Heading West Toward the Sunrise Coast

We spent two days at St. Peters Marina on the Bras d’ Or Lakes waiting for our “weather window” to reopen.  A lovely spot with a nice little town, it was a pleasant stay.  While there we attended the fundraiser for heart and stroke, a 30 person bicycle contest.  The bicycle, built on a bus frame, was modified to accommodate one driver plus 29 who provided pedal power.  The enthusiastic teams made it a fun event.  

Twenty Nine Person Bike

The Team On the Bicycle

The day the weather improved, the marina cleared out, we locked back out into St. Peters Bay and headed west to the mainland of Nova Scotia.  

Heading Into St. Peters Canal

Locking Through

Heading Into St. Peters Bay

The seas were calm until we reached the shoreline where we began to see white caps.  Moving closer to shore we searched for smoother water.  There are many rocks and shoals along the Nova Scotia coast and we successfully navigated through them as we headed to our destination of Liscomb Harbor.

Liscomb Harbor Light

 The sun was low in the sky as we entered the anchorage, a lovely spot to drop the hook for the night.  

 

A Peaceful Anchorage

A Gorgeous Morning

Departing at sunrise the weather was even better, the seas were nearly flat and it was a beautiful trip into Halifax Harbor.  

Nearly Flat Seas of the North Atlantic

Horse Shoe Light at the Entrance to Halifax Harbor

It is always interesting coming into a new port.  All of the charts and electronics that we carry on board cannot always prepare us to locate the actual dock that is our destination.  Halifax Harbor was no exception.  Calling the marina as we entered the harbor we got a good description of what to look for and headed to the dock.  

Entering Halifax, Locating the Dock

We spotted a reserved sign and headed there.  As we got close, Leslie could read the fine print, it was reserved for a 54’ sailboat! We tied up long enough to survey the location and find our assigned slip.  
When we arrived at Summerside, Prince Edward Island some weeks ago, we encountered another boat named ‘Somewhere’.  In all of the years and all of the places we have boated, this was the first time that this has happened.  We met the owners and discovered they had chosen the name for the same reason we had, the song from ‘West Side Story’ with lyrics that had spoken to us.  Since departing Prince Edward Island we have been hop-scotching along with them and here we had tied up in the slip reserved for them!  As we pulled away, they sailed into the harbor.  We radioed to them to advise them of their slip location as we headed to our own, just around the corner on the same dock.  

The Other 'Somewhere' is Around the Corner, Out of View

Halifax is a lovely city, a mix of well-kept historic buildings and modern architecture along a vibrant waterfront with a busy commercial harbor.  Founded in 1749 by Edward Cornwallis who recognized the potential as a strategic military location, Halifax remains the principal naval outpost on Canada’s east coast.  The Halifax Citadel offers a commanding view of the harbor.  

 

View From the Citadel

Bagpipe Player at the Citadel

Old Town Clock, 1803, Commissioned by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to Discourage Tardiness

Theodore Tug Offered Harbor Tours

The Maritime Museum had an interesting exhibit on the rescue and recovery efforts after the sinking of the Titanic only 700 miles off the shores of Halifax.  We enjoyed our time in Halifax very much and it was with some regret that we cast off the lines and headed on our way.  With one eye on the weather, we believed we had possibly two traveling days available before our weather window closed again.  

 

St Georges Island in Halifax Harbor

A Curious Harbor Seal Pops Up to Watch Us Pass

As we departed the harbor we spotted a submarine ahead, the Canadian Navy was conducting some kind of operation so we altered course to stay well away.  

Canadian Submarine

Soon We Were Entering a Fog Bank

Departing under bright sunny skies, we were not expecting the dense fog bank that we could see looming ahead.  The forecast called for ”fog patches, dissipating by noon”. 

Battery Point, Entrance to Lunenburg Harbor

Lunenburg Harbor

As we entered Lunenburg Bay, the fog subsided and by the time we arrived at the dock in Lunenburg, the sun was shining brightly.  A picturesque seafaring town, Old Town Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site having been recognized as “the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America”.  With many beautifully restored homes and shops it is quite charming.  

Brightly Painted Storefronts

Central United Church of Lunenburg circa 1882

Beautifully Restored Historic Buildings

 

Main Street, Lunenburg

The Fisherman's Memorial

The fog settled in thickly overnight and when we awoke we realized our departure was in jeopardy.

Fog in the Harbor

The fog lifted then settled back in again all morning and just as we had decided that it was not to be, the fog lifted again yielding a bright, sunny sky with a favorable forecast for the seas.  Departing Lunenburg we had traveled about ten miles when the fog again descended on us.   

Heading Into the Fog

We were traveling with two other boats and maintained a one half mile separation, keeping an eye on each other by radar and radio.  It was an uneventful trip into Liverpool where the forecast strong winds finally caught up with us.

Brooklyn Yacht Club Near Liverpool, Nova Scotia

A Nice Park Where Hali Could Run