Holly Hanna! What a road tour. So many mini villages. Most resting on the edge of cliffs. Some cliffs decorated with a lighthouse. Many of the villages sported houses painted in pastels. Was I in Newfoundland or Quebec? This is not on the brochure covers? There were sandy, pebbled and boulder beaches. Water for as far as the eye can see. There were times on this drive when it was just me and the Saint Laurent River.
I took to the road, and said good bye “au revoir” to Quebec City. I began heading east towards Gaspe, Quebec. Long drive ahead, so I had to divy it up a bit along the way. I planned the route, as usual, in detail. First stops were the communities of Rivere du Loop and Rimouski.
There were 2 routes available to me. There was the bee-line Highway 20 – I like to call it the ” I am in a rush, get out of my way #%&*@!” route. And then there was Hwy 132 – the ” pot holed, one lane, scenic “ type route. I took Hwy 132. I am in no rush. Plus, I like to avoid speeding, fast semi trucks, zipping in and out of already speeding cars and trucks. Give me “zippity do da” route any day.
The route ended up being one of the top scenic routes for me so far this year while researching Quebec. The decision to travel Hwy 132 was a good one. I followed the banks of the Saint Laurent River from Quebec City all the way to Riviere du Loop and then Rimouski. So many incredible views. Too many to stop at every single one of them. Soon I had to tell myself to stop stopping, as progress was getting ridiculous slow and non existent.
I eventually arrived in Riviere du Loop. First stop Centre-Ville (Downtown). I walked the few streets lined with shops and boutiques. Poked my head in a few neat stores. Soon I was back on the highway scouting out what they had for big box players – the usual players were all here like Canadian Tire, Reno Depot and Wal-Mart.
My time in Riviere du Loop was spent enjoying the coastline parks and trails mostly. I first hiked around the many short trails in Parc de Chutes. I took in the waterfall. I hiked up to lookouts, got some exercise in. On to next adventure I high tailed to another section of town and ventured out along a path that followed the Saint Laurent River to a point and a ferry dock. The best of all was the time I spent in Parc de la Pointe. It was in Park de la Pointe that I realized it was time to slow down, enjoy the breeze and sunshine, and doodle aimlessly along the beach. (Main BLOG Photo)
My time in Riviere du Loop was done and I moved onto Rimouski. Back on Highway 132 I proceeded to drive, up and over, around some more, and then up and over more jagged cliffs. My neck had to do an almost 360 just to keep up with the views. I arrived in the community of Rimouski where the Rimouski River and the Saint Laurent River collide. Along each shore of both rivers is a network of biking, rollerblading, hiking and sightseeing paths. It is extensive, well maintained and all connected… and well used.
Maison du 1744 et Moi
Rimouski is also home to some pretty impressive architecture. The churches are impressive (as in almost every Eastern Canada community) and so are some of the smaller buildings around the community. The Maison Lamontagne, dating back to 1744, is one of the oldest buildings yet that I have come across in Quebec made of earth and lumber. The community has done the heritage site up nice with information signs, picnic area, beautiful gardens and a pioneer actor ready to guide you into the past.
Not far, baby steps even, from the downtown core of Rimouski is the waterfront promenade. This recreation path is a tourist must. The paved path includes elevated viewing decks, lots of people watching opportunities, sitting benches and constant views of the river and recreation activity. There are bikes… um, and more bikes and… um, even more bikes.
On the outskirts of town is the marina, a marine museum and a lighthouse. The Onondaga Submarine was cool to see. There is a long story about that one. I had never seen a real live sub before. Now I can say, “ Been there, done that, got the movie.”
Lighthouse in Rimouski
Me.. I was far more excited about the lighthouse next doot to the sub. It grabbed the sky and held on tight. Man, it was tall. I am big on lighthouses, especially since they played an important part in our nautical pursuits of mapping out Canada.
But, sadly, they are slowly disappearing or becoming automated. Rarely is there a keeper of the light anymore to share mariner stories with visitors. Imagine the tourism potential if they were lighthouses were developed up like some of our heritage forts. Non the less, they are impressive. Plus… where there is a lighthouse there are always great views.