Mr. and Mrs. Pants Canadian Adventure, Summer 2025

[gixxerjasen]

<geeking out>

<geeking out>
Not geek enough, you forgot to properly close your geeking out tag.
</geeking out>

[wheatonFJR]

<geeking out>

<geeking out>
Not geek enough, you forgot to properly close your geeking out tag.
</geeking out>

That's because I never stop.

Back to PPANTS excellent adventure...

[raYzerman]

I hope you rode from one end of Parc Mauricie to the other and then turned around and rode back...... woo hoo.

[Hppants]

Mark - I find the bridge interesting as well. When I found it, it was getting late, otherwise I would have ran up river and took a better look. I know where it is, plenty of time left.

Ray - I didn't run the whole thing twice, but on a couple of the good parts, I did run it back and forth a few times. That is a good road.

[Hppants]

July 9, 2025

Another nice day forecast. I went with Tammy to get her broken tooth fixed. The dentist spoke enough English and with Tammy's french, communication was terrific. She filled the tooth and charged us about $400 USD. Surprisingly, that's considerably more expensive than we'd pay at home, I think. Well - we're on vacation and we fully expect these things to happen. Pour money on it and move on.

I rode the Bush Pig to the dentist because Tammy had other errands she wanted to take care of in town. I'd rather go play. While at the dentist, I googled for a hike nearby and found one near the town of Saint Brigitte de Laval - about 10 KM away called "Montagne A Duex Tetes" (Mountain of Two Heads). Good enough.

I get to the parking lot at the trail head and see the "you must pay" sign. Let me say something about that - In Quebec, NOTHING is free. You have to pay for everything. I know that sounds discriminate, but in the States, it is different. i don't want to get into the "why's" or "hows" - I'll just leave it at that. I'm happy that I can pay and I'm a visitor - I will gladly pay.

Anyhoo - the view from the parking lot looks quite promising.



This trail is nice and seemingly less beaten down than some of the others I've walked.



I get to the first overlook and it's very nice.



The bugs are not too bad today, a pleasant change for the better. I walked further through the woods and at the third overlook, I was glad to find this rope to assist me down to the plateau.





Well in the distance, that's Quebec City's skyline on the St. Lawrence River.



I checked my altimeter app and I'm at about 600 meters (almost 2,000 feet). I didn't realize the mountains went that high here.

The trail continued through the woods with easy gentle rises and falls and I enjoyed the walk. I didn't see another soul the entire time. I did scar up one female Grouse who seemingly enticed me to sort of chase her, perhaps away from her nest.

The trail ended at about 4.5 KM, and the breeze at the parking lot was refreshing. A good hike.

Plenty of daylight left, so I cranked up the Bush Pig and started wandering north of Saint Brigette de Lavel, climbing a bit into the mountains. There were occassional peeks of a view that weren't blocked by private owners. This is the River Montmoressey



I did find short gravel roads to run out and back on, but not much.



This is a pretty area.







This is a cool pictutre. Wish I had the FJR - this might have been a calander entry.



I'm wearing down the knobbies on the Bush Pig, but I brought an extra set - no worries.

Stay thirsty, my friends.....

[fontanaman]

Calendar content!

[gixxerjasen]

Calendar content!

Not an FJR, no chance of getting in unless he dies. I don't want it in the calendar that badly.

[fontanaman]

Calendar content!

Not an FJR, no chance of getting in unless he dies. I don't want it in the calendar that badly.

Yeah I am in the same boat. I don't have a good FJR photo this year. With folks moving to different bikes and with multiple bikes, it would be nice if the forum evolved into a place we gathered regardless of model, oh what a dreamer am I?

[wheatonFJR]

Calendar content!

Not an FJR, no chance of getting in unless he dies. I don't want it in the calendar that badly.

Yeah I am in the same boat. I don't have a good FJR photo this year. With folks moving to different bikes and with multiple bikes, it would be nice if the forum evolved into a place we gathered regardless of model, oh what a dreamer am I?

I believe we do gather regardless. I believe there are BMWs, Suzukis, and fkn Goldwings in the parking sometimes! PPANTS, that's a very nice setting for your bike...nice photo. I hope the photo reminds you of this day and that moment.

[bigjohnsd]

Calendar content!

I'll vote for it, ten times!

[gixxerjasen]

Also, he took it vertical, which works well for the subject, not so much for the format of the calendar. When DesignFlaw gets done chopping it down to fit the calendar aspect ratio, it won't look nearly as good.

Something to remember when taking photos and thinking about the calendar.

[Hppants]

July 10, 2025

The forecast today calls for rain, but it looks like it will be spotty. Tammy was game, so we drove into the city to walk around and try something new.

We popped into this old church and enjoyed talking with a representative about the history of this church, and Quebec catholism.



