The Gaspé Peninsula

 As time goes by preparing for a trip requires a re-evaluation of capabilities and procedures. I am not the man I was. That’s okay or rather that’s inevitable. So, better to take stock of what is needed and avoid simply trying to do it how you had done it before. This is a short couple weeks’ roadtrip. It is not a destination trip where one goes into the wild and emerges later to return home. It is a trip in part to quite civilized locations for the first half then coming home through wilder places. These two parts must be planned for separately.

The first half takes us, Luann, I and Lucy Rose the dog, north through Vermont through the Northeast Kingdom and into New Hampshire to the source of the Connecticut River at the border with Quebec, Canada. Leaving the US at a quiet crossing and into farmlands that belt southern Canada. On northward sidestepping the surroundings of the city of Quebec and continuing on a northeasterly path along the southern shore of the St Lawerence River heading toward the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Gaspé Peninsula, in the province of Quebec, juts out above New Brunswick Province. There are mountains and ocean shore to explore. The loose knit plan is to circumnavigate the peninsula with side trips up into the mountains and the national park called Parc National de la Gaspéise and Forillion National Park. From there, heading south at first then westerly crossing the interior of New Brunswick Province which is entirely forested, If we end up there we should then skirt the very tip of the State of Maine through the most northerly section of the North Maine Woods which is privately owned and gated. We then make our way back into Quebec Province and head home as we had started via Vermont. 

Fortunately the truck has new tires and a recent oil change. The camper is in tip top shape with the solar charging system recalibrated and at its best. The rear seat of the truck where Lucy Rose travels has been reorganized and made more comfortable for her. Sure hope she is in the mood for a roadtrip! Traveling with a dog makes the trip better in many ways and restricted in others. She, like I, can be a PITA. We are hoping for model behavior all around. 

Rough Gaia map below give an idea of the general path. 

There is a baseline preparation where the camper sits ready at all times. Thereafter, prior to planned trip, some things are taken out and other things loaded specific to the destination. Altering how things are packed, what to pack, and camper altered to suit the trip. Off comes the canoe bar racks, nix filling the 20 gallon fresh water tank, e.g. taking 5 and 2.5 gallon jugs, as there is good chance for below freezing temperatures. Draining the system in preparation for New England winter afterwards is not worth it for a short 2 week trip. Of course there is the subject of toilets. If we were all boon docking the wag bag separator seat is perfect. If in more urban areas having the luxury of a marine flushable toilet is comforting. 

Food prep is also different in that restaurants can be great when traveling in a more populous area but frankly that is best kept special for meals like seaside cod fish and chips or scallops at the dock. Otherwise having a small hibachi grill for outside cooking is relaxing. Indoor cooking on the stovetop only when raining. When we went to AK, we took the Coleman suitcase stove and it was great in bear country not having any smells of food near the camper. 

If you look at the blog from our trip to the maritimes, we traveled near the coast of Maine and New Brunswick (we’ve done that trip on a motorcycle as well. Newfoundland and Labrador are now what Nova Scotia was 50 years ago. It is worth seeing as it is hard to get to and in so being the people hold their way of life still, quite strongly, close. If places are too easy to get to “over tourism” makes it a theme park. I was a lucky man to have traveled through Thailand, Japan, Nepal, South America, Ireland and Scotland long before places even had telephones and some without electricity. What you experienced was a real cultural shift. I completely understand the restrictions being placed on numbers. Japan 45 years ago was hardly visited and in so being it was, be respectful or go away. 

But here I go again musing about traveling. I get sidetracked a lot when I am ‘forced’ to leave my daily routine and find enjoyment in writing about impressions from observing new places but more importantly to me, is thinking about the human condition: what have we made out of Eden? I’d say we’ve made a mess of things. Yes there are those who see and appreciate, how, nearly perfect what has been given to us is, but the majority don’t even look up at the stars, sit in a field or woods; Think about how incredible the natural world is. We are distracted by wanting more stuff not appreciating, having just enough, happiness is found elsewhere. So these are the thoughts that travel brings. Time to step back and ponder life. It certainly is a gift.