Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 09:55:11 -0500
Reply-To: Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Baie Comeau to Labrador to Newfoundland
In-Reply-To: <11dcddf80701080644x53eb0ec6s4f0d4e06a942c97f@mail.gmail.com>
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I just ran across this PDF file which may be of some use:
http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/images/information/carte_routiere/PDF/web06_Manicouagan.pdf
Chris
On 1/8/07, Christopher Gronski <gronski@gmail.com> wrote:
> Four points about the Quebec Labrador Trip:
> (1) The Nunavik and James bay map is useless
> (2) There is gas along the way
> (3) A cheater hose for propane may help
> (4) 2WD is probably OK
>
> POINT ONE:
>
> The Nunavik and James Bay map is borderline useless for the
> Trans-Quebec Labrador Highway 389. On that map it is represented by a
> squiggly red line running upward to the right, with not a single town
> or stop marked on the entire 567km stretch between Baie-Comeau and
> Fermont Quebec. Drawing a squiggly line on a napkin would be only
> marginally less representative.
>
> POINT TWO
>
> There is a more useful map on page 120 of the Manicouagan Tourist
> Guide, also available from Quebec tourism. It indicates there are four
> stops (each with gas, food, and lodging) between Baie Comeau and
> Fermont.
>
> Km 94 Poste Micoua, Elape Manic Outardes
> Km 214 Barrage Daniel-Johnson, Motel de l'energie
> Km 314 Relais Gabriel
> Km 567 Fermont
>
> If I can get a hold of a scanner in the next few days I'll post a JPEG
> or something.
> If there is a different map with better detail, someone please speak up.
>
> POINT THREE
>
> If we can't secure a propane source in advance I'd recommend portable
> tanks with a cheater hose to refill. I have a hose made up that goes
> from a standard BBQ tank to our westy tanks that you can extend your
> stay with. Carrying an extra tank, on top of all the driving we'll do
> I'm sure we'd be fine.
>
> POINT FOUR
>
> Though I have the benefit of driving a syncro, I also know that a 2WD
> Vanagon is not your typical 2WD vehicle, The rear engine and high
> ground clearance make it a reasonably capable vehicle off road. When I
> had my 2WD air cooled van I drove on several logging roads that I
> would never would have taken a 2WD sedan on. I think it is worth
> talking to people at the motels along the route, they'll let you know
> what kind of vehicles they've seen in their parking lots, but I would
> not worry to much, remember it is 600km long or so and they do call
> this a highway, there is no way it is 600km long of off road 4WD only
> conditions, thinking of the pounding that would do to ANY vehcile 4WD
> or not.
>
> IN CLOSING
>
> Depending on timing I'd LOVE to come on this caravan with the group. I
> think our 2WD friends will be fine provided their vehicles are
> mechanically sound and have decent tires for the trip. Count me in
> whoever is taking the lead on this one...
>
> Chris
>
> On 1/6/07, Joy Hecht <jhecht@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
> > I just called too - they said there was no "Quebec Far North" map - then
> > they looked up Malcolm to see what had been sent to him. (Didn't know you
> > could spy on people through the Quebec tourism info center, did you? :-)
> > Then she said it's a map called "Nunavik and James Bay area" or something
> > like that.
> >
> > And if there's anyone else out there interested in driving the Baie Comeau
> > to Happy Valley/Goose Bay road, from Quebec to Labrador, this summer, please
> > email me! We're working on getting together a caravan.
> >
> > Tentative dates are to leave from BusFusion, which is June 7-10, and head
> > east. For those who can't take as much time, I'd guess we'll convene in
> > Baie Comeau (or somewhere near there - haven't got my maps yet to study!)
> > perhaps a week or so later. It's 875 kms from Ottawa (near BusFusion) to
> > Baie Comeau, with some lovely things to see on the way, so we'll have to see
> > how we do that, if we do it together.
> >
> > From Baie Comeau we'll head out in caravan on the 1200 kms of unpaved road
> > towards Goose Bay. Maybe a week or ten days to get there, taking a
> > reasonably leisurely pace so our vans are happy, stopping to hike and talk
> > to caribou perhaps, visit what appear to be some reservoirs and lakes, and
> > perhaps somewhere a speck of a town?
