SlowTouringGuy Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Previous Episodes: http://ontarioconditions.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14460-gaspésie-voyage-motoneige-de-toute-une-vie-–-prologue/ http://ontarioconditions.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14482-gaspésie-voyage-motoneige-de-toute-une-vie-–-chapter-one-i/ Le Chapitre Deux/ Jour Deux/Le Deuxième episode “Chateaubriand” = Your hat is on Fire ! “S’il vous plait” = It’s not Sterling Breakfast at La Brunante was unique in that, although a full hot buffet, one’s plate was filled and served to you based on what you wanted and then you returned to your dining table. That moved things along quite efficiently. Day two was a bright sunny blue sky day and cool temps. Our route today will continue on TQ5 East along the coast, over both Mont-Sainte-Pierre and Mont-Louis and over to Grande-Vallée. Mont-Sainte-Pierre is about 1,350 feet high, Mont-Louis is about 1,525; both jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence with only a ribbon of highway 132 separating them from the water. Naturally, sleds cannot travel on the highway so………the trails take you over the mountains ! We lunched in the town at the Motel Mont-Sainte-Pierre. Hot fresh bread, French Onion Soup and a varied menu of delicious food. I still have to figure out why the more I snowmobile the more weight I gain. We arrived, late, at Grande-Vallée – a combination of long lunch, a side-trip for gas, spectacular mountain riding and stopping for pictures of magnificent scenery. Another day of about 210 kilometers as we pulled into the Hotel-Motel Grande-Vallee des Monts right on the Bay. http://www.hmgvm.com/ The rooms were clean, warm and the bathrooms somewhat like a phone booth. Perfect if you are Clark Kent. AND, the dining room was to die for ! The menu was extensive, the food was prepared perfectly and presented with a flourish. PLUS, decadent desserts !!! Not to say anything about breakfast, but……………………. Because we had so much to eat the night before, STGal ordered a simple bagel and fruit cup: Ms. SledJunque was a little braver and, anticipating a long day, ordered the waffles with fruit: Your worthless (TYPO!) scribe decided the waffles looked quite tasty but all the fruit would be too healthy. Perhaps if you cover them in melted chocolate, bananas and warm strawberry syrup…………………….. A tough way to start a day on the trails ! Tune in again soon for our next episode. In the meantime, “pièce de résistance” = A Timid Girl “Eau de Toilette” = Somebody didn’t flush “tête-à-tête” = A very tight Bra. à la prochaine ……………………………… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Wow! that's spectacular! Thank-you so much for sharing those. Simply breathtaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Doo Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Great stuff, thanks again for sharing STG.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetorches Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Awesome pictures. Have to go there one day. Beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 You have got to get yourself one of those digital picture viewers if you haven't already - have those cycling about 5 seconds each view during the summer will bring back all these memories. As you know I hate to impose, but at some point can you post a map of your travels? Thanks for the post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrafrozen Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 "Great", I said sarcastically, "Now I have one more thing to add to my bucket list". Great pics STG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catinental couch Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Thanks STG.I have never seen that part of the country.My buddy says we will go after we are retired.He has driven through there.Another buddy sledded there but that didn't turn out too well.Something about 8 feet of fresh snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunz Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Amazing pics...Thanks for sharing, Glad you guys all had a great time!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Another buddy sledded there but that didn't turn out too well.Something about 8 feet of fresh snow. It wasn't Whits-End from this forum was it? He had a heck of a time in 2011. The week before we went irREVerent called about a trail marked less than satisfactory. The answer he got was it had been downgraded because the groomers couldn't get through but not too worry it would be in great shape by the time we arrived. The weather conditions can change rapidly out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irREVerent Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Another great job, STG...I'm learning so much more "French" than I ever thought possible...LOL. In your "Chapter Two" tale, you didn't mention one little incident at dinner which added some (uhhh...) "colour" to the day. Our group of 12 was seated in a separate section of the Hotel Grand Vallee dining room having a nice quiet (OK...not so much...) meal, closed off from the rest of the dining room by sliding glass doors (guess we were a little noisy...LOL) Anyway, a table of 4 (two couples) was dining fairly close to us, within full view on the opposite side of the glass doors. They finished their meal ahead of us, and while we were still enjoying ours, each of the two couples proceeded to become very amourous, totally oblivious to the fact they were in a public dining room, where others were present, including the 12 of us, somewhat bemused by the whole thing. Frankly, it became increasingly difficult to ignore and avoid looking on, as this "free