No Bad Days RVing: Tadoussac, Quebec

On Day 8 of our trip we left the campground heading towards a place called Tadoussac, Quebec. It’s another beautiful day. Warm enough to wear shorts but when you’re heading northeast, I’m not sure how cool it is going to get. The trip is a short one, only 74 miles. Passing through several small towns we found ourselves going slower and slower admiring the scenery and the quaintness of the villages.
In order to get to Tadoussac we had to take a 15 minute free ferry ride across the Saguenay Fjord. As we crested the last hill before our downward descent to the ferry I spotted 3 – 4 Beluga Whales swimming in the fjord. WOW what a sight. Of course I don’t have pictures, I’m driving. Anyway as we were getting on the ferry we spotted 5 – 7 more swimming away from us. Again no pictures, still driving. The ferry was so narrow I had to pull my mirrors in so I wouldn’t wipe out other vehicles. And even then it was close. With my camera in hand I rushed upstairs as the ferry was leaving the dock. I looked out and not a single Beluga in sight. Ten minutes of searching I gave up and returned to the truck, we were docking. Just as we drove off the ferry to ascend a 14% grade, yes there goes 2 Belugas swimming by. Again no picture, driving.

Tadoussac is the birthplace of New France. Jacques Cartier dropped anchor here for the first time in1535. Followed by Pierre de Chauvin de Tonnetuit in 1599, and Samuel de Champlain in 1603. Canada’s first official fur trading post was established in Tadoussac in1600. Today this tourist town sees visitors from all over the world.

Beautiful town of Tadoussac

Town of Tadoussac on the St Lawrence River

After lunch we headed to Saguenay Fjord National Park in Baie-Sainte-Marguerite area for a 3.2 km self-guided trail hike. The trail was like a road well-manicured and it included a suspension bridge.

Saguenay Fjord National Park

Susan walking across the suspension bridge

Looking at the fjord

This sector of the park offers primitive campground and to make it easier to get to your site they have equipment movers you can rent.

Carts used for primitive camping

The forest was alive with many different types of plants I have not seen before.

Star Wildflower

Morel Mushroom...a real delicacy

The next day we boarded a small school bus made for 1st graders and headed to the marina for a 3 hour whale watching adventure. We all donned rain pants and rain/life coat. Riding in a 32 passenger zodiac with twin 225 HP motor made Susan feel safe. That will get us to where we want to go…fast.

We're ready lets go

Marlene getting ready

By the time we got 5 miles off shore in the middle of the St Lawrence the waves were crashing over the boat and we were all getting very wet. The water was rough with 5-6 foot swells.One and a half hours into the trip we had not seen a whale and were circling the same areas. Finally after 2 hours our first humpback whale appears from the depths of the black watery abyss. This particular whale has the name Tic Tac Toe.