Traveling Gaspese --- Day 2 (Rimouski)

We are continuing our travel/photo journey of the
 Gaspe Peninsula--

 
Our first night on the road brought us to a charming little Auberge run by the cutest little French couple...
they spoke NO English-- in fact when I made the reservation the little lady just sent me an email that said --"OK, just come."  
I told my husband that he needed to keep an open mind as we sat about our travels, because there would surely be "adventures"!!

our planned travel distance of "2 hours" driving

took us almost 8 hours on this first day...

we arrived at our first destination

 in the late evening~

this had to be 

the cutest little room ever!

A little kitchenette, 

and an awesome screened in porch

with killer sunset views

over the tidal marsh --

we were only staying for one night

but I already wanted to stay

for a week!

 just outside our room

was this lovely sitting area

facing the tidal marsh~

steps led to the tidal flats~

 we took a walk along the tidal flats

just before sunset~

sunset over the tidal flats~

stunning sunset views

dinner that evening

was at a quaint little restaurant

recommended by our Auberge hosts~

the food was incredible..

(pictures are my orders--)

split pea soup and grilled salmon

the sun was shining in our windows early,early

the next morning...

we went for a walk along the tidal flats

before we continued our travels~

the wind was blowing

on this early September morning,

the air was crisp and clear...

and it was COLD!!

our walk was amazing

on this beautiful morning~

I have never seen so much driftwood

in my life!

I collected a few special pieces,

but I really wanted to

stuff my car full!

I loved it here...

our cute little room,

the sweet little French couple who were our hosts,

these beautiful tidal flats--

I wanted to stay~

~

but all too soon it was time 

to be on our way...

we had "two hours" of driving to do today,

and little did I know--

but it would take us almost 10 hours 

to get there!

 Canadian route 132

is not just the main road that

circles the Peninsula...

it is the only road!

it wasn't long before we came to 

our first stop...

this beautiful historic mill

sitting beside fast flowing stream..

(of course we stopped to walk

around and take photos!)

across the highway from the mill

was the outlet for the stream..

the place where the stream flowed into the

mighty St.Lawrence river~

not even 30 minutes up the road --
and already we were making our second stop!

 Luc Leclerc is an extraordinary craftsman.
His talents are legendary,
passed down through generations...
His father, and his father's father
were masters at the craft of making
 wooden boats.

stepping into this beautiful shop
was an amazing experience...

the details on these boats
defies description...
Luc's boats aren't just loved
by the locals...
his boats are shipped all over
the world.

 we visited for the longest time,
talking about his family
and their history of boat making.
He was the nicest guy ever
and his passion for his craft was
evident in all that he spoke..

he shared with us an incredible story
of how when he was a child,
President Roosevelt stopped by the shop 
to purchase a boat from his Grandfather,
and then was invited to dinner 
at his Father's house~

he graciously allowed me
to step into his workshop
and to take photos~

I was in total awe of
his works in progress...

just a few more photos
from this incredible place
before we have to be on our way!
(we haven't even had our breakfast yet!)

by now it's almost 10 am 
and we are heading on up the road
working our way towards Rimoski...

 when we finally stop for the night,
 this will be our view...
~
(we are only driving a distance of about 2 hours,
but it will take us over 8 hours to get there!
this seems to be already the tradition
for this trip!)
~
In the next post of this series
we will visit more scenic roadside stops,
(think more beautiful historic churches!!)
and the incredible Reford Gardens...
we will have many amazing adventures before
our heads hit the pillow this night...

Some updates~

well, I'm sorry to have been gone so long.  It was not my intention to be gone almost 3 weeks before finishing this part of the series.  Life happens....I've been busy planting flowers, making jams, and what seems like a million other things.  Summer is already incredibly busy!!

 (summer blooms on my back deck)

  I took a little trip --- actually an amazing girl trip.  My friend Marsha and I traveled to Tazewell, Va. to visit my friend Sandra on her beautiful Thistle Cove Farm.  You can click on the link and visit Sandra and her post about our visit.  I will post lots and lots of photos from that trip soon. Spending time with Sandra on her beautiful historic farm was one of the best things that I ever did for my self --- a special little treat for me and Marsha.  Being there was pure heaven...

BUT next---- I will be sharing the first of my summer giveaway's with you. And, I promise that it won't be another 3 weeks before I return with that post --- watch for this little giveaway post to be coming up soon....

~~~A little update for those of you who are following my Josephine's Children project--- we are getting ever so close.  We have had notice that the boxes have been cleared by the immigration authorities on June 12 and are now on the land portion of the trip making their way towards the children.  This land portion of the travels could take up to 2 weeks -- so please keep your prayers going up that all goes well and your gifts of love will reach the children soon....

Love, love,

Vicki