show" carried on for some time, before they finally retired, presumably to their rooms. Enough of that...here are some of our pics from this second leg of our trip: 1. Some of us getting ready to depart the Motel a La Brunante in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts: 2. The rest of the group at Brunante: 3. Distant view of the St. Lawrence from TQ 5: 5. Awesome scenery & trail conditions as we get closer to the mountains on TQ 5: 6. The "queen" on her trusty chariot: 7. What a view! (of the Chic-Choc mountains): 8. More of TQ 5 approaching the mountains: 9. Elevated view of the mighty St. Lawrence from Mont Saint Pierre: 10. Steep ascent (behind the sled) part way up Mont Saint Pierre: 11. The whole group enjoying the view, from a lookout beside TQ 5 part way up the mountain: 12. C'est un spectacle!: 13. Ooops!...the first visit of the trip into the rhubarb...: 14. No comment necessary... 15. A true bird's eye view: 16. Grand Vallee harbour at dusk: 17. STGal's birthday dessert: 18. The group getting ready to depart Hotel Grand Vallee: More pics to come when "Chapter Three" makes its appearance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildbill Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 try a colour camera all the hair seems so grey . looks like a grayt trip thanks for the pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Sledder Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Great report, very funny stuff with nice pics, looks like a blast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catinental couch Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 It wasn't Whits-End from this forum was it? He had a heck of a time in 2011. The week before we went irREVerent called about a trail marked less than satisfactory. The answer he got was it had been downgraded because the groomers couldn't get through but not too worry it would be in great shape by the time we arrived. The weather conditions can change rapidly out there. No it wasn't him.I don't think this buddy is a member of this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 So much for "If there are no pictures, it didn't happen!" What a view! Ms. SJ HATED this descent! Narrow mountain trail to fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 The descents are Tough ! Gotta keep the clutch engaged for engine brake because if you get going too fast the brake itself isn't going to stop you. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........SPLAT ! (sort of like Wile E Coyote ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PISTON LAKE CRUISER Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Awesome pics STG. Brings back memories. We like staying at Hotel/Motel Grand Vallee for the food and scenery. We did discover that if you back into the washrooms it is easier. The biggest lesson learned on our first Gaspe trip was "fuel when you see fuel pumps" since as you found out to, it can be a few km. off the main trail into many of the villages for fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkronOrange Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 After seeing these pictures, I'm considering riding Quebec next year. Looks like there are plenty of trails to ride away from the congestion of the populated areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhz06 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Great pics and write up. You should get paid for all the people that are going to go next year based on this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 After seeing these pictures, I'm considering riding Quebec next year. Looks like there are plenty of trails to ride away from the congestion of the populated areas. I've done various loops in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region - 2007, 2009, and then with irREVerent, SJ and crew in 2013 With much of this same 2015 crew, we've done Gaspe in 2011 and 2013. Laurentides-Lanaudiere-Mauricie (north of Montreal if you will) in 2012 and Lac Saint Jean/Saguenay-Charlevoix (north of Quebec City if you will) in 2014. Lots of trail to ride away from congestion and those towns and cities you enter support the sport in incredible fashion. Lots of information we could share with you for your trip planning if you get leaning in that direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkronOrange Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thanks Mouse! I will post my plans on OC for the 2016 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunderland17 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Great pics everyone. Glad you had a great trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted March 22, 2015 Author Share Posted March 22, 2015 Awesome pics STG. Brings back memories. We like staying at Hotel/Motel Grand Vallee for the food and scenery. We did discover that if you back into the washrooms it is easier. The biggest lesson learned on our first Gaspe trip was "fuel when you see fuel pumps" since as you found out to, it can be a few km. off the main trail into many of the villages for fuel. Indeed! Two very important tips. When staying at Grande Valee, the old saying, "conserve water, shower with a friend" is only possible if you are both Munchkins. AND, never pass gas on the Gaspe ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 AND, the dining room was to die for ! The menu was extensive, the food was prepared perfectly and presented with a flourish. PLUS, decadent desserts !!! The escargots were OUTSTANDING ! The Pepper Steak was a sirloin cooked in butter, garlic and wine. Crushed peppercorns, a brandy and cream sauce made it an exceptional plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.