We made the run to Gaspé Saturday, arriving around 2pm. Gaspé is known as the birthplace of Canada, having been settled very early. Lots of history here, also a great recreational salmon fishing spot.Years ago there were lumber operations located on the river, and logs floated down the rivers in the spring were collected here and loaded onto ships and barges to be shipped to Trois Rivieres for processing. None remain today, logs are now transported by truck. Today Gaspé is a popular tourist destination for folks visiting the Gaspé peninsula.
We gave the galley crew a break today, and enjoyed a meal out in one of the local cafe’s, where the admiral came through on her threat to sample some gen-you-wine poo-teen. Poutine is a Quebecois staple, found in nearly every food establishment that uses grease, and regularly consumed as an all-purpose filler dish. For the uninitiated, poutine is a serving of french fries slathered in beef gravy, and a sprinkling of cheese curds for presentation. We understand that visiting Americans are required to have proof of having at least one serving of this local mainstay before they’re given permission to clear the border. We’ve complied. I really don’t get all the fuss about fries with gravy. Now the cheese curds, uhhhhh…. We first ran into cheese curds in Oswego at the farmer’s market. The fellow selling cheese said they’re real popular up north, and he really likes them. So we tried them. Like eating salty squeaky soft rubber, except it chews up. Now the fellow selling them– well, from his exceedingly abundant girth, I doubt that there’s much on the planet that is considered by any society to be edible that he wouldn’t find appetizing! Bon appétite!!
Weather predictions for the next few days are less than ideal, so tomorrow we plan to make the 32 nm run to l’Anse a Beaufils. It is another small village, with some commercial fishing, and not a whole lot else.