Gaspé, Quebec

The sun was out making the 45⁰ temperature feel comfortable for a change,  We anchored in the St. Laurence Gulf and tendered ashore at Gaspé, a remote town at the tip of Quebec's Gaspé peninsula. The surrounding area is remote wilderness much like our own Lake Superior shore line.  The forests were beginning to show fall colors.

Our excursion for the day was to view the immense Percé Rock.  During our coach ride we passed birch forests, an occasional cottage or two, and some scattered permanent homes occupied by hearty Quebecers.  Most were heated by wood burners.

Near the rock, we ascended a glass platform 660 feet above the gulf for a panoramic view of the region.  The clear, sunny day provided unlimited visibility. 

Percé Rock (French: Rocher Percé, meaning "pierced rock") is a huge sheer rock formation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. Percé Rock appears from a distance like a ship under sail.  It contains one of the world's largest natural arches located in water (but only visible from a boat) and is considered a geologically and historically rich natural icon of Quebec.  It is the major tourist attraction in the Gaspé region.

The 5-1/2 hour excursion (just to see a big "rock") had been grueling and caused us to miss lunch.  Returning back to the ship we passed a restaurant "famous" for their North Atlantic cod-fish'n chips.  Hungry and tired, Jan had second thoughts about remaining a vegan.

Nautical Term of the Day -- Cut of His Jib

Warships often had their foresails or jib sails cut thinly so they could maintain point and not be blown off course.  Upon sighting thin foresails on a distant ship, a captain may not like the "cut of his jib" and take evasive action to escape.