This morning after a leisurely two hour drive lost on the gravel logging roads of the Chic Chocs (pictured below) Joe and I set out for the end of the Gaspe' Peninsula, the true continental Land's End and Forillon National Park.
Forillon is hands down the most well managed park I have ever visited. The process for obtaining unreserved campsites was fair and speedy. The facilities could not have been more well maintained or designed. Those we met there, French speakers all, were helpful, sunny and warm. French Canadiens are beautiful people, inside and out.
Cape Bon Ami is the furthest east point in the park. We camped there and most of the day was spent nosing around the park a little and setting up camp.
Cape Bon Ami (what a name!) is home to colonies of sea birds. I regret sorely being unable to capture the magic of thousands of gulls, cormorants and kittiwakes turning circles in the coves of the bay, far into the distance calling.
Midwesterners who know the gull only as a dumpster diver with wings need to see a truly wild gull in its native habitat, eating off the sea, nesting on the ledges of sheer cliffs, painting those cliffs chalk white with thier nesting. A gull is a truly beautiful thing when given no other choices.
Surrounded by Canadiens and the music of the French language, I felt today how much I needed a vacation from, most of all,
the United States of America.
People who eat Freedom Fries don't vacation in Kaybec.
The Gaspe' is not run by bullies and snipes.
They don't get Rush Limbaugh here, literally or figuratively.
I highly recommend occasional weeks of USA free living for all my loved ones from now on.
Their flag doesn't mean I'm going to kick your ass. I never saw signs of or special accomodations for the ludicrously wealthy in Canada. An old man still comes out to pump your gas and looks like he leads a decent respected life doing so. The children don't wear tee shirts with monsters on them.
This peninsula was claimed for Christ four centuries before the 700 Club first went on the air by folks who knew a little bit about Jesus too...with enough faith to carry them across the ocean without a map.
And from the feel of things, the Christians here, while Catholics, still practice Christianity.
Almost like they invented it.
We took an evening drive along the south side of the cape. There is a grocery store that sells ice and firewood and maplecream spread and a place you can rent a horse for the day. That's it.
No luxury Cape Bon Ami vacation condos. Somehow they survive without golf.
I am so much more home here.
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One thing I always appreciate about Canada is how colorful and non-threatening the money is. Ever really look at a dead president? Its definitely designed to strike fear--all those arrows and all seeing eyes and temples of The Law. Not so Canadian cash. Its so friendly and fun!
I do not understand this cartoon.
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