Some Reflections From Our Venture East

Our 1988 Venture Royale has now taken us across Canada  from coast to coast, with part of our journey taking us through the northern US states. I have enjoyed dipping my toes into the Pacific Ocean at Torfino, BC and the Atlantic Ocean at a spot on the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia. While Evan had to deal with a few maintenance issues along the way, the Venture never let us down. 

For Venture East, we took the same approach as we did for our Venture West trip. We stayed off the main highways for most of our ride and enjoyed the journey. We adjusted our route as we went and avoided daily destinations to do so. Once again, it worked for us and we experienced so much beautiful but diverse  scenery and friendly people along the way. 

We travelled 7960 km through the scenic roads of 5 provinces and 6 states. Evan is working on preparing an electronic map to show the places we have been and the roads taken. 

We have suffered the dreaded Num Bum, but we now have a cure as provided by our friend Mick. He advises the following "hot bath and baby oil (external) in that order, followed by a chilled white wine(taken internally), repeat often until feeling returns". 

I hope that the readers of our blog have enjoyed the journey with us.

Evan says our next Venture tour  might include a ride along the Blueridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. 

Regards, 

Anne

Day 28, Wed July 3, The Final Leg Home

After a week's stopover at our cottage on Lake Nipissing, we finally rode the last 350 km to our home in Toronto. It was a good feeling to sleep in our own bed after 28 days. 

Loading up for the last day's ride home

--- and the ride through cottage country was also enjoyable.

While at our cottage, we had the joy of spending time with two of our grand kids, Ryder and Rhys, and their father. 

--- with our grandsons on Canada Day 

We also had a great time with our visitors and good friends, Carl and Marca, who joined us for the weekend. We especially enjoyed raising the flag and celebrating Canada Day with them. 

--- celebrating Canada Day

--- including a Canada Day cake made by our friends

--- and a sunset cruise. 

Finally, arriving home in smoggy downtown Toronto

--- with the CN Tower in view. 

Day 20 Tues June 25 McGregor Lake, Quebec to North Bay, Ont.....finally back in Ontario

We got of to a very early start and rode through beautiful Quebec farmland along the Ottawa River with early morning fog and mist in the air. After crossing the Ottawa River into Ontario at Renfrew by mid morning, we had a hot ride  along Highway 60 through Algonquin Park.  

Crossing the Ottawa River

An interesting canoe at a stop in Algonquin Park

Evan and a bear in Algonquin Park

We met one young couple from Holland who were anxious to see a moose.  I thought to myself "be careful what you ask for".  There had been recent sightings of moose in the area.  I did see a young deer in the ditch.

We arrived at our cottage in the late afternoon....so good to be there. It's time to rest our bums for several days before heading back to Toronto.

7,450 cum kms,

Regards,

Anne

Day 19 Mon Jun 24 Trois Rivière to McGregor Lake, Que...visiting with family

We followed scenic Highway 138 along the northern shore of the St Lawrence with more beautiful scenery including good looking farms right along the river. 

We then took a number of roads that were extremely hilly and curvy and there were many other bikers enjoying the thrill of these roads. It was an extremely hot day. 

We made it to our destination just as the sky opened up with rain and the thunder boomed close by. It was great to spend time with Doug and Gil. After a fabulous meal, we were treated to an evening pontoon boat ride on McGregor Lake. The lake glimmered under the moonlight. 

6,951 cum kms

Regards to all

Anne

Day 18 Sun June 23. Rimouski to Trois Rivière, Que....Getting ready for St. Jean Baptiste Day

We started our day by taking the high speed ferry across the St. Lawrence at Rimouski.  It was. a fast and comfortable ride, and  during the trip, we saw a number of  beluga whales. We later learned that whale viewing is one of the major tourist attractions. 

This picture of our ferry was on display in the lounge of the ferry

Securing  the Venture in the belly of the ferry and talking with staff

We drove on Hwy 138 west along the north shore of the St Lawrence.  The ride was very scenic. I was amazed to see dairy farms located in the middle of the smaller villages.

Riding right  along the river

Stopping for a picnic lunch 

A surprise view along the river. 

We stop for a brief time in Quebec City, which was alive with preparations for St Jean Baptiste Day which is officially celebrated on June 24th. We walked through parts of the old city and to the site along the historic Plains of Abraham where we saw them setting up the largest outdoor stage we have ever seem for the party. They were rehearsing their performances and the music absorbed the city. 

