Day 17 Sat Jun 22 Riviere-au-Renard to Rimouski, Que...Riding along the St Lawrence

We had a sunny but quite windy ride along the northern coast of the Gaspe Peninsula. The ride included some switchbacks through a mountainous area and twisties right along the edge of the St Lawrence River through coastal fishing village after village.  

--- a beautiful shoreline ride

--- but very windy at times

Once again, we saw picnic areas in each community that we passed through.  

--- and stopped at one for lunch

--- this is our view from another picnic area

--- so we rode through it. 

We also saw very large piles of wood on the beaches of many communities. Since St Jean Baptist day is coming up, we suspect these are for community  bonfires that will be part of those of celebrations which are a major Québécois event.

--- just one example of wood stacked for a community bonfire

At one stop, we spent time talking with the caretaker of the only wooden and manually operated lighthouse that he thought existed. We also had an interesting discussion about Evan's ancestors from the historic Grand Grieve village at Gaspe. 

Once we checked into our overnight motel which is just minutes from the Rimouski hydra-foil  ferry and  overlooks the St Lawrence, we watched several para surfers (about ten at one time) enjoy the winds of the river. It was amazing to watch them fly above the water. 

Tomorrow morning we will take the ferry across the St Lawrence which will take 55 minutes at a top speed of 55 km/hr. 

6088 cum kms and my body is very tired and wind blown today.

Regards,

Anne