Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:57:19 -0400
Reply-To: Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Looking for travel advice in Quebec and southeast Ontario
In-Reply-To: <COL130-W573467C64E59CA191C3B37B8D20@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Not sure of your route but if you find yourself as far as Tobermory (a
really cute/touristy town with great fish and chips, ice cream and
scenery), BRUCE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK (Cyprus Lake campground) is worth
your time. Crisp scenery, hikes and swimming in the brisk, clear waters of
Georgian Bay. Hike along the tops of cliffs over-looking the bay. Swim in
a cave with a separate, sub-marine entrance. Tobermory also offers
outfitters to rent a tandem kayak to see the un-usual and beautiful shores
and rocks from afloat.
If you are willing to do the drive -- and it's a long one! -- the waters
and wilderness of the north shore of Lake Superior are un-paralleled.
Drink the water as you swim. I spent a week in the area and have heard it
suggested* (*let me know if you want more info) that this is some of the
most beautiful shoreline you can get in Canada. Don't miss the visitor's
centre. Cover photo is an example: http://www.ontarioparks.com/en
Travel east -- stop in Algonquin Provincial Park for a back-country canoe
trip. It is North American history in the flesh. There is always room in
the back country. Go two portages away from the highway from any starting
point in the park and you will likely find yourself with loons and owls.
Not sure how to proceed? Just call 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) 7am to
9pm (Eastern Time) -- they will direct you to a special number whose only
purpose in life is to help people plan their back country trips -- they
know the park inside-out. Rent your gear from one of the many canoe
tripper outfitters in and around the park. Again, don't miss the visitor's
centre.
Travelling east there is an endless number of stops. One of them is at Bon
Echo Provincial Park; but it seems you are too early for the Buses at Bon
Echo (google it) shenanigans. It is a good park on its own, however. If
you are into climbing, I recommend Birthday Ridge, One Pine, and Boris' for
first time visitors.
I think you have some info already for Quebec; but something worth
mentioning is the Saguenay region for whale watching and cliffs soaring out
of the Saint Laurent river. Also, not so commonly visited, maybe, is the
Parc national des Hautes Gorges if you are passing through. My experience
there was limited as I went while it was just being established as some
kind of UNESCO site. It was nice but I didn't get to stay long enough.
A short ferry trip across the Saint Laurent brings you to the south shore
and if you are looking for a place to stay, I recommend this funny little
place: Camping de la Batture SEBKA, in Saint Andre de Kamouraska. It's a
flora and fauna reserve (birds and weeds?) but you might see whales too.
Across the road and up a 500m, there are some pretty tall (60m sheer drop)
cliffs for hiking and visiting. (Can't remember any climbs to
recommend...) Here is a link on google maps:
https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Camping+de+la+Batture+SEBKA/@47.6426081,-69.7544065,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xb6e514cab1293d1a?hl=en
Enjoy!
Gabby
On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 7:32 PM, Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@mymts.net> wrote:
> I only recall camping along the gaspe peninsula years ago with my family.
> I was 13 and both me and my mother were disappointed to find out that the
> men and women shared a shower room despite separate entrances. I have since
> recovered.
>
> Forillon is lovely.
>
> Also note that both provincially and federally owned parks are referred to
> as "national" parks. I will let someone more sensitive explain why.
>
> Jeff in Winnipeg
>
> > Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 22:32:46 -0400
> > From: jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM
> > Subject: Re: Looking for travel advice in Quebec and southeast Ontario
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > Hi Harold,
> >
> > A few campsites to recommend in eastern Ontario and Quebec:
> >
> > Ontario provincial parks:
> > Charleston Lake, Ontario - good hikes
> > Lake St. Peter, Ontario - wonderful lake
> > Fitzroy, Ontario (get a site on the river if possible) - a couple of
> good hikes
> >
> > Lac Philippe (Gatineau Park), Quebec - many, many good hikes
> > Parc national Yamaska, Granby, Quebec - possibly the finest provincial
> park for 300 km. Great hikes, many great, private campsites. Near a lot
> of attractions, from a major zoo to wineries to mountain hiking. Not near
> a city!
> >
> > James
> > Ottawa, ON
> >
> > > Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:10:21 -0400
> > > From: teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM
> > > Subject: Looking for travel advice in Quebec and southeast Ontario
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > >
> > > My wife and I have traveled in our van from Virginia to Alberta, BC,
> Yukon,
> > > Northwest Territories, and the Atlantic Provinces (except Labrador)
> several
> > > times each, but have never traveled in Ontario or Quebec. We hope to
> > > remedy that starting later next week with a 3 to 4 week trip.
> > >
> > > While we normally shun big cities and spend all of our van time in
> remote
> > > places we will spend some of our time in Ottawa, Montreal and the city
> of
> > > Quebec.
> > >
> > > When traveling in the van, we tend to spend one night at a campsite and
> > > then move on to the next one down the road in order to see new small
> towns
> > > or scenic areas. The exception is that we sometime will spend several
> days
> > > if there are several nice day hikes in an area. Our bodies are
> > > "experienced" but we are in good shape and still love hiking, the
> outdoors,
> > > and camping in parks (we avoid commercial campgrounds if possible).
> > >
> > > I would love to receive some advice on roads to travel, parks to visit,
> > > camping areas and hiking areas or suggested trails. We have been told
> we
> > > have to visit Forilon National Park, but other than that we are wide
> open
> > > to suggestions as to roads, towns, camping areas in provincial parks
> and
> > > county/city/regional parks. Both ones to try and ones to avoid.
> > >
> > > I believe we have missed all the van events in that area this year,
> but if
> > > I am wrong, please let me know.
> > >
> > > Either public or private responses will be welcomed.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Harold
> > >
> > > Harold Teer
> > > 1991 Westy -- VANGAUX
> > > Harrisonburg, VA
> >
>
>
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