> >
> > (We haven't yet sorted out what towns there are, particularly where to get
> > gasoline en route.)
> >
> > Then from Goose Bay there's a ferry to Cartwright, which takes either
> > thirteen or fifteen hours, depending on which ferry we take. On the shorter
> > ferry, the fare in summer 2006 was around $CA 80 for the van and $CA 46 per
> > adult. From Cartwright we have about 320 kms more of unpaved road to get to
> > Red Bay - another 3 days maybe? In Red Bay, we hit - Civilization! Paved
> > road, nice historical museum (yeah, there's history up there - Portuguese
> > fishing boats from something like the 16th century found in the water off
> > Red Bay, remains of their settlements), pretty town, etc. The paved road
> > goes around another 90 kms to Blanc Sablon, just over the Quebec border,
> > where we get the ferry to Newfoundland. Or we could take a short detour
> > into Quebec to visit a nice bird sanctuary in Brador Bay, where we can see
> > Atlantic puffins and lots of other birds not commonly seen in the
> > continental US. Oh, and before we get to Blanc Sablon we might stop at the
> > friendly visitor center on the Newfoundland side with free wifi, and read
> > three weeks of accumulated vanagon emails!
> >
> > The ferry from Newfoundland takes around 3 hours, and in 2006 it cost $CA
> > 22.75 per van and $CA 11.25 per adult. It comes in to St. Barbe on the
> > Great Northern Peninsula, where we might head north a bit to visit the
> > Viking settlements. If we're feeling extravagant after all our roughing it,
> > we might go for a (rather pricey!) dinner at the Norseman Restaurant up
> > there, which is supposed to be the best restaurant in Newfoundland. (Okay,
> > I realize that's not saying much - Newfoundland isn't France, after all -
> > but the chef is supposed to be renowned and the food is apparently artsy and
> > fancy. I looked in and checked the menu when I was up there last summer,
> > decided it wasn't a place to bother going alone.) Check it out:
> > http://www.valhalla-lodge.com/Restaurant.htm
> >
> > Heading down the coast (the only way to go from up there), we'll get to Gros
> > Morne National Park, which is a lovely place to visit.
> >
> > After Gros Morne, we might divide up. Those lacking time may continue down
> > the coast to Port-aux-Basques to catch the short ferry (6-7 hours) to Nova
> > Scotia. Those with more time who want to see more of Newfoundland (plus
> > Keith, who lives in St. John's) will head east, via whatever routes they
> > fancy. Well, okay, there's only one road that goes all the way there - but
> > I want to make some detours up to the north shore, as I didn't see those
> > places last summer.
> >
> > So, does it sound splendid and enticing? It should, it's going to be great!
> > If you're interested in coming along, just send an email.
> >
> > And to read what the Newfoundland and Labrador tourist office says about the
> > drive, click here:
> > http://www.newfoundlandandlabradortourism.com/labrador_scenic_tours.zap.
> >
> >
> > Joy
> >
> >
> > ****************************************************************
> > Joy Hecht
> > now living in a real house in northern Virginia
> > and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
> > now living in the driveway and resting after two and a half years
> > lugging Joy and her stuff around...
> >
> > For musings about life traveling in the van or living in one place:
> > http://www.joyhecht.net
> >
> > ****************************************************************
> >
> >
> >
> > :::-----Original Message-----
> > :::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> > :::Of Malcolm Stebbins
> > :::Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 9:47 AM
> > :::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > :::Subject: Re: Baie Comeau to Labrador to Newfoundland
> > :::
> > :::The map that everyone here "needs" is called "Quebec's Far North." One
> > :::can call Tourism Quebec
> > :::at:
> > :::1 877 266-5687. I just called them and I was initially told that the map
> > :::did not exist, then that
> > ::: they were out, and after getting through 2 levels of
> > :::supervisors.......they will send the map + a
> > :::general Quebec map + provincial parks map + camp-grounds of Quebec. Ask
> > :::for them all.
> >
>
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