Canada 2011
 
 

Day 05

July 29

 
     
     
   
  Today will be interesting as Alain will be the leader of today's group ride for QuebecSToc. He's out early going over the route in preparation. Since this will be the first time for this group to use the 'Drop and Sweep' method of riding, I have volunteered to be the tailgunner.  
   
  I wander down to the group camping area to see who's up and get a read on departure time. Most folks have their morning dose of starter fluid in hand, with the Dazzling Ray leading the conversation.  
   
  Pretty soon it's time to head out, and Ray, Bones, and Miss Patti decide they will lag behind the group to catch some photo ops.  
   
  Soon we're off like a dirty shirt with me on the coattails.  
   
  I check behind me to be sure the photogs are in hot pursuit and they are.  
   
  We enter a little construction, but at least the gravel is not of the thick variety that makes a two wheeled conveyance do funny things.  
   
  I always say that the tailgunner is the best position on a group ride, as he can kick back and enjoy watching the motorcycle ballet going on in front of him.  
   
  Since some folks didn't fill up the night before, a quick fuel stop is in order before we continue on our way.  
   
  I'm always on the lookout for church buildings and this one does not disappoint ...  
   
  and neither does this one. I am always reminded that the steeples on a church point us to the One who has the answers for our lives.  
   
  I spot this cross that is in memory of an event in 1843 but I have no clue as to what the occasion was since my French is somewhat lacking.  
   
  I am a bit amazed at all of the agriculture that I have seen since coming to Canada. Given the severity of the weather they incur, I have to believe that the growing season is pretty short up here.  
   
  Once again we encounter yet another construction zone, and so it will be for a good part of the day.  
   
  Our first stop is at Epopee De La Moto - the first motorcycle museum in Quebec opened in 2003.  
   
  It is the passion of two brothers, François and Jean Gagnon, and has over 100 motorcycles from various periods and makers on display.  
   
  From old Indian Classics ,,,  
   
  to Old Triumphs both restored and ...  
   
  left as they found them.  
   
  As I round a corner, my eyes and heart immediately fixate on a very familiar motorcycle. They have a Trident 750 exactly like the one that I rode many miles on - down to the proper wrap around the air cleaner. It is the only bike that I every got rid of that I wished that I had kept. The three cylinder Tridents were a rare breed and a different animal from their two cylinder Tiger and Bonneville brethren.  
   
  They even have a Honda 125 Elsinore like my friend's kid brother used to campaign on the motocross circuit. I distinctly remember watching him hit a hill too hot and seeing the bike get airborne without him and do a complete somersault almost hitting an overhead power line.  
   
  I couldn't help but laugh at this 'Ner A Car', the beginning of the 'feet forward' riding style.  
   
  This old Triumph was left in it's original state, which is pretty decent considering it's age. It looks like it's just waiting for some one to fiddle with the Amal carbs, hit the compression release, give her a kick, and head out on the road.  
   
  They also have a beautiful restored Vincent in their collection.  
   
  But we can only enjoy the eye candy so long, as we have other places to see before the sun goes down.  
   
  Today I will get to sample a local favorite food at this drive in.  
   
  I place my order quickly, following the directions of my trusty companions, casting aside my concern for my health and well-being.  
   
  It is called poutine, cheese curds, gravy and some other stuff poured over french fries. It is a Quebec original version of a fast food heart attack on a plate. You can feel your arteries clogging with each bite. At the end of the day, I think I still prefer good old catsup on my french fries ....  
   
  Since that much grub consumed tends to pull the skin down over the eyelids as the stomach expands, we make our next stop at a little rest area nearby in Saint Jean, Port Joli.  
   
  There are some nice plaques but once again my French is somewhat lacking, but I do pictures really well and see this one is about a lighthouse.  
   
  And sure enough my excellent cognitive skills teach me to look out and I can make one out in the distance.  
   
 

And at this particular area, is a sort of 'unique' sculpture of some sort of welded metal in various stages of arrangement. I tell Ray -

"I wonder what kind of welder the feller was that made that thing."

Upon close inspection, I see that he may have been an artist, but he sure was lacking in the welding department. But then nothing is too good for the tax payers I guess.

 
   
  But I find my favorite place right under a shade tree that tends to give me the proper perspective as long as my eyes stay open.  
   
  I missed this shot on the way in, but I determined to get it on the way out. It's just too good a photo op to miss. And Steve, who is front of me decides the same thing and gets a shot of it for himself. Two great minds like ours can't be wrong ...  
   
  Since part of my job is the roofing business, I have to admire the craftsmanship that has gone into this standing seam metal roof. It is not an easy task to make all of the seams come to an orderly point like this one.  
   
  I enjoy the country scenery for as long as it lasts, but I know pretty soon we'll be back in the heart of the city ...  
   
  to the land of traffic and crowds.  
   
  We are headed for a ferry, so we take a brief fuel and de-fuel stop.  
   
  Soon we are all lined up at the Quebec-Levis ferry terminal.  
   
 

I walk over and get a great shot across the river of parts of the old city while I have some time to kill.

 
   
  Soon the call to loading comes and we're off down the ramp. Having done many ferry on and offs in Europe, this one causes me no concern since the ramp is dry and set up well for traction.  
   
  It's just a ten minute ride across the Saint Lawrence, so I decide to stay seated instead of getting off.  
   
 

Alain tells me -

"Uncle Phil, you get the best view of the old city from the ferry."

And as it has been and will be, he is usually right about such stuff.

 
   
  We make a quick landfall, and we're back on the streets like a herd of migrating birds.  
   
  Much to my delight, our next stop is at that water fall that I really have been wanting to see up close.  
   
  It is the Montmorency Falls, and at 275 feet almost 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls.  
   
  I really enjoy the view, but Alain has to keep the herd moving so we can get back at a reasonable hour.  
   
  Our herd comes to rest at a neat viewing point that Alain has selected.  
   
  Once again my French fails me, but I gather that this is also a historical site for some of the first hydroelectric facilities in Quebec.  
   
  There's a lovely suspension bridge to be seen as well as ...  
   
  the 'new' dam that was constructed around 1999.  
   
  But as the sun begins to sink, it's time to head back to the ranch, so we're off again with me still running tailgunner.  
   
  Supper is sort of up in the air, so I decide to head into town and check out a restaurant. When I see a bunch of STs parked there, I know it will be fine. If the food ain't good, at least the company will be.  
   
  The food is good and the company is better so we have a great time eating and telling tales. It's been a great day for riding and relaxing but it's time to check my eyelids for holes. Once back at the cabin, it does not take me long become proficient at the task at hand.