple of hours before we anchored as the waves and wind settled down and we glided into Miramichi Bay, New Brunswick, an idyllic isolated beach and perfect anchor spot. Ahhh! Now comes Miller Time!

Sailing by Rocher Percé for another look
Grande Rivière fishing port
Captain Sandy holding her steady
Sunset at Miramichi Bay, NB
Crossing Chaleur Bay… hold on to your hats!

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Sandy Kerpelman

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5 responses to “Days 34 & 35 – On the Road Again”

  1. Douglas Foss Avatar
    Douglas Foss

    I’m curious about missions. You’ve met many sailing along your course and have had time to relax and converse, both as to logistics and strategies, as well as to more personal topics. What aspects do this diverse group have in common as to their reasons for establishing their missions and fulfilling them? Conversely, how are yours different, if in any respect? Finally, are these various folks taking from their adventure different rewards (not the financial kind, but rather the personal and spiritual kind)?

    I see in the photos a wide array of ages and what looks like very different personalities. Of course, the presence of children in the one vessel marks that as likely notably different, but maybe les so than one naturally would suppose. I’m just curious as to how people process such events and environments.

    Reply
    1. dkerpnc Avatar
      dkerpnc

      Hi Doug, Some good and challenging questions, Here’s an attempt at answers:

      – Aspects in common: Love of sailing, the outdoors, adventure, meeting great people, breaking with “normal” life routine, and being part of a community that, although somewhat privileged, offers a respite from the anger, violence, hatred and divisiveness that are creeping into society and daily life.
      – How are ours different: Many are going on to the Caribbean or beyond, and spending years. We are doing it in three-month stints and getting back to “normal” life the rest of the year.
      – Rewards: Being able to see the world differently, gaining balanced perspective from diverse encounters, learning how to solve problems, from nature and from others (whether practical best-practices or philosophies), learning to overcome challenges and fear, to name a few.

      Although we didn’t ask explicitly, I believe the family with young children are giving them a gift of a reality-based education and experiences that will form them as adults, making them stronger, more independent and more resourceful.

      Reply
  2. Douglas Foss Avatar
    Douglas Foss

    The qualities and perspectives you describe likely characterized explorers of the 16th and 17th centuries, and more than likely those who have explored throughout history, the exception perhaps being Odysseus. Many describe the feeling of freedom once away on the seas and the cares/concerns/tropes of larger society on land. The exploration is both of the natural world and of the self. I’ve seen a strong mix of that in you and Sandy. Maybe a need to be captain of one’s own course through life in general.

    Reply
  3. Larry Kerpelman Avatar
    Larry Kerpelman

    Love the action shot of Cap’n Sandy, who seems to be in full command even in rough seas. Way to go, Sandy!

    Reply
    1. dkerpnc Avatar
      dkerpnc

      Thanks, Larry! San

      Reply

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