Tueasday June 01 2004

I drive north along the coast to Forestville where I catch the fast Catamaran ferry for the 40 kms. trip across the St. Lawrence to the south shore and the Gaspe Peninsula, it takes about 55 minutes for the crossing.

Weather is very wet, cold & grey day, seems to be normal, although I had 2 very nice days in Tadoussac.

It was a very rough, rock n roll type of a ride across to Rimouski.
The ferry guys helped me with the tie down straps to anchor the bike down to the deck.
Once on our way it was so rough and violent that the people could not even walk around the boat without running on the spot to compensate, it was funny to see as we all looked liked we were very drunk, running around the aisles, hanging onto and crashing into each other.

The locals must be used to it as I never saw one person getting seasick.

I was initially very nervous for my motorcycle, thinking that it would be laying on its side or even upside down when we reached Rimouski.
The ferry workers would come up every once in awhile and reassure me that the bike was still standing or to tell me that they had strapped on 2 more tie downs and that I should not worry, "Everything is ok"! as they grinned ear to ear.

I guess they must have seen the worried look on my face.
Not knowing if the bike was sliding from side to side, front to back down below, but in the end it was standing in the same spot as I left it.
They were good guys and made sure the bike was secure as the big catamaran was rolling side to side, it was just like an amusement park ride included in the price of the ticket! Bonus!

As we disembark, it is lashing rain, but i am excited about the Gapse as I have heard much about it.

East from Rimouski around Matane the landscape begins to take on a dramatic change, rugged forests, high cliffs, waterfalls, more remoteness, the towns dwindle in size and the north shore begins to disappear from sight.

I am really awestruck at the beauty of 'La Gaspesie.'

I stop in at a B&B in the tiny village of De L'Anse Pleureuse, a nice room with bath, tv, kitchen, the works!

I treat myself to a nice long hot bath, it has been so cold and wet pretty much since I left home.

It is not relly ideal camping weather, does not make any sense to pull into a camp site in the rain, setup the tent in the cold & wet, freeze the night and then pack up in the wet.

I used to do that all the time, I am sure there is better weather ahead.

Famous last words!