Days 43 & 44 – Searching for Seals

We continue to make our way across our third Maritime province, Nova Scotia, trying to get to Halifax before the unfavorable winds settle in. Over the last two days, we have sailed over 120 nautical miles so, needless to say, most of our time has been on the water.

After saying goodbye to our new friends, Hélène and Benoît from Québec City, and loading up with diesel fuel and water, we began the next leg of our journey on the Canso Canal on our way to the Atlantic Ocean. While in the canal, we were entertained by some camera shy and evasive seals that played Where’s Waldo with us. They would pop their heads up as if to say hello, we would get our camera ready, and poof, they would disappear before we could snap a picture.

After playing hide and seek with the seals, we suddenly found ourselves on the Atlantic Ocean with wonderful gentle rolling swells that turned the sailboat into a surf board and propelled us forward.

Finally, after sailing about 60 nautical miles, we arrived at a deserted anchorage, Louse Harbor, where it was just us, our buddy boat, African Queen IV, and once again, seals. This time, we could see a huge group sunning themselves about 50 yards (46 meters) away from our anchored boat. But just as we got our dinghy ready to get a little closer to snap a picture, two motor boats flew by us toward the seals and scared them all away. Ugh! But we did have a beautiful dinghy ride through an amazing inlet with rocky landscape and fluorescent yellow foliage. The seals, while not posing on the rocks, were happy to play hide and seek with us from the water.

We then had Dan’s famous Old Bay barbecued chicken.

On Monday, we left Louse Harbor bright an early (well maybe not so bright, but definitely early) to continue Southwest toward Halifax. We pulled into Beaver Harbor to anchor for the night.

Avoiding publicity
Don’t sail over this!

Catching African Queen IV


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6 responses to “Days 43 & 44 – Searching for Seals”

  1. Hélène Hernandez & Benoît Tardif Avatar
    Hélène Hernandez & Benoît Tardif

    C’était vraiment super de faire un bout de chemin en votre compagnie, vous êtes un couple adorable !
    Un coeur sur 2 pattes 😉
    Au plaisir de se revoir, qui sait!
    xx

    1. dkerpnc Avatar

      Un plaisir partagé. Vous êtes 2 coeurs sur 4 pattes :-)!! Au plaisir de notre prochain rencontre. D’ici là, bonne navigation. Bisous.

  2. Joe DiVincenzo Avatar
    Joe DiVincenzo

    Hi Dan and Sandy.
    I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following your adventures. What a wonderful adventure!
    One thing I don’t think I asked. What is your plan once you get to Portland?

    1. dkerpnc Avatar

      Hi Joe, Thanks for your message. Glad you’re enjoying the blog. We plan to find a yard in or near Portland that can haul out the boat and provide some services. We’ll leave her there for the winter, then pick her up next season to continue to explore New England, making our way down to New York and ultimately back to Rochester via the Hudson and canals. Hope you’re well and keeping up the teaching. Best, Dan & Sandy

  3. meera Laurijssen Avatar
    meera Laurijssen

    The “True North doing what she does best” is your poster picture for sure. Hoping to hear more when next we meet. Currently in VS for a month.

    1. dkerpnc Avatar

      Enjoy Valais, Meera. We’ll be back in Europe in October and hope to see you then.

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