Leaving Canada

We found that Shelburne, Nova Scotia, is not an easy town to leave, just like about half the population who claims Ontario to be their original home province. Our new alternator failed, and we had to wait for a replacement to be delivered from Bridgewater. Ready to go, but hurricane Gert was making waves in the Atlantic as she passed offshore. More waiting. The quest to move south must continue, so finally a weather and tide window emerged, and we left the safe harbour as advised, two hours before high tide in Shelburne so we would pass Cape Sable at slack ebb tide and catch the “Fundy Express” across to Maine!

As we rounded Cape Sable, I checked for a weather update, and the winds had changed for the worse, so we found a place nearby to hide out.

We anchored in Barrington Passage for the night to weather out a big wind.

Our plans would change again, almost like we were being lured to see more of this beautiful province!  Our weather and tide window shot, we instead made way to Yarmouth one day, and Westport on Brier Island the next. Both days involved waking in the dark and navigating with radar and chart-plotter for hours until the fog lifted or the day dawned. And this is how we are getting closer to crossing the imaginary line between Canada and the United States.

 

The light house on Cape Forchu outside of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Fishing boats in Yarmouth Harbour

Dawn on our way to Brier Island ant the tip of Nova Scotia's Digby Neck.

Lobstering is huge in Westport.

We were fortunate to catch a free mooring in Westport so we didn't have to contend with the tidal range.

We took a mooring in Westport Harbour at high tide and in 40 feet of water, and found hours later we were in only 15 feet. The scenery along the shoreline had changed so significantly with the change in tides! 

It was day 101 after leaving the North Channel Yacht Club, and we got our documentation in order to cross the border.  We reflected on our journey out of Canada, and all of the beautiful places we’ve seen and the wonderful people we’ve met. It was way beyond our expectations! On August 22, 2017, we will cross into the USA!.