Savouring Tadoussac

We had a slightly lower key day in Tadoussac. Went to a neat whale museum, then a hike, then treats. Ok, so actually,  that sounds like a regular day. But it was hot, so that was unique!!

Fun fact, a Right whales sternum is heart shaped!!

Upping our picnic game today - pate and crackers!

Flights of beer at the Microbrasserie Tadoussac ( called a "degustation" in French ). Rob got a flight of stout and red ales, I got a flight of local unique selections like Sumac and Seaweed and one made with Camerise (a local berry that tastes like a cross between blueberries and raspberries). The gang thought mine sounded "desgusting" but they werent bad!

A double red umbrella stop day - ultimate liesure!

A short cut from the street of gift shops (Brendan and Harrison had bailed and headed back to the truck by now) back to the whale museum parking lot. Not long enough to qualify for a prize from the hile/bike box but still a lovely break from the hot sun. It's so nice to have summer heat today!

My heart is full

They say the secret to happiness is low expectations. For our whale watching trip this afternoon we had discussed AT LENGTH with the kiddos that we might not see anything, and should consider ourselves lucky if we saw a few distant fins. So, I struggle to come up with words to describe how overwhelmed we felt at the point where we were literally surrounded by whales - a pod of fin whales (the second largest animals in the world,  the captain told us) in front of us, a pod of humpback whales passing behind us and so many minke whales popping up in the foreground and background we stopped pointing at them. It was unbelievable. Tadoussac has outdone itself as a destination and we've only been here a day. I was taking pictures mostly with my digital SLR, so the whale pics are grainy pictures of my SLR screen,  but they give you the gist...

We had a spectacular morning too. You can tell I'm making up for 1 1/2 years of not traveling. We ran down the giant dunes at Tadoussac and explored the sand flats until we ran out of beach. 

Leaving Gaspe

After 9 wonderful days touring the Gaspe Peninsula and meeting almost every animal they had to offer, it's time to head on to our next destination. We were up at dawn to cross to the north shore of St. Lawrence - on to Cote Nord and the Charlevoix !

Life in the Maritimes

Took in the local sites this evening- the local lighthouse, and the beach across the road.

All the feels - Exploramer

We spent the day at an aquarium/marine biology centre called Exploramer and touched everything you can think of!

We started the day with a tour to the tidal flats to empty nets of crabs and fish...

What a great family picture for framing!! Ha! Kudos to Heidi for still smiling - we didn't know that her chest waders had filled up with ice cold salt water and that she was soaked to the waist at this point. So many memories. 

After warming up in the truck we went inside and explored the aquarium. We tried to play with their quasi functional multimedia displays, learned a disturbingly large amount about how lobsters pee on the own face and barnacles have "supersized penises" (these French are very direct) and played "find the ugliest fish in the St Lawrence ".

Marcel Gagnon Art Gallery (July 4)

Stopped in at a quirky art gallery and got fun pictures, lollipops and a pair of warm pants (it's quite chilly in Gaspe, so far).

Driving the Gaspe Coast

A misty atmospheric Maritime drive along the north shore of the Gaspe Peninsula. Breathtaking views, breathtaking gas prices ($1.39/L on average for regular gas) and breathtaking grades (13% grades!). Interpreting danger signs becsme a fun way to pass the time...

If there was a roller coaster for trucks, this would be it.

Kona doesn't like twisty roads, apparently. 

 We decided that this sign meant  " Watch out for waves washing your car out"

Arrived safe and sound at our campground forcthe next 2 nights.

Gourmet eats - shrimp poutine, regular poutine and lobster sandwiches!