Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Great Gaspé

Grab a cup of coffee - this is a long one!!!

We recently returned from a two week RV trip
around the Gaspé, Quebec Peninsula
and a visit to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.

The air was pure and we breathed deeply
as Canada's East Coast took our breath away ....

First stop along the St. Lawrence was a pretty little village L'Islet.
We enjoyed our first Lobster Roll at it's quaint Trip Advisor recommended Bistro - a wonderful introduction to what was yet to come!


Lobster was in Season!






Bic National Park










100% Pure Nature!











Enroute we stopped for Captain Homard's
famous fried clams - thankfully we shared a plate of these ... 










Gaspesie National Park was a bit of a washout but beautiful in spite of the rain and cool weather.
We were able to stay dry and cozy in our Escape RV!








Beautiful Forillon National Park - Nature up close and personal!








It's stunning pebble beaches
and panoramic views from a very steep hike to a "nose bleed" high tower ...
literally took our breath away!









Next stop was Perce, Quebec
 with it's very recognizable Rock and Gannet Bird Sanctuary Island.
We had a great view of the Rock from our RV kitchen window!



This is where we celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary with a delicious Lobster Dinner!

Lobster was in Season!






















Then - on to New Brunswick ...

Next stop was Dalhousie at a private campground right next to the Lighthouse where on this very evening the local high school prom photo shoot was taking place.
The gowns and youthful energy was fun to watch.



We took advantage of "cracking" our precooked Lobster - it was a beauty and we didn't do too bad at getting all that deliciousness out of the shell.
Lobster Fettuccine Alfredo was on the menu for supper.
Our "meals on wheels" just went up a big notch!

Lobster was in Season!



After another rainy night we set off for Kouchibouguac National Park, an absolute jewel!
The coastal sand dunes provided miles of sunny beaches which we hiked several times.
We had the whole beach to ourselves - amazing!!!










Campbellton, Bathhurst, and Miramichi
were on our way to Fundy National Park.
What a beautiful drive through the heart of this forest green Province!
Pretty sure the air was pure oxygen - good thing too because we had lots of hiking 
and tide watching to do over the next few days.

Hopewell Rocks High Tide
Hopewell Rocks Low Tide - remarkable!

Cape Enrage Lighthouse - it was just SO pretty there!
Everything was lush and I kept stopping on our hikes to stoop and take pictures of all the pretty flowers - there was even a lonely rhubarb plant where once stood a long gone homestead.


"Stop ... go back" every time we spotted one of these beauties.


Many, many pictures of this bridge were taken - I couldn't get enough 


Our only regret was that we missed seeing St. Andrews by the Sea.
It was pouring rain and very cold on that day so we headed for home instead.
Someday we must visit that beautiful place.

Well - I fear I've kept you too long on this lengthy post .....
just a few more pictures of our "meals on wheels" - after all, a lot about this trip was about the delicious food and did I mention,

Lobster was in season!!


We did most of our own cooking in the RV and did not suffer from any boring meals ...
(we only had hotdogs once).


Each morning started with a Bodum coffee (sometimes when we had hydro service we used our little coffee maker but we much preferred the Bodum).


Hope your coffee lasted through this long post - if you're still here, thanks for your patience!

Till next time - if you have a chance to visit our beautiful East Coast, it's highly recommended by this blogger and her farmer!


16 comments:

  1. So glad you enjoyed your visit to our beautiful east coast! Happy to see you got lots of lobster- what a yummy treat it is! I have to point out though, Dalhousie and Kouchibouguac ARE in New Brunswick...

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    1. Aw yes - thanks for that Linda. I should have checked my route a little better. It was all beautiful. Are you from N.B.?

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  2. Yes, she is! =D

    You cooked all that beautiful lobster? Wow! I am impressed. I love a delicious lobster roll, but it has to be cooked anywhere but in my house. The smell overwhelms me. There is only one thing to be done about missing St. Andrews and that is to head east again one day.

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    1. I was not finished, but came that moment when it flickered and I thought I'd lose it altogether.

      Bodum? Is that a coffee press? My son loves his and I do enjoy a cup of coffee at his place.

      I very much enjoyed reading about your adventures...bears and bridges and those Hopewell Rocks.

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    2. Yes Vee - the Bodum is also called a French Press. It's such a treat to have coffee this way while camping. BTW we purchased our Lobster pre cooked and had fun learning how to "crack" them open - we got pretty good at it after awhile.

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  3. I loved going along on your travels, Rosella!! It's a good thing that I went vicariously though, for if I had gone in person, I'd have eaten my share of that delectable lobster no matter what way you served it! ;)

    You saw some amazing scenes! It makes me want to visit Eastern Canada for myself.

    One of my daughters has learned to make really good coffee in a French press. If I get a strong afternoon coffee craving, I ask Bekah to make me a single cup of French press coffee. It can be a lifesaver.

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  4. I loved this post, Rosella. It took me a very long time to read...since I kept checking my map and taking notes. We are headed on much the same journey next month...a road trip from Quebec City along the St. Lawrence, through New Brunswick and the bay of Fundy, on to PEI and then back to Quebec City. So looking forward to it...especially after seeing your pictures. It looks like you had a great road trip!

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  5. What fabulous destinations! Such gorgeous scenery and delicious food (all that lobster has my mouth watering!). Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. xo

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  6. Wow! Such beautiful gorgeous photos, Rosella. It makes me 1. want to go on a trip immediately and 2. eat lobster! Seriously, it is so beautiful there, it looks like you had a wonderful trip!

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  7. Wow! Who knew all these beautiful spots existed? I'm glad you are making good use of your home on wheels.
    It's the kind of sightseeing that calls for this kind of travel where you can stop and go as you please. Love that red bridge too, and the lighthouse and sand dunes and rocks on the coastline and the amazing food cooked up on your tiny stove. Beautiful!
    And I didn't need a coffee.

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  8. What a dream vacation Rosella. I loved all the pictures and personally, I couldn't get enough of that seafood....yum! thanks for allowing me to travel along with you vicariously.

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  9. When you enjoy something, it doesn't seem too long, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see the highlights of your vacation. Lobster, Lobster and more lobster - what could be bad? Looks like a beautiful area to visit!

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  10. Your post took me back several years when we did much the same trip. I love the East Coast and yes, Lobster was in season when we were there as well. I too love cooking in my "Tin Tent" (we have a truck and camper) and lobster and fresh crab and shrimp all made it on to our table many times. We loved poking into the fish stores that dotted the Gaspe' and Cape Breton. Perce Rock was lovely wasn't it! Our only regret was missing PEI - our schedule was governed by business calls and we only had one day to do PEI so we decided to save it for another time. We also loved Newfoundland. Fabulous trip which I'd do again in a hearbeat. Thanks for the memories!

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  11. Oh I do want to visit the eastern part of Canada some day. What wonderful sights you got to see even if the weather tried to thwart you! Looks like a fun way to travel in your trailer, too. I think maybe I've had lobster only twice in my life...

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  12. Oh, my gosh---the food, the scenery!!! What a fun trip. My stomach is growling just looking at all the lobster you enjoyed. A belated happy anniversary, Rosella!

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  13. Oh my, you are allowing me to enjoy some of my favorites. We took a vacation back in 2005. I think it's about time I visit again. That is one beautiful part of the world. There are so many places filled with nooks and crannies that allow ourselves to stay awhile...until the next "part of life suddenly explodes'...

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