Wednesday August 20
August 20 Wednesday Sainte-Irenee
A very slow start after a very “happy” evening! We packed a picnic and off to explore the Charlevoix region. There are many artists throughout the area, and I can understand why, with fabulous scenery, from the expansive views of the St Lawrence to the forests, and the many little villages. Guide Rangi was driving us through the little town of Saint-Irenee when he spotted a friend who has a very old sawmill….Ian was in his element!
Then into La Malbaie, which is a bigger town, on the edge of the water, where we bought a baguette, some local cheese and duck pate to add to the lunch. The variety of produce really does overwhelm me, but it has been great learning about some of the “treasures” to be found in the supermarket.
Our main destination was inland from the river, following the Malbaie River to the National Park, des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie, which is the gorge area of the river. The road climbed through some wooded areas and as we entered the park, the mountains rose to the sides of us….just magnificent, with sheer rock faces, dotted with trees. Denis wanted to take us on the cruise up the river, but we arrived to find that they were all booked out, but we were very happy as it was such a great place to wander around. This park has a vast parking area at the headquarters, and you are shuttled to the different areas by bus…a bright yellow school bus! Carried the big chilly bin onto the bus with us, and after about 15 mins arrived at the center where the boat leaves from, the heart of the gorge. We had a wonderful picnic beside the river, surrounded by sheer rock faces and trees…I can just imagine what the autumn must be like! We crossed the river over a dam, and climbed a steep path in the woods to a lookout, a very special place.
Back into La Malbaie where we visited the hotel beside the casino, a a very grand old builiding, overlooking the St Lawrence. A stop in St Irenee for a walk along on the beach, and I can understand why no one swims, the water is very cold. Nicole’s sister, Louise has a home here, high up on a hill, so we visited her…..huge views of the St Lawrence and a lovely garden.
It was 6 oclock when we arrived back at camp, and a much quieter evening after the festivities of last night. We wrapped up warm as the evening temperatures have really dropped.
A very slow start after a very “happy” evening! We packed a picnic and off to explore the Charlevoix region. There are many artists throughout the area, and I can understand why, with fabulous scenery, from the expansive views of the St Lawrence to the forests, and the many little villages. Guide Rangi was driving us through the little town of Saint-Irenee when he spotted a friend who has a very old sawmill….Ian was in his element!
Then into La Malbaie, which is a bigger town, on the edge of the water, where we bought a baguette, some local cheese and duck pate to add to the lunch. The variety of produce really does overwhelm me, but it has been great learning about some of the “treasures” to be found in the supermarket.
Our main destination was inland from the river, following the Malbaie River to the National Park, des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie, which is the gorge area of the river. The road climbed through some wooded areas and as we entered the park, the mountains rose to the sides of us….just magnificent, with sheer rock faces, dotted with trees. Denis wanted to take us on the cruise up the river, but we arrived to find that they were all booked out, but we were very happy as it was such a great place to wander around. This park has a vast parking area at the headquarters, and you are shuttled to the different areas by bus…a bright yellow school bus! Carried the big chilly bin onto the bus with us, and after about 15 mins arrived at the center where the boat leaves from, the heart of the gorge. We had a wonderful picnic beside the river, surrounded by sheer rock faces and trees…I can just imagine what the autumn must be like! We crossed the river over a dam, and climbed a steep path in the woods to a lookout, a very special place.
Back into La Malbaie where we visited the hotel beside the casino, a a very grand old builiding, overlooking the St Lawrence. A stop in St Irenee for a walk along on the beach, and I can understand why no one swims, the water is very cold. Nicole’s sister, Louise has a home here, high up on a hill, so we visited her…..huge views of the St Lawrence and a lovely garden.
It was 6 oclock when we arrived back at camp, and a much quieter evening after the festivities of last night. We wrapped up warm as the evening temperatures have really dropped.
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