Yesterday was an uneventful motor sailing day. We came in and anchored near Lisbon in a fairly wide

We entered the St. Peters Canal Locks early yesterday afternoon and after being lowered about 2 feet, passed through into the Bras d'Or Lakes. The lock tenders were friendly and informative and gave us information brochures midtown madness 2 downloads on the St. Peters Canal and on the adjacent marina. It took 15 years to blast the 2500 foot long canal through solid granite and was finished in 1869. The Bras d'Or Lakes have a natural opening midtown madness 2 downloads to the sea in the far northeast end. The canal provides a manmade opening at the southwest end.
I've complained about having to motor sail every day and have been remiss in not reporting how smooth and easy the trip has been. We've been blessed with one blue sky day after another with any rain coming in the evening when we are at anchor. Yesterday was the first day we've had any spray over the bow and it was minor. Also, the water temperature has been increasing. We must be back in the Gulf Stream where it hits Nova Scotia and finally gets turned east towards England. A few weeks ago we had 45 deg F water and now it's 20 degrees warmer. And now the wind blowing across the water is warmer also. So, all things considered, we've had an easy trip East; so far.
Yesterday we sailed into a little bay called Port Howe for the night. In the first inlet we went into looking for a place to anchor the water was 45 feet deep almost up to the bank. We would have had to put out 150 feet of anchor chain and the inlet wasn't that wide. We turned around and went to another place in the bay our Cruising Guide had mentioned. Our electronic midtown madness 2 downloads charts were worthless in the far end of the bay where we were headed. All the chartplotter showed was the dark blue indicating shallow water and no depths were listed. We slowly passed several islets still in 40 feet of water with the shoreline 100 feet away. We really wanted to anchor in this narrow end of the bay. The rocky tree covered hills came right down to the water on both sides and the islets blocked weather from the other direction. We kept creeping midtown madness 2 downloads into the ever narrower body of water and finally got the depth meter up to 22 feet. At high tide it would be 26 feet and we would normally put out at least 75 feet of chain for that depth of water. If we put out that much chain, our stern would be on the rocks if the wind blew hard from either side of the inlet. We REALLY wanted to anchor in this little hidey hole. It was one of the most beautiful midtown madness 2 downloads spots we have ever had the boat. The weather forecast was for mild conditions so we shortened scope and only put out 50 feet of chain. Patti backed us down hard and the anchor didn't budge. We were secure and the rocks were at least 20 feet from our boat.
While we were finishing up anchoring the boat, a very large black bird flew right over us. As it flew away we saw its white tail and white head. It was a Bald Eagle. midtown madness 2 downloads Once we had the boat secured we sat on the foredeck and watched the eagle return and then it landed in a tree top about 200 yards away. A second eagle then flew over us. At this time Kalko was up forward enjoying the sunshine with us and I had a bad feeling the eagle was eyeballing the cat thinking she would make a tasty snack. I sometimes refer to Kalko as "Emergency Rations" but have no desire to share her with an eagle. We made sure both Patti and I didn't go below and leave Kalko on the exposed foredeck. I think Kalko may have been aware of the eagle as she was tucked in between Patti and I when we were sitting on the foredeck and then moved to a spot beside the mast where she was surrounded by stuff that would have prevented any swooping pickups by a large bird.
When we first anchored we noticed the pine tree smell in the air. As evening approached the smell got stronger until it was like being in a house at Christmas with a brand new, fresh Christmas tree. What else could we ask for in an anchorage? Beautiful scenery in all directions, Bald Eagles flying around us, seals poking their heads up to look at us, floating in dead calm water and a wonderful aroma in the air. Patti declared it a "Two Gush" anchorage. I agreed.
We are now sailing (slowly) across Chedabucto Bay going from Canso, Nova Scotia to St. Peter, Cape Breton Island. When we get to Cape Breton we will either stop for the day or go through the St. Peter Canal into the Bras d'Or Lakes. Time will tell. Oh, by the way; (giving credit where credit is due) it's another blue sky, (almost) midtown madness 2 downloads warm, beautiful day.
Yesterday was an uneventful motor sailing day. We came in and anchored near Lisbon in a fairly wide inlet off the windward shore. There were some houses on the far bank and we had more small boats go by us at our anchorage then we have seen in a long time. Of course it may have been six boats total that went by so it wasn't what you would call a traffic jam. It's just that since we left Maine, we don't see many other boats. Later, a sailboat from Massachusetts came in just before midtown madness 2 downloads sunset and as they went by (after seeing our Texas hailing port); called over "Howdy midtown madness 2 downloads Partner". They anchored a half mile away further up the inlet.
We got underway early again today and will be motor sailing again all day; probably. This motor sailing is getting old but with any luck tomorrow midtown madness 2 downloads may be a sailing day and then the following day we could be entering the Bras d'Or Lakes. Then we will kick back and take it easy for awhile.