Hike Out To The Lands End - Forillon National Park

Gaspe, Quebec (52 degrees, chilly, windy, blue skies)\

We visited the beautiful Forillon National Park three times while staying in Gaspe. There are lots of trails, forests, birds to see all surrounded by the sea. It's definitely a gem. On average we have been hiking about five miles a day, oftentimes a lot more. It's been great therapy for my knee and it feels better with each passing day. The weather has been very chilly and windy most of the time but it hasn't kept us from getting out there. 

We were here the first day the park opened and bought our Discovery Passes from the gate office. It's sort of like a National Park pass in the U.S. but it also gets you into many historical places. The cost is $67.0 CAD and $57.90 for seniors 65 or over per person. 

We saw some wildlife: nine porcupines, three black bears, three grey seals, three Menke whales, one Blue Whale, one rabbit and a marmot. Birds are also plentiful but unfortunately we did not find the White-winged Crossbill. We searched and searched for that one but didn't have any luck. Sorry Randy!

Razorbill

Herring gull

Black Bear

Porcupine

Common Murres

Common Murres

Black-legged Kittwakes

One day we did take a trail out to the Lands End. Way at the top of a hill was Cap Gaspe lighthouse. It is also the end of the International Appalachian Trial. This trail starts in Maine where the AT ends and it travels to this final destination. Pretty cool! At the end we could see sharp cliffs below. It was a breathtaking sight. 

The next day we took a whale watching adventure cruise. We didn't see as many whales as we had hoped for but it was fun nonetheless. The boat almost flew across the water. It was a thrilling trip but even with the attractive slickers and piles of clothes on underneath we came back pretty much bone chilled. 

Our boat

Our guide Samantha

Jann

Minke Whale

On the lookout for whales

This is the water view of the cliff and lighthouse we saw at Lands End. 

We have all really enjoyed the Gaspe area and it's been even more beautiful then we imagined. The drives along the coastline was  so lovely. We are now on our way to New Brunswick and will soon be on the ferry to Newfoundland. Thank for stopping by. 

The End

On To The Gaspe Peninsula - A Spectacular Setting of Mountain And The Sea

Gaspe,  Quebec(58 degrees, windy, cloudy skies)

Bonaventure Island overlooking the Hole in the Rock

John and Jimmy walking the beach

We are now traveling along the coastline of Quebec and looking forward to our stay in the Gaspe Peninsula with great anticipation. After Quebec City we stopped at a Passport America campground in Cap Chet, a small coastal town. The campground was not so great (Camping au bord de la mer). It had poor electrical service and non existent WYFI unless you were close to the office but we did enjoy walks on the beach and a fun road trip to Parc National de la Gaspesie.

Our campground by the sea

Largest wind turban

Spring has sprung 

After a brief stay we continued along the coast to Gaspe Quebec. The coastal road was spectacular and wove in and out of small villages. The grades were steep at times (steepest 20 degrees) but John did a fine job.

Our route

We soon arrived at a one of the prettiest campgrounds we have ever stayed in. Our host Ralph at Camping Gaspe made us feel very welcome. Our sites overlook the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The electrical service (30 amp) and WYFI are great. 

View from the front of our site (Camping Gaspe)

The next day our friend Carl suggested we take a boat trip from Perce to Bonaventure Island. The 45 minute drive was very picturesque.

Heading to the town of Perce - WOW!

We boarded our boat and had an hour tour out to the Hole in the Rock formation in the gulf and eventually landed at the island. We went by nesting rockeries of Northern Gannets and Razorbills. This is the third largest nesting site in the world for Northern Gannets. The view from the boat was amazing as the birds flew all around us and could be seen nesting in the cliffs everywhere.

Our boat

Hole in the Rock formation

Nesting Northern Gannets

More Gannets

More Gannets

They are tucked in everywhere

Razorbills (look like little penguins)

We approached the island which in the late 1700's was a fishing port. We  were greeted by an English speaking park warden who quickly showed us a map with the  two walking trails. We then paid an admission fee to enter and climbed up a trail to head out to what is called  the colonies. We were complexity unprepared to see such a huge sanctuary of nesting birds.

Visitor center

Fee booth

As we walked through the forest we suddenly were able to hear the Northern Gannets (over 250,000) calling in the distance. We rounded the corner and this what we saw. You really must watch the videos to get an idea what an amazing sight this was for all of us.

The Norther Gannets establish a nesting site with a small perimeter around their one egg. The birds mate and are monogamous. How they recognize each other amazes me. There is no difference between a male and female gannet in outwards appearance. We found out they have an elaborate ritual of craning their necks and special calls. After the chick fledge the couple will separate but return each year to mate again and establish their nest in the same place. 

What an amazing experience. Afterwards we hiked back and talked with the very interesting park warden while waiting for the boat. It was a pretty trip back made even more special by seeing five Harlequin ducks at the pier.

Beautiful Harlequin Ducks

Afterwards we had a delicious dinner in Perce. I had my first lobster...one of many to come. Life is good!