On September 23rd, 2023, our NatHab group departed from the Manoir Richelieu hotel for an hour-long drive into the Grand-Jardins National Park. (Click on any image to enlarge.)
This park suffered a severe burn in 1999, which consumed much of the ground we will cover this day. How will it look 24 years later?
Before reaching the visitor center, we stopped at a viewpoint and spotted a black bear wandering away in the distance.
At the center were exhibits, a picnic ground, and so forth. I took a photo of this map,
and of this negative-silhouette artwork. Note the second, positive-silhouette caribou in the distance, seen through the cutoff of the immediate one.
We set off to hike in this recovering area. Things to investigate and identify included scat,
and baby trees.
We ventured downhill and passed by a stream, encountering mosses and lichens.
Our turnaround point was a lake with an old cabin, a pit toilet, and a few canoes. Here we lingered for a while.
We wound our way back up a gentle slope.
An intersection for more distant destinations.
There were plenty of places to visit, had we several days to explore.
All too soon, it was time to depart. A long drive lay ahead to reach Manoir du Lac Delage, our home for the next two nights. Our route ran through the outskirts of Quebec City and then headed north.
We stopped for some souvenir and refreshment opportunities along the way. Here our guides, Julia and Jackie, show off some plunder.
The Manoir du Lac Delage sprawls across an immense property, enabling it to host weddings and other events. This is a view from the "back yard."
Joan admired the sunset from the floating dock at the lake.
Tomorrow, our final day of exploration here in Quebec, we'll explore the Jacques-Cartier National Park.
