August 25                 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

John arrived as promised to assist us in pumping out the holding tank.  Red lights in the heads had indicated the tank was almost filled.  We now had taken care of all the basics.  Our holding tank was empty, our fuel tanks were full, and we had an ample supply of water on board.  Upon reaching the Strait, I went to the aft deck to check if all lines had been secured and discovered we had snagged a long length of rope which may have been adrift in the marina.  As this posed a potential danger to the props, David stopped the engines and brought in the rope with a bow hook.  One end was caught, presumably on the damaged bow thruster, but did not seem to impair its function.  The rope became disengaged shortly afterwards and we were able to pull it from the water.

Carefully evading the lobster traps in the Strait, we charted our course across to Prince Edward Island.  Charlottetown is the provincial capital of PEI and is considered a prime destination for boaters because of its large harbor and many attractions. Enroute we were excited to cruise under the magnificent Confederation Bridge which unites PEI with New Brunswick and extends more than eight miles across the Strait.  With its long row of column-like supports and arc-shaped spans, it resembles a Roman aqueduct.  Recognized as an outstanding engineering accomplishment, it is both beautiful and functional.

As we approached Charlottetown, the wind considerably diminished and our cruise was smooth and straightforward.  Heeding warnings, we carefully avoided the large shoal extending out into the entrance channel.  With deep water, we easily docked at Charlottetown Yacht Club, located only a few blocks from the bustling downtown area.  Ready to get off the boat, we quickly walked to the main street and perused the small shops lining the sidewalks, the war memorials in the park, and the few historical sites.  We also read the posted restaurant menus to find the best place for PEI mussels.

As the provincial capital, Charlottetown had many court buildings and offices for solicitors/attorneys.  It also had a large and impressive cultural center and art museum featuring mostly regional artists.  Fans of Anne of Green Gables, a popular book for girls, make pilgrimages to the local shops stocking merchandise related to the book and to the play that tells the story of this small heroine of PEI.

 The streets were busy with cars, motorcycles, and people, many who appeared to be tourists who came to Charlottetown by the large chartered buses parked nearby.  We decided Sim’s Corner would be our choice for dinner.  An outdoor table was available and we enjoyed some great people-watching.  The restaurant featured local seafood, Canadian prime beef, and vegetables from the area.  David had oysters and declared them to be superb. We both enjoyed large bowls of mussels in garlic and white wine sauce.  PEI mussels are noted for their distinctive flavor and tenderness.  Ours did not disappoint.