Travel Diary
Destination :
Canada QUEBEC WINTER 2007Departure Date: February 15, 2007
Places to discover
Sacacomie Hotel
We traveled for the first time with a Boeing 747 of Air France to get to Montreal
In Montreal, we stayed at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel where our Fairmont fidelity card
allowed us to get a room with breakfast for a good price. The Fairmont card
provides you free access to High Speed Internet and telephone in the city of Montreal.
In winter, this hotel is a great location because you have access to the underground city and the
central station.
saturday, february 17, 2007
We took the 10:30 bus to the Montreal's central bus station in the direction of Louiseville where we are
arrived at 12:30. A taxi then drove us to St. Alexis des Monts where you find Sacacomie hotel.Here we
Stayed 8 days. We inquired about the activities and have taken possession of our room.
The room is superb, we have a beautiful view of Lake Sacacomie and we are not disappointed.
 Sacacomie hotel reception |
 the restaurant of the hotel |
|
our room |
Sacacomie Lake view from our room |
Big surprise, there is no Sunday brunch.
We went to the center of activities in which you take possession of free skis and snowshoes.
The great success of the center of activity is the leasing of snowmobiles that have their own circuit in the forest to
the Mastigouche wildlife reserve. Hikers and skiers are not disturbed by noise.
Today we did a snowshoe of 3:30 following the trail of the lynx, followed by tour of the lake of Atocats
and belvedere Pathway. It was hard for a first outing.
snowmobile
 lynx trail |
 arrival on the Lake Canitchez |
|
Atocats lake |
The Atocats lake was the scene of ice fishing. This activity has been removed this year because of poachers who looted Lake Wildlife. Too bad!
|
After breakfast, we took the path down to the beach. We saw the followers of sleds
in dogs that were frozen to a temperature of -22 ° (-32 ° with the wind).
By early afternoon, we made a 20 minutes circuit in ski plane and flew over lakes
Sacacomie and Eau Claire. After we had a dog sled ride of two hours. we do
not know that the walk was done on Lake Sacacomie, because in this case the activity is of no interest
because the landscape does not change. The promenade in the forest is on a half day or day
with the sleigh led by you.
 our ski plane |
 an airplane view with the Lakes in white |
|
the promenade by dog sledding |
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Today skiing: we took the trail Canitchez to get to the trail Lambert.
This trail is cataloged difficult for the final descent to the lake Lambert.
The portion of the trail Lambert used to come back to the hotel is then easier.
We regret that the cross-country ski trails are not drawn daily and
are used by everyone.
 ski trail on the trail Lambert |
 the Lake Lambert |
Sunny weather. We took the opportunity to take photos and video. We walked along the trail
the belvedere to Lake of Atocats with his tipi that is a refuge for fishermen at ice fishing.
We returned by the path of the creek that reaches to the lake Sacacomie.
In the evening we had dinner with Rachel and Claude, a couple of warm Quebecois.
 the trail of Belvedere |
 view of the Lake Sacacomie from the Belvedere |
|
the belvedere with the plane that flies over |
Sacacomie hotel from the creek trail |
thursday, february
Today cloudy with a few snowflakes. We have a day of skiing along
Canitchez trail to the lake of the same name. We went around the lake to discover the 3 tepees
indicated on the map. We have not seen and came back by way of the sugar maple.
 the cabin Canitchez |
 Canitchez Lake |
Today we have a cloudy day with the wind and a chill temperature of -25 °.
After we took a long walk through the Deer Trail, the Rexfor trail and
Canitchez trail. We went down to the lake Canitchez where 3 teepees are still missing. After investigation,
we were told that the 3 tepees were dismantled in winter. During our long walk, we met
the dog teams.
 the stable from where leave horse excursions |
 the Rexfor trail |
|
Rexfor trail |
the day trip of sled dogs |
|
the Canitchez Lake |
We
identified with
the card to make this tour because you will not find a sign for informing you that you are on the right path. |
Walk over 3 hours via Canitchez Lake, the trail of the lynx, the trail Fred to Lake of
same name and then backtracking to find the lake of Atocats and the trail of Creek.
Arriving at the kennel of sled dogs, we found the longhouse.
 the Fred Lake |
 the Fred Lake |
|
a yurt |
the longhouse |
|
the longhouse |
the trail of creek |
Arriving at Lake Fred, we never found the trail Fred, we turned around and continued to
the Atocats trail to find the Creek Trail. The yurt is not local color but
is used to heat the participants of dog sleds. The longhouse was the home
of the first inhabitants of Canada.
