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A sailing vacation at home

I shivered as I huddled deeper into my hoody and walked across the parking lot to join the small group assembled in the gazebo. After weeks of planning, the long-anticipated day had arrived and having managed to coordinate busy schedules, four friends were ready to embark on a mini-sailing holiday at home.

Together we made our way down the dock to the small sailboat. The self-appointed captain, happy to be on the water whatever the weather (and, may I point out, dressed in full raingear), was steadfast as he prepared the boat for departure. Feeling somewhat less than optimistic but resigned, I hopped aboard. After all, I reassured myself, the best thing about maritime weather is that change is guaranteed.

I quickly got busy down below, serving pre-takeoff mimosas to the group and a large coffee to the captain. We then left him standing out in the wet fog and huddled under the dodger for the trip to town. Not surprisingly, given the early morning hour and the lessthan-hospitable weather, we were alone on the water. Motoring out around the breakwater, I felt a haunting sense of connection with the generations of seafarers that came before me.

As we made our way under the MacKay Bridge, the wind began to pick up and we promptly set about hoisting the sails. With the motor off and the gentle sound of water lapping against the hull, the stress of busy schedules, children and work began to ease. Sailing under the MacDonald Bridge, I looked across and could almost see land on the Dartmouth side of the harbour. Sure enough, by the time the casino came into view, the sun broke through and rewarded us with a brilliant sunny day.

We tied up at a floating finger near the Xerox building and went in search of breakfast. A quick tour of the many choices on offer at The Harbourside Market had our mouths watering, but, in the end, we opted for the full Sunday morning brunch at a local hotel. Sitting out under a patio umbrella, we could just see the top of the mast of our little sailboat bobbing gently in the ferryboat wake.

Our appetites appeased, we wandered over to Historic Properties for a little shopping. The best thing about a vacation at home is that baggage restrictions need not apply; leaving us free to shop for whatever caught our fancy. Nevertheless, eager to be on our way we soon ended up back on the boat, packages stowed carefully below.

Out on the water, with the breeze freshening, we were doing an exhilarating seven knots as we passed McNabs Island. In the distance, we could see the tall ship Silva out for its first run of the day. With vivid white canvas standing out in sharp contrast to the dark hull, the majestic schooner evoked a sense of history and romance.

Suddenly, the captain gave a shout and pointed starboard. The stillness of the water was slowly displaced by the grey back of a whale. For a few brief minutes, he kept pace with the boat and we were silenced by the close up view of this magnificent creature before he disappeared for parts unknown.

Bringing the boat around and sailing back in the direction of downtown we passed the shoal known as Hens and Chickens and paused long enough to check out a cruise ship docked near Pier 21. Noting the theatre curtain painted on a building at Tall Ship Quay, we made plans to come back and catch an outdoor film during alFresco filmFesto. At that moment, a familiar ribbit sound drew our attention to Harbour Hopper passengers chanting their standard greeting and we waved wildly in response.

This time we tied up behind a large yacht docked near the Sackville, trying not to notice the discrepancy between their boat and ours. Of course, we took a moment to play the game, “whose yacht do you think it is?” This is something that is familiar to many Halifax residents with more and more celebrities visiting our waterfront every summer. Disembarking, we strolled along the boardwalk, stopping for ice cream before setting sail once again.

Proceeding back up the harbour, we set our course for Bedford Basin. The captain produced a take-out menu and we phoned Chinatown and ordered up a feast, requesting dockside delivery. Dining alfresco in the still warm evening air, we enjoyed our Moo Goo Gai Pan while the sun set in a blaze of red. Our Halifax vacation day was at an end. Reluctantly, as the last hours of daylight ebbed away we prepared to depart. With darkness falling, we turned on the running lights and motored back toward the Dartmouth shore, alone under a starlit sky. •