Terrasse à Steve

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We have left L'anse-a-beaufils and are bound for a little harbour on Miscou Island 40 nautical miles away.  With the pending bad weather on the horizon, we set sail early in the morning to beat the rain and more importantly 30 knot winds.  Well, we beat the 30 knot winds and it seems all the wind as its flat again and we are forced to use the iron genny, she sure has become old faithful. The trip itself was uneventful but as we cross the bay we can't help but wonder where the land is.  We have become accustomed to rising cliffs that can be seen for miles away.

Land ho, we are about 15 miles out, the Island is very low and as we approach from the bay side, there is a bridge that we have to cross under in order to reach our distination.   We do our quick calculation of 50' high on chart datum, we are also at high tide - no problem we have room.  We clear and enter the harbour (this is the first harbour without depths and its dark blue on the chart, this means below 6 but no problem again we have room to spare here too.  At the dock we see a lone fellow sailor waitng  to catch our line.   He immediately said he was expecting us as the couple we met from the previous two nights were his friends and they called ahead to let him know.  How nice is this place:).  But it only gets better, through our conversation with our new friend he says that Steve up by the restaurant is the proprietor and you can introduce yourself. He finishes with, do you need anything right away like food or groceries because he could go pick some things up for us. Not wanting to be too inconvenient we asked for some ice which he promply returned with, 15 minutes later and a tour booklet - amazing:).  It didn't take long for us to meet and make friends with Steve and the ladies at this bustling family restaurant where they introduced us to some local blueberry beer and fresh (I mean fresh - the fishing boats are in the harbour fresh) lobster sandwich.  The restaurant has shellacked plank tables with stump legs and no matching chairs, lean-too on either side and personnal cabanas fashioned with local drfit wood, planks and the odd Fin Whale bone for decoration.   The building is covered with glowing sentiments of previous customers and various historal pictures of the area.  But we know that bricks and mortar, no matter how charming, doesn't make a restaurant.   Here the owner is most welcoming. We were introduced to other patrons and asked to share our summer adventures as we met new friends.  The above and beyond part comes when Steve offers us his vehicle to see the sights and recommended some points of interest including the Ecological Park of the Acadian Peninsula, the Acquarium, Lighthouse point, Old town and the list goes on.  Not having much time the next day we settled for the New Brunswick Acquarium and Marine Park.  This was a great opportunity to reafirm all that we have already seen and learn more about the delicate balance that we live in.   We ended up closing the place playing with the seals and enjoying the touch tank.   Now its time for some groceries and supplies and heading back to Terrasse à Steve's were we enjoyed some fresh oysters and Lobster sushi:).  We can't thank Steve enough for his geniune hospitalty and going out of his way to ensure we enjoyed our bad weather day.   Thanks again and enjoyed signing your wall in the provided special place for us!!