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2130, Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Today marks a special day. We have arrived in Hopedale a day earlier than planned. It is a special day because Hopedale marks the furthest north of this voyage aboard Tazzarin. As I began planning and envisioning this voyage a few years ago, my goal was to reach this place. I am proud of Tazzarin and that she has carried me here, deep into the heart of Nunatsiavut.
We altered our plans this morning in Makkovik when the weather forecast suggested strong southeasterly winds for tonight and 25 knot northwesterlies for tomorrow. There was no good harbor on the route that offered protection from the southeast, and tomorrow’s NW winds would have been dead on the nose. So, we opted to just push on through.
The passage today was mostly through a stunning archipelago of dozens and dozens of rocky, mossy, lichen covered islands, each more beautiful than the last. Rarely could we even see out to the open ocean.
We tied to the public wharf here in Hopedale at about 1730 (photo above). As soon as we walked ashore, we were warmly greeted by a marvelous couple, Greg and Ruth Flowers (photo below). We fell into easy conversation about fishing, sailing, maritime history, sled dogs and other topics. Inuit hospitality at its best.
Not far from us is the Moravian Mission building complex and church (photo below), one of the oldest wooden frame structures in Canada dating to the 1780s. The Moravians were influential Inuit life for two centuries.
Tonight, please join me giving thanks for Tazzarin's safe arrival. I am heartily thankful, here at 55 degrees 27 minutes north.
Bill
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