You must discover the hotel Sacacomie for log structure, the situation in the heart of the forest,
the view of the lake Sacacomie with shore more than 40 km. It is a pity that this hotel is also great, and
the common areas have not followed the successive enlargements. The bar is too close to the restaurant and
the noise is really a nuisance. It is a shame to have neglected the decoration of this beautiful restaurant
choosing such uncomfortable chairs and tasteless. In conclusion, this is especially
designed for snowmobilers, but not to people like us who practice skiing and snowshoeing because
tracks that are not maintained, not signposted circuits, an ice rink ridiculous and outdated equipment.
In addition, the hotel was visited by 70% of Europeans that did not offer a great escape.
This is a hotel frequented by the show business and you have pictures of Johnny Hallyday, Eddy Mitchell
and Francoise Hardy. During our stay, the artist Raphael was present.
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 |
It is with great pleasure that we find in fine weather the Baluchon, which was our favorite
in 2005. We chose to stay at the lodge of the archipelago located 1.5 km from the restaurant for 8 days .
We had room 404 with a double bed, a fireplace and a whirlpool. We had the sun
the morning and the next time we will ask the chamber 402 which is more sunny.
Sunday is the shot because many Quebecois come here to spend the day for the sumptuous
brunch whose reputation is entirely justified. We found that the micro brewery was replaced
by Eco Café under development. We were delighted to find that line became director of
Maintenance service. At dinner, Mr. Luc has recognized us and immediately called by
our names. He explained that there was now a 3 courses and 5 courses. We chose the
evening for the first 3 services but went the next day at 5 services for the wide selection offered by this formula.
Going to have breakfast, We have made the road with Lina and John.
We had breakfast with these charming Quebecois and went out the last of the restaurant.
We were pleased to be able to connect to the Internet and thanks to the perspicacity of Stéphane Milette
the computer specialist from the hostel. Again, congratulations because we have been deprived during our stay in Sacacomie.
We took the sun on the balcony of the pavilion and we have not had the courage to undertake an activity.
Time even hotter than yesterday, and we started walking the sidewalk along
of the ice rink. It is not open to the entire length because of a too mild winter. The rink 5km
is put into operation every winter on an arm of the Loup River and is illuminated every Saturday night.
We walked to the Laurentian cottage which corresponds to the end of the rink and took some pictures
and videos. In return, we visited the fall "aux trembles" next to our pavilion.
 the entrance to the Laurentian cottage |
 inside the cottage |
|
the fall "aux trembles" |
landscape from the fall |
in red, our path on skis
Another beautiful sunny day, a little cold that night with -17 ° and -3 ° this morning. The morning we have made
cross-country skiing via the path of the Maple and that of New France, then the path of the High Island.
We appreciated the quality of equipment. Shoes and skis were changed
from our last visit.
Always the sun with a cooler temperature. Today we did a cross country skiing on
the paths of the top and bottom of the island.
in red, our path on skis
Today snowstorm blocked horizon, we stayed by the fireplace.
in red, our path on skis
Today the weather is cloudy with a few falls of snow.
We did the trail of "Nouvelle France" with snowshoes by opening
sometimes the trail in fresh snow.
 the snowshoe trail virgin any passage |
 landscape of "Nouvelle France" |
|
the church of the "Nouvelle France" |
the fall "aux trembles" a view to the other side |
|
|
This year, we discovered that teepee and these two totems. |
in red, our path on skis
At 10 o'clock, we went to brunch and then we did the trail of the archipelago country skiing.
On the way we were walking with boots under the skis with good snow shower
but to return the weather was colder and we had fun to ski.
 our country skiing trail |
 luge in Quebec |
We are still delighted with our stay in this hostel. The restaurant's cuisine is one of the best of Quebec
by product quality and cooks. The service is attentive, impeccable, friendly and competent.
Thank you to Mr. Luke who we immediately recognized and called by our first name:
The Hello Mr. Charles and Mrs. Anny made us much pleasure. Thank you to Mrs. Nelly and Gentlemen
Stéphane and Louis who took care of us for dinner and Mrs. Jeannine has often served us breakfast.
Thank you to Mr. Clement, who taught us to use the fireplace in our room and thank you to our friend
Line that we have had great pleasure to review. For all these reasons we recommend again this year
monday, march
We took the bus from Louiseville (starting 1:42 p.m.) to Montreal. On the A40, we
have had a snow shower and enjoyed the dexterity of the bus driver that doubled every car calmly.
Shopping in Montreal by a temperature of -40 °
 Montreal's underground city |
 Montreal's underground city |
Shopping in Montreal,
then departure to 20H
of Montreal to Paris
with a
arrival in Paris at
8:50 Thursday, March 8.
RETURN
