Rimouski to Val-Brillant
Woke this morning to the sound of a thunderstorm and heavy rain. Good thing we were in a motel even if our room was the size of a 'glorified closet'! By the time we were packed and ready to go the rain had stopped but the sky remained quite 'ugly'
Rimouski represents the end of the St. Lawrence River and the beginning of the Gulf of St. Lawrence...so 'in theory' we really have made it to the Atlantic Ocean! As we pedaled along today we were treated to the sighting of seals, another indication we have made it to the ocean. At Sainte-Flavie we had to say goodbye to the St. Lawrence and turn inland to cross the Gaspé Peninsula and therefore across the Appalachian Mountains. Yes, from Sainte-Flavie for about the next 35 km we were faced with some climbing, one of which was 8%. Mont-Joli did not get it's name for nothing!
As we 'climbed' and 'weaved' our way across the Gaspé we saw farm fields up the side of tremendous hills. As Eric said..."You would want 4 wheel drive tractors with duals on them to work in those fields".
We are camping at Val-Brillant at Camping Bois Et Berges. We have a very 'treed' site that we have been able to set a tarp up over the picnic table as the sky was extremely 'black' as we arrived. So far we have dodged the rain. Let's hope it remains so!!!
Daily Distance = 83.37 km. Time on the bikes = 4 hours 59 minutes. Average Speed = 16.72 km. Maximum Speed = 57.21 km. Wildlife Sightings = Seals, Black Ducks, Cedar Waxwings.
Kevin = 3, Sue = 0, Eric = 1.
