Percé Day

There's nothing better than a blue sky to start a motorcycling day off, and that's what we woke up to this morning.

Don, almost ready for the road

I was a bit slow off the mark this morning, on account of having found an open air Pop/Rock concert to attend last evening, in the park down by the Marina.

I'd been out on a "mission of mercy" to the pharmacy and happened on the concert.

I was the only one in the audience clutching Johnson's Baby Powder. Made me wish I'd sprung for a 5 cent grocery bag...but thankfully it was almost dark.

So, a quick - and very beautiful - 44 km sprint along the coast to Percé and we have our tickets for the boat trip around the rock, and Bonaventure Island, home to over 100,000 Gannets. Who knew?

Ken, Fiona, Roy, and Don

Great Tour

Naturally, we are there well ahead of time. This is a new concept for me, but I am adapting well.

Waiting for our boat to come in.

The boat trip was Roy's idea. Honestly I had not expected I'd be able to pry the gang off their bikes for a full 2-hrs, but it really has been the highlight of the trip so far.

The Photo Bombers

First the boat goes out and around the rock, which is amazing. It looks big from land, but from the water it is - as the young(er) folks say - "totally awesome".

Once on board we shamelessly snagged the best spot on the boat.

All those children have years to come back for another look!


The Percé Rock is Limestone, shale, topped with a surprising amount of hardy shrubbery.

The side you can only see from the sea

End view. Impressive...non?

And so, on to Bonaventure Island which is home to over 100,000 Gannets.

I thought it would be noisy, but it was strangely quiet.

Gannet...imagine this x 100,000

This picture is plucked from the web because none of the 100+ photos we took from the boat - of birds perched on ledges, or in flight - were in focus. 

Ansel Adams we ain't! 

Most of our tour group disembarked to hike the island, but we resisted the urge.

Ken flying the flag for BMW Ontario club

Back on land we headed north to the town of Gaspé, then on to Forillon National Park, where - almost 40-years to the day since it was opened by Pierre Elliott Trudeau - Ken bid Adieu to his special water bottle (and its holder!) as they both flew off the bike over his shoulder.

Last moments together...

The beach at Forillon is beautiful. Packed with driftwood and a few families enjoying the great outdoors.

The beach at Forillon

Our attention was also (briefly) caught by "Monique from Rimouski" in her 'barely there' string bikini!

Monique

From Forillon on to Cloridorme, where I enjoyed a walk on the beach, skipped a few stones, and collected a keepsake...and my companions discussed something to do with bikes...aaaaaaaaaagh!

What a beautiful view

While the entire Peninsula is beautiful the shore-clinging stretch from Cloridorme to Saint-Anne-des-Monts is arguably the most spectacular.

Guide books describe it in glowing terms.

The highway engineers provide an alternative take...

Their warning signs indicate a 50/50 chance of being hit on the head by falling rocks, or washed off the bike by a rogue wave.

Fortunately we passed by on a calm day when the earth was at rest on its axis.

And, as they say..."To the victor, the spoils"...

Planked Salmon at La Cie

Three hundred and twenty eight very memorable kilometers, all told.