Manic 2

We departed the campground in Tadoussac by 9 am on a beautiful sunny morning with the temperature already 15 Celsius. The road during this stretch is less hilly but the hills that we did encounter had grades of 8 – 12%.  Lots of manual gearing up and down. Thank you exhaust brake.

Shortly after our departure we were treated to another gorgeous waterfall that flowed into the St Lawrence River. Of course we stopped to admire and take in the view (and some pictures).

Beautiful Waterfalls

Shoreline of St Lawrence River

A great suspension bridge

Another gorgeous shoreline picture

As we entered the small town of Baie Comeau we knew this was the last we would see of the St Lawrence River and civilization. It is this small town that we access the 389 highway and start our trek north toward Labrador.

"The Road" - Highway 389

It is also here that we had to top up on groceries, fuel, propane, and everything else that is essential in life. There are 2 gas stations, no groceries stores, and no propane until Labrador City 500 km away. So we stocked up on everything.

This was our first taste of really bad roads. Even though they are paved the winter was not nice to them. Potholes that could almost swallow a person. Driving carefully we finally arrive at Manic 2 Campground. Our last campground with full hookups for 5 days. Shortly after arriving I spotted an American Black Duck and heard several loons in the distance.

My first American Black Duck

Our stop here included a 1 hour tour of Manic 2, the hydro-electric generating plant. Manic 2 is a huge hollow-joint gravity dam that supplies approximately 250,000 people in Quebec with electricity. Unfortunately because of security, cameras were not allowed in the plant. But I did take some pictures of the outside.

Replica of an actual turbine

Diversion tunnels now closed off

Manic 2 hydroelectric dam 

After a rough days drive we all settled in for our happy hour festivities enjoying one of our last days with full hook-ups. The sun is shining life is good. I'm sure things will change very soon.