7/14/08
Red Bay, Labrador.
Our transit west in the Strait of Belle Isle was not an easy one. Knowing that the winds would be right on our nose we elected to motor to Red Bay in order to arrive in advance of 30 kt. winds forecast to begin @ midnight. The wind funnels right down the Strait and steep seas build quickly. Bowdoin struggled to push through this sea and a wind driven current. At times it looked like what should have been a 10 hr. passage was going to take over 24 hrs. Fortunately we got a break shortly after 2000 as the wind died down and we made good progress, anchoring @ 0230 this morning. The town has some historic signifigance as a whaling port with several ship wrecks being recovered in the harbor. We have sent a "recon" group ashore to assess the availability of water and possibly getting to the neighboring town of L'anse au Loup for propane and some fresh produce This would allow for a departure from here without the need to stop until reaching the Bras d'Or Lakes. We will begin this leg to Cape Breton Island. tomorrow. On shore we can see the first trees we have seen since being in St. Johns over a month ago! The crew is well and anxious to find phones and internet ashore.

7/15/08
Position 51 41.3N 56 26.9W Departed Red Bay @0845 local time. We spent yesterday at anchor in Red Bay waiting out 30 kt. winds and getting the crew some time to explore the historic town. We were able to take on water via 5 gl. jugs and Chris Moore took a propane bottle ashore and got a ride to L'anse au Loup to fill the bottle. The ride became a tour and he returned with pictures of the Red Bay winter and many stories. Most of the crew had dinner at a local diner. We are bound for Bras d'Or Lakes and hope to arrive in 3 or 4 days. Local forecasts are calling for moderate SW winds, so we will beat our way south in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Sometime today we will log 4000nm traveled since departing Castine!

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