Leaving Chaleur Bay

Captain Roy awoke around 6:30 am on Saturday and saw that we had no swells. So off we go at 7 am off the dock and into the sunrise. The Gulf was so peacefull. The sun shining on the water. The air is crisp as the sail went up. As I was speaking to Jacob, Nate, Tara and Mike on speaker phone a huge whale was off the stern of the boat. It's so amazing to see this first hand and every time feels like it's a first. The wind slowly came up as we sailed. I actually put shorts on and short sleeve top. The weather has finally turned.

As we sailed we actually saw the sunset for the first time in two weeks. I love watching the sunset. It's so tranquil. That night, we saw a full moon lighting up the Gulf. What a site. Sailing with a full moon is priceless.

Since we are in unknown waters it's hard for Roy to relax or sleep. We usually takes shifts and he sleeps down in the cabin but he can't leave the cockpit. We had a long discussion about this last night. I guess sailing around Gaspe has made him apprehensive enough to never want to be out of touch.

I was speaking with my son, Tom, and my daughter-in-law, Ashley, when we started see lobster traps. Oh does Tom and Roy's daughter Rochelle remember lobster traps in Key West! We actually got stuck and Roy in high winds had to dive in and cut the prop free. We thought we saw a lot in the Keys. Let me tell you we had lobster traps every five hundred feet from about 2pm until 10 that evening. The water temperature is 68, but who wants to go cut a lobster trap off in the dark. Guess who is the only one who has a full long wet suit? That's right, me. So you know who has to go in. So I sat up at the bow with a walkie talkie and spolight for 3-4 hours that night. Better safe than sorry! The moon was actually still full so it made it easier to spot them after the cloud cover lifted after 10. When the wind was blowing, we were making 6-7 knots SOG, so we had to be quick to avoid running over them.

Full Moon Sailing!

Lighthouse coming in to Charlotte, Prince Edward Island

Roy: The westerly wind continued to be elusive for us on this trip to PEI. We had three other stops marked, but with the wind, sun, full moon and want for distance, we just kept pushing on. The wind was right on the nose for all but 4 hours of the trip, so we sailed 225 miles in 55 hours. If it wasn't for the water warming 20 degrees to 67F, we probably would have to stop at night.

While sailing under full moon, I remembered what a nice couple we met from Rochester said. She feels that the stars are her past relatives shining down on her. So, I said a prayer for those that we have lost. Another prayer for those that are suffering. Than I said a selfish prayer for Yammy and I to have a nice sail and forget the hardships of the Gaspe Peninsula.

The dockmaster in L'Anse-a-Beaufils, said that they have not seen this type of weather in the 20 years he has been there. I was reading the New England cruising guide and it said if you like to sail in shorts, stay south of Cape Cod. That is our plan from now on. We just need to get there soon.

The trip to PEI was idyllic sailing, mixed with a few thunderstorms and headwinds. Typical sailing trip. Selfish prayer answered.