In the heart of the historic old town

Setting up the St John Baptiste performance stage, viewed from the Plains of Abraham 

Taking a rest, with the rehearsal music in the air

Behind the historic Chateay Frontenac, overlooking the St Lawrence River where some battles of the Wars of 1812 took place 

Tonight, we dined on take out from Ultramar. It sure tasted great with a beer after a long day of riding.  We had been on the road for 12 hours since 7:30 am. Also, we had the chance to use laundry facilities at the hotel....finally.

6550 Cum kms ...and the body is getting more tired.

Regards,

Anne

Day 17 Sat Jun 22 Riviere-au-Renard to Rimouski, Que...Riding along the St Lawrence

We had a sunny but quite windy ride along the northern coast of the Gaspe Peninsula. The ride included some switchbacks through a mountainous area and twisties right along the edge of the St Lawrence River through coastal fishing village after village.  

--- a beautiful shoreline ride

--- but very windy at times

Once again, we saw picnic areas in each community that we passed through.  

--- and stopped at one for lunch

--- this is our view from another picnic area

--- so we rode through it. 

We also saw very large piles of wood on the beaches of many communities. Since St Jean Baptist day is coming up, we suspect these are for community  bonfires that will be part of those of celebrations which are a major Québécois event.

--- just one example of wood stacked for a community bonfire

At one stop, we spent time talking with the caretaker of the only wooden and manually operated lighthouse that he thought existed. We also had an interesting discussion about Evan's ancestors from the historic Grand Grieve village at Gaspe. 

Once we checked into our overnight motel which is just minutes from the Rimouski hydra-foil  ferry and  overlooks the St Lawrence, we watched several para surfers (about ten at one time) enjoy the winds of the river. It was amazing to watch them fly above the water. 

Tomorrow morning we will take the ferry across the St Lawrence which will take 55 minutes at a top speed of 55 km/hr. 

6088 cum kms and my body is very tired and wind blown today.

Regards,

Anne

Day 16 Fri Jun 21 New Carlisle to Rivière-au-Renard, Que ....Longest day of year

Although we woke up to rain, it stopped while we were having breakfast.  Off we were, riding along the south coast of the Gaspe towards the iconic Perce Rock. 

Before long, we stopped at an historic Inn built in 1825. It now serves as a local museum as well as a library. The tin roof was common in older buildings throughout the Gaspe region. 

Our next stop was at a fishing harbour to look and take pictures of the fishing boats. It also served as a   scenic rest and picnic area. 

An impressive looking lobster boat

In fact, it seems like every town along the way in the Gaspe region competes for the best info centre and rest area, normally with sheltered picnic tables and washrooms. This one in a most gorgeous setting with oyster and mussel sculptures along the walk to the ocean sand beach had a huge fish sculpture protecting the picnic tables from the wind and rain. 

The village at Perce was another tourist gem with dramatic views to the ocean and the famous Perce Rock. Evan was intrigued to be able to capture a picture of  a large ship  through the hole eroded by the waves at Perce Rock. Once we had taken our pictures, rain started shortly afterwards, but we were ready to ride on to Gaspe by that time and remove our rain gear there for the rest of the day. 

We spent time in  Forillon National Park, particularly at the Grande-Grave area. It is this area that E's grandmother's ancestors spent time on their arrival from  Guernsey. We were thrilled to see that their original settlement has been turned into a National Historical Site and the LeMessieur family name recognized in the public site information.  It's location selected for shelter and cod fishing along the  Gaspe coast was breathtaking, and the cemetery stone dedicated to the those who arrived from the Guernsey Island.

The setting for the settlement, preserved as a historical heritage site

We have been monitoring the news about flooding in Calgary as we have family, including grandchildren, there.

Riviere-au-Renard where we  are staying  in the Gaspe area for the 2nd night has one of the largest ocean  fishing ports where we have seen trawlers with nets for the first time. Their operating lighthouse is also one of the largest we have seen.  We are also enjoying our chance to practice our very rusty high school French. 

In a service station, I saw this interesting picture of a moose being prepared for work. 

E says that he would like to charge or change our battery if we can. Should I be worried?

5,716 cum kms and we are heading west from here...

Regards,

Anne