Gaspe` and Forillon National Park

In 2009, the National Geographic Society designated the Gaspesie as the 3rd most beautiful destination in the world, after the Norwegian Fiords, and the Kootenay and Yoho National Parks in British Columbia. It is a continuation of the Appalacian range. It is chiseled out by multiple streams, flowing down to the Gulf of St. Lawrence,and has been occupied by 'Amerindians' for thousands of years.

I found the picture way above, of the "Land's End" peninsula, in Forillon National Park. You can see our hiking path, and at the highest point you can see the clearing where the lighthouse and housekeeper's home stand. There is also a steep hiking trail down from the lighthouse clearing, to the right a bit, where you can see a 'crease' in the earth/forest, and that's where we took the pictures of Dick looking out over the sea from the observation deck, and the amazing rock formations. Actually, the word Forillon, is the word describing those unusual rock formations, with the 'strata', or 'creases'. The rock beach is called Grande-Grave, and is also part of the National park. (Anyone know French?) It's where the whale watching boats launched, also kayaks and sight seeing boats. And lots of fishermen catching mackeral; and many folks just sitting in the sun, enjoying themselves.

Erosian has claimed an old hiking trail, which now leads straight off a rock cliff.


Those are either loons or cormorants on the rock. And you can see the white head of a gull at the very top. I guess he's king of the mountain. We saw LOTS of seals, but were not lucky enough to see the whales.


These pictures clearly show the strata formations on the rocks.

Below are pictures looking straight down from Dick is standing.

The lighthouse at the top, which was, I imagine, very important in it's time, considering the cliffs below.

This is the trail down to the observation deck.

And the keeper's house; very spartan. I imagine the fireplace was put to good use!

Spot was on the hike with us. She loved it, and was tugging at the end of her leash the whole time. And she slept very well that night! You can see her in the bottom, left corner.

Dick and I keep remarking how we can't stop looking. The boat you see in the distance is a tourist whale-observation boat. I hope they saw more than we did. But we were very glad for the sunshine and clear day. The scenery was breathtaking. That is actually where the Bay of Gaspe meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Part of the fishing fleet at Riviere`-au-Renaud.

The fishing village of Riviere`-au-Renard, on the Gaspesie Peninsula.

A fishing trawler at Riviere`-au-Renaud.

From our campsite, we noticed neighbors on the beach. Can you see a blue tent? We've decided they're homesteaders. Looks like 3 men, a woman and 2 children.