It's a cold (4 F) Sunday morning, but the sun is shining, the wind is still, and it's time to go skiing in Parc National Du Bic. Today, we skied the La Colonie trail which parallels a ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. We cross-country skied alongside spruce and fir trees, many laden with snow, below a gorgeous blue sky with clouds skipping across the sky. After an hour or so, I noticed the water in my thermos had turned to a slushy mix; but dressed in multiple layers, and pumping our arms and legs as we traversed the trail, we stayed warm. Just a tad past two hours, we were back at the car, loading up for the short drive home. As we drove through the snow-covered Parc road, we passed two fat tire bicyclists. They looked to be having fun but I mused to Lisa that I'd much rather be on skis than a bike on snow.
After a hot lunch and a bit of R&R, I took Woody, our golden retriever, on an outing to Saint Fabien Sur Mer. It was gorgeous - breathtaking views of the frozen Saint Lawrence River, the Appalachian mountains running through Park National Du Bic, a blue sky, and clear, crisp air. On the edge of the ice, it's often colder here than further inland such as at our house. But wearing my big puffy blue Holobar down jacket with hood (a gift from my father-in-law) I was warm and toasty. Woody enjoyed dog scents along the road and I was mesmerized by the views.
On the way home, I stopped at a small grocery story/bakery in Saint Fabien - Epcerie-Depannneur Co-The' - and bought a maple sugar pie, which Annie, our neighbor, had recommended. The teenage girl at the counter was interested to learn I was an American and wanted to know what brought me up here. She spoke very good English, which she said she'd learned in school.
The sunset was another beauty with an orange sky and pinkish clouds. Later that evening, Woody got a bath...in the upstairs bathtub, a new experience for us all, which Woody took in stride.
It was another enjoyable day here in the middle of winter in the far northern latitudes of the Gaspe Peninsula.
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| Lisa cross-country skiing on groomed track in Parc National Du Bic |
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| Fat tire bicyclists in Parc National Du Bic |
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Saint Fabien Sur Mer with the frozen Saint Lawrence River
alongside the Appalachian Mountains and Parc National Du Bic |
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| Sunset from upstairs window |
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| Maple sugar pie purchased at local grocery store/bakery in Saint Fabien |
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| View out living room window of outbuilding with mountain ridge in background |
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| Woody napping post getting bath |