This area is affectionately known a the Plaine De Abraham region. The Battle of Quebec was fought here and they have a nice greenspace for people to enjoy, along with some historical information.

We walked a couple of blocks looking for lunch ideas. I thought these street lights were unique.



Tammy got Poutine at this establishment. They specialize in smoked meats. Their version of boudin is nothing like ours back home.



I didn't try it because I think it's made with "blodd sausage" and that would be a bit strong for me. I did try one link of smoked beef sausage that they reccomended. It was very good, and the seasoning profile reminded me a lot of our sausage back home. However, the smoke was VERY light - hardly noticable.

After lunch, we walked a couple of blocks and decided to give this a try.



We quickly learned that this is a contemporary arts museum. Tammy and I prefer the classical arts, but since we are here, we gave it a try. The feature display was by Niki de Saint Phalle.



She uses multiple mediums to describe her vision. Apparenlty, her peak time was during the womens liberation time frame, and a lot of her pieces reflect that.



She also made furniture (modern contemporary chairs, etc). The museum was not crowded, and Tammy and I had fun immersing ourselves in it.



The permanent exhibits were also contemporary, but they offered all kinds of work for us to examine.



This glass blown "helmet" was stunning. I wonder how many times the artist had to attempt this before getting the final product.



My favorite exhibit was the art represented by the Canadian Inuit people. Their work is incredible, and they love to tell their own story through their art, using the natural resources in their land. This piece is made from Whale bone.





After the museum, we walked the greenspace for the Plaines de Abraham.



For some time now, Ross (FjRoss) and I have been communicating. Ross live in New Brunswick, about 8 hours away from us. I learned that he was planning a motorcycle trip heading in the general direction of here, and so I invited him to drop by for a visit. I was pleased when he accepted, and this afternoon, he rode over to our ABB, and actually arrived while we were at the museum. He made himself comfortable, and it was very nice to see my friend.

We had a beer over some conversation, and then grabbed another, and walked down to the lake for a short paddle. I was very surprised to learn that Ross had never kayak''d before, but he's a natural at it.







I cooked us some simple hamburgers for dinner, follwed by an after dinner sippie (Basil Rye Dark) over more conversation, and then... night night.

Stay thirsty, my friends..

[Hppants]

July 11, 2025

Nice and cool overnight, and Ross and I enjoyed coffee and breakfast with the windows open and the cool breeze wafing inward. The weather forecast is good, and so we took a ride. I was surprised to learn that Ross has never ridden the area on the north shore of the St. Lawrence east of Quebec City. Well - I happen to know this area from a recent ride, I could think of no better suggestion, and so .... off we go!



Ross rode his BMW F700s, and I chose the FJR for today's ride.



Right outside of Baie St. Paul, we caught a little piss ant shower that spit just enough rain on us to dampen my jacket. I stopped at a gas station to check the radar, and things looked just fine moving forward, so we continued.

This is Rte 362, it runs along the river coast, and I really (REALLY) like this road. The water temperature in the river is cold, and that is acting like an atmospheric air conditioning unit, with temperatures at a comfortable 75 degrees.



As you crest the hills, you are treated to a wonderful shore view.



At Saint Irene I stop at the jetties for lunch.



This is a HUGE anchor.



I prepared us a sandwich for lunch - I like this method just fine. Stop whenever and wherever it suits you.



Great day!!



After lunch, we continued northeast (down river) along the coast. This is good riding.





IYKYK



At Saint Simeon (ice cream stop), we checked the radar. There are a few showers in the area, and I wouldn't have been surprised if we caught one. Plus, it's now 2-ish pm, and we've got 3-ish hours to get back. So we turned it around and started back.

As out-n-back rides go, this one ain't too shabby.







It's nice to have friends that will take precious time to visit.





350 Km later, we arrived safely back at the ABB with NO rain just in time for happy hour. While we were gone, Ms. Tammy has been a busy bee.



Rather than cook, we went into Lac Beauport and ate at one of the local restaurants. Ross was very kind to treat us to dinner.

This was a good day.

Stay thirsty, my friends...

[FJRoss]

Should we talk about the most excellent snacks so beautifully prepared by Mrs. Pants? I think this one was from the second evening, but there was one on Thursday as well - forgot to get a photo of that one. Charcuterie board is truly a (delicious) art form. Didn't last long - Joey and I got most of it.




Edit: I see that Pants posted the snack tray while I was composing!

[fontanaman]

That a very nice looking BMW and it's in my favorite color.

Keep on truckin'.

[Hppants]

July 12, 2025

Ross and I got up fairly early. Ross is heading north today to continue his trip. I haven't ridden north past Jacque Cartier NP, and so I decided to ride up with him, and then break off for some solo adventure.

Today, my weather app notifies me that we are under a "heat advisory" - the forecast high for our area is 81 deg. F. Somehow, I think I'll manage, LOL.

