Although I commented that our hotel goes back to 1942, there has been a hotel on this site since 1864. I suspect none of that original hotel exists. Tadoussac, an unexpected treasure, is a blip on the edge of Quebec wilderness. North of Tadoussac along the St. Lawrence quickly becomes lake country, with next to nothing for another 100 km. West of Tadoussac along the Saguenay, there appear to be a few outposts before the town of Saguenay about 100 km. up the road. This area is considered fjord/whale country. This morning, we focused on La Baie Ste. Marguerite National park, about 25 km. from Tadoussac along the north shore of the Saguenay. We had no idea what to expect, but after entering the park, we were quickly forced to abandon the car and set out on foot. Still not knowing what to expect - a little lack of research here - we started our trek with no water, food or jackets on what materialized as a 3+ km. walk to the Saguenay along the Ste. Marguerite River.
The sun continually try to pop through the clouds, but generally the walking conditions were perfect.
Once we reached the Beluga Observation post, we of course, expected to see whales frolicking. Alas, once more, no whales. The character of the shore at the outlook was such that the water depth dropped off drastically at the end of the river, providing a perfect habitat for whales. There was an interpreter here keeping hourly records, but she wasn't too busy while we were there.
In any case, we had a whale of a time and quickly made our way back to the car park. We had a nice and needed walk with some pretty scenery and flora along the way.
On our way into Tadoussac we opted for another high class meal - hot dog and bacon poutine. Gotta have poutine in Quebec.
It was another slow late afternoon and dinner tonight was buffet in the main restaurant in the hotel called Cloverdale. We didn't set out to do buffet, but the maitre d' talked us into it and in the end with multi courses, dinner cost 1/3 of last night's damage. Apparently our weather is going to crap for the next week or so with cool temps and rain. And, once again c'est la vie!
The sun continually try to pop through the clouds, but generally the walking conditions were perfect.
Once we reached the Beluga Observation post, we of course, expected to see whales frolicking. Alas, once more, no whales. The character of the shore at the outlook was such that the water depth dropped off drastically at the end of the river, providing a perfect habitat for whales. There was an interpreter here keeping hourly records, but she wasn't too busy while we were there.
In any case, we had a whale of a time and quickly made our way back to the car park. We had a nice and needed walk with some pretty scenery and flora along the way.
On our way into Tadoussac we opted for another high class meal - hot dog and bacon poutine. Gotta have poutine in Quebec.
It was another slow late afternoon and dinner tonight was buffet in the main restaurant in the hotel called Cloverdale. We didn't set out to do buffet, but the maitre d' talked us into it and in the end with multi courses, dinner cost 1/3 of last night's damage. Apparently our weather is going to crap for the next week or so with cool temps and rain. And, once again c'est la vie!
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