The Eastern Shore archipelago is a world class-paddling destination. Its deserted and pristine wilderness outposts come in all shapes and sizes, plant cover, and history. This September we continue our voyage of discovery where we left off last season, visiting deserted light stations, abandoned settlements, remote bird colonies (now quiet in the late summer) and the largest grey seal herd in Nova Scotia. We will also pass among the Sugar Islands where Samuel de Champlain encountered Captain Savalette in 1607, who had been salting fish on these islands since 1565, well before any European settlement in Canada. Camping on these remote outposts, far from the summer bustle we will complete our day before the light and warmth of the campfire. Our destination will be Canso and the National Historic site of Grassy Island, the oldest fishing settlement in North America.

The weather in September is usually our best and the ocean waters the warmest. Temperate days will be followed by the fresh evenings announcing the advent of autumn. The rich light of the fading season will drape the land/seascape with melancholic hues as the prevailing southwesterlies nudge us up the coast. The night sky will be free of pollution, light and otherwise, with the stars and constellations revealed in vivid detail just as seen by the Europeans when first visiting these shores.