Mont Saint-Pierre |
I've known since well before this trip that this trip was going to be too short for seeing everything I would like to see. This became apparent as I sped along the north shore of the Gaspé Peninsula on my way to Forillon National Park. I had enjoyed my two days spent hiking in Parc De la Gaspesie but this cut my time short for seeing the rest of the peninsula. I've discovered that this whole region surrounding the St Lawrence seaway has been called "Quebec Maritime" and has many similarities to the other Canadian Maritimes. Both alpine and coastal, the region appeals to people like me who like to visit places abundant with natural beauty and friendly people
Many Québécois and Americans have enjoyed the scenic drive around the peninsula but the most dramatic portion is the northernmost drive. The road barely keeps itself above the water as it cuts through cliffs and fjords. With every bend and turn, a new valley and small town come into view and I was constantly stopping to admire the view. In a funny sort of way, it reminded me of the drive along California's central and northern coasts where the cliffs run right into the sea. While the area has a distinct maritime feel to it, there aren't very many ports or areas of major commerce. So I believe it was mostly beach houses and summer retreats. Its strange to think of having a beach house at latitudes this far north, but then again, who wouldn't want to have a beach house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and one of the busiest seaways on the continent?
Small towns and big mountains |
So I rambled on along this lonely coastal highway next to a maritime freeway and loved every minute of it with my camera working overtime-
Walking along the St. Lawrence |
Not often you see a sunset over the ocean... in the east coast of Canada! |
I couldn't get enough of this drive |
There were a few small towns, but really nothing much! |
Well this was a lovely drive. My true destination was Forillon National Park which was a nice way to end my journey east.
Next: Hiking Forillon National Park
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