Today, our scheduled departure time from Matane to Village Grande Nature Chic Choc in Cap Chat was 10am. We had all gathered for the complimentary breakfast, which was the same as 2 mornings ago, scrambled eggs, sausage links, potatoes, beans (a small monkey bowl of baked beans is a regular thing at breakfast here in Quebec) and a few other assorted items., at around 8am. It was quickly hashed out that since we were all up & ready plenty early lets move the departure time to 9:15am; Gawd knows we need all the extra float time we can get with our track record. The breakfast time did have some excitement. An Ontarian, who appeared to be on some sort of construction crew, was quite hostile and spewing negative commentary to/about the French Canadians in general. Made for a tense few minutes in the common breakfast room, until the less than desirable individual and his partner left after a quick meal. Good riddance was our collective consensus.
9:15am and we were back on Trail 5, headed east and north. Our travels on this trip are mainly going along the St Lawrence Seaway. It is providing some excellent observation and picture taking opportunities. Our new Club Photographer, Jamie Elfstrom, has really stepped up his game in the last few days!
We only had about 100 miles to click off today, so it afforded us the opportunity to stop at the local snowmobile club house of Halte Des Montagnes after about 30 miles for some hot chocolate, hot vegetable soup, or soft drink (theoretically Lunch #1). While there, we tagged the refrigerator with one of DarkSide Adventures.Com stickers, took a picture with the local young lady that could decipher our English to French translation. While there, Ole regaled the young lady (you would think somebody would have gotten her name?) with a story of the last time he stopped there, somewhere between 2005-2008, memories fade at this point, and there had been a sole woman working that day, and she was knitting socks. He was just trying to rehash an old story to her about the socks, and the interpretation came out that he wanted socks. Next thing you know, the ladies hosting us began burning up the phone lines getting hold of the Sock Lady so Ole could get more socks! This is all happening as we are getting our gear on to head back out on the trail! So we had to wait 15 minutes for the young lady to drive down the road and come back with 3 pairs of really nice knitted socks. I even bought a pair from Ole!
After we packed our new socks in Craig's saddlebag, we traveled about 40 miles to another local snowmobile club house, Relais du Vieux Moulin. Now we got lunch #2! Yes. an actual lunch. Cheeseburgers all dressed (local terminology for ketchup, mustard, lettuce, onions, pickles, and of course cheese), and club sandwiches were the big hits of the stop.
After our hour long lunch break on the trail, we had about 12 miles to go to get to the beautiful and cozy Village Grande Nature Chic Choc. There is a main lodge, with a few chambres for overnight stays, with an attached sitting room with a warm fireplace, a bar area for socialization, and then a formal dining room. Our lodging was in the dozen or so individual cabins about 100 yards away from the main lodge. Our group of 9 had 3 of the cabins, so we bunked off in groups of 3. Each cabin had a wood burning fire place, 2 double beds and a couch in the main room/kitchenette area with that folded out.
We arrived around 4pm and after we settled in, cleaned up, socialized for a few, we all hopped on our sleds and rode up to the main lodge for happy hour. Dinner was at 7pm. The starters were vegetable/carrot soup, shrimp salad, and a choice of chicken pasta or salmon. It was a delicious gourmet meal that we all enjoyed.
While at dinner, we made friends with a group of gentleman that were representing different portions of tourism for Quebec. Each was a President of their individual territory that promotes hiking, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and anything that relates to enjoying the beautiful and abundant amenities that Quebec offers. Benjamin Lowallee ( I hope I got that spelling correct, Benjamin, as I am trying my best to read the handwriting), Jean-Claude D'Amours, Gaetam Hamel, Denys Gilbert, and Jean Beranger it was a pleasure meeting you all, we love our annual snowmobiling saddlebag trip to Quebec, and we look forward to the opportunity when our trails cross again! Cheers. You can follow their group on FaceBook @ Reseau zec, or their website @ www.reseauzec.com.
We also got to meet Rejean Blowin and his wife and super duper staff ( Rejean, I hope I spelled your last name correct, this time the handwriting is my own). Rejean, as he told us, just purchased his beautiful lodge and resort at the base of the Chic Choc Mountain range 23 days ago! Congratulations to you sir, and we wish you great success, as we thoroughly enjoyed our stay with you and your hospitality!
HIgh Honers to Connecticut Jim. We had 4 bottles of Cabernet at dinner and I am sure it was a hefty tab that he picked up! Salute to you Connecticut.
Day 5 to follow, as I didn't have adequate wifi access last night, so stay tuned...
Cheers,
Stick
PS Truck Driver Vinnie, I still haven't had a bowl of "french" onion soup, but stay tuned, the opportunity has to arise!