We got on the road about 7:30. Nice and cool 68 degrees as we get on Rte 175 heading north.





This is Lac Jacque Cartier - gorgeous!!



Just south of Saguenay, Ross pulled over for a quick stop. Let me say something about the land here: they have flowers. Flowers are everywhere. Different shapes, aromas, colors - it's beautiful. At home, we get flowers for a few weeks in the early spring, and then it's too hot. This is really nice.



I had a nice time with my friend. Thank you Ross for coming to see me.



Ross continued across the Saguenay River on his own quest, but I took a right looking for something else.



I rode rte 170 east to the Saguenay Fjord National Park. I have a NP Pass, no charge to get in, thank you very much!

At the front gate, I like it already!



I've thought about it a bit - I do not think I've ever seen a Fjord in person. No time like the present. I get to the visitor's center, have a short chat with the ranger there, and right out of the back door, I get right to it!!



There's a short hike (about 5 km out and back) that climbs up one of the shorter peaks within the park. Once again, the NP service has done an excellent job with trail maintenance.



These are the first "colored" mushrooms I've seen in Quebec.



The trail climbs steady and I'm taking it at a manageable pace, stopping along the way to take in the views.





I get to the top and the overlook is majestic.



That's the actual Fjord in the background. The cold saltwater from the St. Lawrence River mixes with the warmer water from the Saguenay River, providing for a unique aquatic biodiversity.



It also makes for a pretty awesome picnic spot!



A Park Ranger was at the overlook and his english was very good. I figure that I've got about 3 more hours (give or take) before I need to be heading back, so I asked him for a suggestion and he gave me some great ideas. So I walked back down the trail.

Mother Nature's Ampitheatre.



I'll admit it - I'm a tree hugger, man. Trees are cool.



Per the Ranger's idea, I rode back out of the park and down Rte 170 east to another park entrance at L'Anse Saint John.



There's a short loop trail on top of a rock that offers some amazing views of the Fjord.





The cell phone camera doesn't do this justice. Seriously.



I rode back down off the rock and something caught me eye as a photo op. This may just be my calendar entry for this year.



I'm having so much fun exploring this whole new world.





The covered bridges I've found (thus far) in Quebec are not that old - perhaps less than 100 years. But they are still very nice.



This one had some local art hung on the inside walls. That's pretty neat.



I passed on a waterfall hike that I really wanted to walk. I could see the HUGE waterfall in the distance, but it's a 6 km walk and by now, it's almost 3:00 pm. I've got at least 3 hours to get back - that's pushing it a bit for my liking. I'll be back, for sure.

It's a paltry consolation, but it will have to do. By now, it's no coincidence - The Québécois people like soft serve.



I get back on the horse and head west on Hwy 170 - again, this is a good road. Curvy enough to hold my interest, and unlike other secondary roads, in great shape.





Heat Advisory, my ass.....



I fill up the bike just outside of Saguenay, and then take Rte 381 south. This a GREAT road - very curvy and at 15-ish (err... 25) over the 90 kph limit, it was quite fun to ride. It winds thought a valley in between a couple of decent mountain ranges - perhaps 700-900 meters each (or so).





Big rocks here. I'll be back to this road again.



I saw a bunch of cars parked at this old covered bridge, so I stopped to poke around.



There, I met 3 young men who were riding on their own. 1 of them spoke very good english. A second spoke enough for us to talk a little, but the 3rd spoke none, so we each had to get a translation from the other. They were very nice and interested in my summer adventure. Since they were going the same way I was, we decided to ride together.

The dude that spoke the best english was riding a KTM 790. The 2nd guy with limited english was riding a honda sport bike. And the 3rd guy with no english was riding a honda valkarie. I left in the back just to watch them for a few curves and it became apparent very quickly that they were very good experienced riders. So I started pushing the bars a little. Soon, the valkerie and the KTm waved me by, and before I knew it, I was scraping pegs with the sport bike. We ran about 40 miles down to Rte 138 (Baie St. Paul), and pulled over at a gas station.

(sport bike dude) "you ride pretty good, Cajun!"

Lol.

We exchanged pleantries and they moved on. This is a vital part of it for Pants. I'm meeting some locals, learning what I can. Loving it.

I bought a Canadian lotto ticket - what the hell, ya can't win if you don't play.

I turn right onto rte 138 and start heading toward the ABB. So long my fine mountains, I'll be back to play another time.



Stay thirsty, my friends....

[fontanaman]

Yep a calendar photo for sure.

[gixxerjasen]

Slight crop to remove the tree branches from the left and it's ready for submission.

[fontanaman]

Leave the tree branch, it adds character.

[Hppants]

Slight crop to remove the tree branches from the left and it's ready for submission.

I took about 10 photos at the same spot - Not sure which one will be the final version. Plus it has to be resized to fit the contest requirements. All TBD....