Canada 2018
  

Day 03

July 23

  
 
   
 
Miss Claire has graciously risen with the chickens so she can cook me breakfast. It is absolutely wonderful as it includes hen fruit and pig meat delightfully prepared and presented. She is a mighty fine cook in my book and a very sweet lady.  
 
We've got to get on the road to catch the early ferry so I get Frost ready to roll.  
 
Soon we're off like a dirty shirt as I follow Alain. He knows the way through the wilderness and I am more than happy to follow him. I don't often get the opportunity to just to sit back and follow so it's a nice break for me.  
 
On the way out of town I see a suspension bridge that reminds me a lot of the Golden Gate Bridge out in San Francisco that I have yet to get a clear picture because of the fog.  
 
We also pass the magnificent Montmorency Falls at 275 feet almost 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls.  
 
We decided early on to take the northern shore of the Saint Lawrence for some distance since we took the southern shore back in 2011. Highway 138 is the magic carpet for this route.  
 
Highway 138 is not near as busy or settled as the southern route. It takes us through some beautiful vistas and quiet countryside The fog in the distance embraces the hilltops like an old, comfortable quilt lying on a featherbed.  
 
When I see this sign, I have to wonder if the moose in these parts speak only French or are they bilingual.  
 
Looking up ahead it sure appears that we are fixing to get into some serious fog.  
 
And sure enough my figuring was right on the money.  
 
One thing I am fascinated by is the large cathedrals I see in the various small villages. I reckon if everybody in the village showed up at one time there would still be plenty of room. I reflect on the simple, small church building we have back home and I am not sure that one is any better than the other as far as the Lord is concerned.  
 
There's just something about riding along side the water that I always enjoy. And this route has plenty of beautiful scenes for me to contemplate.  
 
In fact, I have to be careful that I don't lose focus of what my main job is - keep on the road and keep following Alain.  
 
We arrive at the Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon Ferry in plenty of time but not to good news. The first agent Alain talks to says that they may not be able to get us on. That would mean we would miss the 9 AM ferry and be stuck here until the 1 PM ferry. If that happens it will be a really long day and a lot of riding in the dark.  
 
But fortunately they decide they can squeeze us on this ferry and for that we are thankful. And I do mean squeeze ...  
 
It amazes me that it will take us over an hour just to cross the Saint Lawrence River. The mighty Mississippi back home looks like a small creek to compared to this body of water.  
 
And because it is still very foggy, we get the pleasure of hearing regular blasts of the fog horn - right at the time we try to carry on a conversation!  
 
Soon enough we hear the call that we will be docking soon and the fun of disembarking begins. We manage to not get squashed in the process and we are soon on our way.  
 
It's a quiet ride through small villages and lovely countryside.  
   
  And in almost every village regardless of size, there is a church building. Too long ago the church was the center of the community and folks respected it. Sadly it seems those days are far behind us and we are no better for it.  
   
  Along the road in many places are lovely purple flowers graced by yellow ones. They remind me of my beloved grandmother who always had purple thrift growing around her home place.  
 
It never ceases to amaze how similar places far apart can look. This view could be from highway 1 in California, one of the many ocean roads in New Zealand or from the coast of Ireland.  
 
It appears that the moose are very active in this area according to the sign. However since we have yet to see one, I don't think they got the text message.  
 
I have to keep reminding myself that this is not an ocean view but a view across the Saint Lawrence River.  
 
Farming is a big part of this area's life as evidenced by the various barns and silos I see as we ride through.  
 
I love lighthouses and try to get shots of them as I can. It reminds me that I belong to Jesus Christ and I am to be a lighthouse for Him though I often do a very poor job of it.  
 
This cottage could speak volumes about the things that it has experienced in its existence but remains silent.  
 
This reminds me so much of highway 1 in California and parts of the New Zealand coast line - both which are a far piece away from where I sit.  
 
And once again I spy the lovely La Matre Lighthouse sending out its warnings to those that will pay heed.  
 
This part of the road was almost washed away a few seasons ago from the winter storms and rising level of the Saint Lawrence. They rebuilt it and raised up a high barrier of large stones to protect it for the future.  
 
Time for a break for the intrepid travelers. It's good to get off and stretch every now and then and get you brain and other parts of your anatomy refocused on the tasks at hand.  
 
This could be a scene in many places on the ocean in California and yet it is on a river in Quebec.  
 
We pass through countless riverside villages like these that have a loveliness all their own.  
 
This unusual hillside has me puzzling as to just what part is natural erosion and what part is manmade erosion.  
 
In the distance I see the Cap de la Madeleine Lighthouse built in 1905 that replaced the original one constructed in 1871.  
 
And yet another lovely riverside village.  
 
It's just a good day to be able to relax and follow Alain's taillights and enjoy the amazing scenery.  
 
My French is somewhat lacking but I think I get the gist of this sign. I just don't quite know why a moose would want to be risque out in public.  
 
And we pass another stately church building on our way to Motel Adams in Gaspe.  
 
We stayed here the last time we came this way and it was a really nice. And they have a killer restaurant on the place which makes it even nicer.  
   
  The rain starts to come down, so we get our beasts unloaded and I cover Frost up for the evening.  
 
When we get to the restaurant, I notice on the menu that they have scallops. I do dearly love them so my choice is easy. And they are mighty fine I must say.  
 
And what could be better than a little sweetening to finish off a great meal? I am tempted beyond my ability to resist so I help myself to a mighty tasty piece of chocolate cake.  
 
It's been over 1,800 miles since I left the Holler and so it doesn't take me long to find the place of rest. I'm out faster than a candle in a wind storm.