Gaspé Road trip - Across the Gaspé to St. Anne-des-monts

We have gotten used to the rhythm of getting up for sunrises, it was easy as we were right on the beach. So of course we can't miss the last sunrise in Percé - another great show. 

Bonaventure Island makes for a good minimalist image

 

 

 

One last look from the top of the hill

It was a beautiful day for the drive to St. Anne-des-monts on the north side of the Gaspé.  The internal route cutting through the peninsula was an easy drive, but boring until we hit the coast.  Then we were able to stop at lighthouses and saw some shore birds.  We also found that many government places were closed on Fridays.  At La Martre, even the Mayor's office was closed as was the adjoining public library - we were hoping to use their washroom facilities!  Gas stations were not opening their washrooms either because of COVID.  Here are some of the highlights along the route. 

A juvenile Great Black-backed Gull and Common Eiders on rocks off the shore of La Martre

The famous red lighthouse in La Martre

The colourful sign outside the closed Mayor's office

Colorful rocks along the shore

St. Anne's Falls in Gaspesie National Park

 We went for a short hike in Gaspésie National Park to check out St. Anne's Falls and to stretch our legs after the long drive. By the time we arrived St. Anne-des-monts, it was late afternoon and sunset was imminent. We did a quick drive through the town and was surprised to see a substantial stone church in town.  

Church of St. Anne-des-monts

An art installation of birch trees with bird carvings in the harbour

Panorama of the St. Anne-des-monts

We were very pleased with the motel, it was the cheapest one we stayed at on this trip and yet it offered the most amenities, including a walkout right onto the beach and a restaurant serving excellent seafood at reasonable prices compared to Percé.   We can be forgiven for taking yet more sunset and sunrise photos!  

Sunset on the beach

Sunrise over St. Anne-des-monts

Another beautiful sunrise, followed by thunderclouds on our way to Riviere-du-Loup.  We were lucky it only lasted a couple of hours and while we were driving.  By the time we reached our first stop at the Matane Lighthouse, it was sunny again.  The following stop at Ste. Flavie was interesting with the sculptures of people walking in from the sea - Le Grand Rassemblement (the Grand Gathering) by the artist Marcel Gagnon and the adjoining Centre d'art Marcel Gagnon.  

Matane lighthouse

 

Le Grand Rassemblement

We stopped for lunch at the National Wild Life Preserve near Pointe-au-Père in Rimouski.  We didn't have a lot of time to walk around but as luck would have it, a palm warbler stopped for a photo as did a flock of Canada geese flying in formation. 

Pointe-au-Père lighthouse

The Empress of Ireland Museum is built like the ship at sea, tossed by waves

The highlight of our day was BIC National Park and we were lucky to reach it just as the golden hour began.

Next post:  BIC National Park