TEXAS RANGER: Charlottetown, PEI to Havre Boucher, NS to Bras d'Or, NS July 26--31

    We got underway shortly after 0500 from Charlottetown after being rocked awake at 0300 by a large cargo ship passing by the marina. Our traveling companions soon discovered their engine to be running roughly, and asked us to continue while they circled back to the dock. They later solved the issue and followed us. We cleared the Charlottetown entrance, ran along the north (PEI) shore of the Northumberland Strait for awhile, and then crossed east of Pictou Island over to the south shore, passing Cape George and entering St. George’s Bay about 1400. We were moving so well, and the day was so good weather-wise, that we crossed to the southeast corner of the bay and anchored in Havre Boucher. This was a quiet, protected spot and allowed close access to the Strait of Canso, which we entered about 0820 the following morning.
     We moved south to where the Canso Causeway, a rock-based two-lane causeway crosses the strait, and entered the lock. There was only mild wind, so we were allowed to hover in the middle of this large lock until we were lowered, and the causeway bridge across the south end of the lock was opened. We then departed, traveling along the remainder of the Strait of Canso until our departure eastward into Lennox Passage.   Since it had been overcast all morning, the temperature was not too high for the Burnt Island Bridge to lift, and we proceeded on to St. Peter Canal. We entered the St. Peter Lock about 1300, and after departing it the lockmasters drove ahead to open the swing bridge which allowed us to pass into the Bras d’Or Lakes about 1400. These “lakes”, nestled in the heart of Cape Breton Island, have some of the prettiest scenery in Canada. We traveled up the lake about seven miles before settling on an anchorage for the evening.   Our anchorage in Damion’s cove was a little less protected than ideal, and so the next day in anticipation of rough weather we moved around the corner to an anchorage at Cape George Harbour. It was a beautiful spot, and much better protected when the major winds and rain came that night. The following day we moved back down the lakes to St. Peter’s Marina where I repaired their Wi-Fi for them, and then toured beautiful Cape Breton Island by car.
     There were some stunning vistas on the Cabot Trail drive, but many seaside views have been overgrown by trees and therefore limited. We rode a cable ferry, and stopped at the quaint village of Baddeck to tour the Alexander Graham Bell museum. Baddeck was the location of a great deal of his post-telephone research, and here his team developed an airplane and a hover-craft, both shown below. Also in the photos are some interesting items…miniature (by Texas standards) pine cones and a couple of bookstands…at least I suppose that is what they are. They are present everywhere in Canada with large tomes hanging from them. I never see anyone reading the books, though…???