Venture East: Day 16 Fri Jun 21 New Carlisle to Rivière-au-Renard, Que ....Longest day of year

Although we woke up to rain, it stopped while we were having breakfast. Off we were, riding along the south coast of the Gaspe towards the iconic Perce Rock.

Before long, we stopped at an historic Inn built in 1825. It now serves as a local museum as well as a library. The tin roof was common in older buildings throughout the Gaspe region.

Our next stop was at a fishing harbour to look and take pictures of the fishing boats. It also served as a scenic rest and picnic area.

An impressive looking lobster boat

In fact, it seems like every town along the way in the Gaspe region competes for the best info centre and rest area, normally with sheltered picnic tables and washrooms. This one in a most gorgeous setting with oyster and mussel sculptures along the walk to the ocean sand beach had a huge fish sculpture protecting the picnic tables from the wind and rain.

The village at Perce was another tourist gem with dramatic views to the ocean and the famous Perce Rock. Evan was intrigued to be able to capture a picture of a large ship through the hole eroded by the waves at Perce Rock. Once we had taken our pictures, rain started shortly afterwards, but we were ready to ride on to Gaspe by that time and remove our rain gear there for the rest of the day.

We spent time in Forillon National Park, particularly at the Grande-Grave area. It is this area that E's grandmother's ancestors spent time on their arrival from Guernsey. We were thrilled to see that their original settlement has been turned into a National Historical Site and the LeMessieur family name recognized in the public site information. It's location selected for shelter and cod fishing along the Gaspe coast was breathtaking, and the cemetery stone dedicated to the those who arrived from the Guernsey Island.

The setting for the settlement, preserved as a historical heritage site

We have been monitoring the news about flooding in Calgary as we have family, including grandchildren, there.

Riviere-au-Renard where we are staying in the Gaspe area for the 2nd night has one of the largest ocean fishing ports where we have seen trawlers with nets for the first time. Their operating lighthouse is also one of the largest we have seen. We are also enjoying our chance to practice our very rusty high school French.