Gaspe Pensinsula Day 8

On September 11th started our trek from Ontario to the North shore of the St. Lawrence, crossed over by ferry to Trois Pistoles and started the Gaspe trip at St. Flavie heading clockwise on Hwy 132 around the point into Gaspe and Perce. Since then we’ve been coming along the Baie des Chaleurs and today we started to cross back inland to St. Flavie, and eventually St. Pascal, effectively finishing the circumnavigation of the Gaspe on Hwy. 132. We are now on the much less interesting Hwy 20. But today still held some highlights.

Before we left Carleton-sur-mer we explored the rest of the quai. There were fishing boats, and a barachois (area of wetland protected by sand bars), and even a yurt, and a wooden tower to provide a view.

The next stop was the Miguasha park which is a treasure trove of fossils from the Devonian period, the Age of Fishes, The cliff here is a protected UNESCO Heritage site. The fossils found here have been extensively studied around the world and contributed to understanding of the evolution of tetrapods as there is such an abundant variety and are well preserved with 3D specimens and surviving soft tissue. The prize of the collection is the only known complete fossil of elpistostege watsoni in the world.

Next up was The Battle of Restigouche Museum which documents the final battle for North America between the English and French in 1760. Quebec City had already fallen and relief ships from France were needed desperately but the English overpowered the French ships as they arrived and all was lost. The highlight of the museum is the display of pieces of the French 26 gun ship Le Machault, raised from the Restigouche Estuary after 200 years. There are several large pieces of the ship on display, plus numerous artifacts.

After taking Hwy. 132 along the Matapedia River to return to St. Flavie, we revisited the sculptures that we saw emerging from the St. Lawrence River. A fitting ending to our Gaspe journey, where it began. Now for the long drive home.