July 6
A few days ago, as we were planning our next overnight stops, we saw this vast area dotted with islands and mini channels - a recipe for a perfect anchorage: wild, quiet, mud bottom, kayak potential.
Located at the West end of Lake St-Pierre, it is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Motoring out of the main route, we followed one of the channels. A few rustic houses on wood/cement pilotis built over marshes and tall, healthy trees bordered the channel. Many blue herons could be spotted on shore or flying. It really looked like a Canadian bayou. Instead of crocodiles, pelicans, Spanish moss on trees and shacks, you saw muskrats, blue herons, tall trees and very few pilotied houses.
Wikipedia gave me a few more details. The biosphere reserve is 480 sq. kms. The population of herons is the largest in North America. There are 290 species of birds, 90 species of fish and 27 rare plants.
It was a great anchorage, away from the main route where freighters' waves can wake you up at all hours. Our wake up call that morning was the variety of bird songs. A captivating morning choir! The only humans we saw were a very few fishermen at the end of the afternoon.
Today, we left Trois-Rivieres for Batiscan. It's a short sailing day because Batiscan is a good jump to get to Quebec City in one day. As we will be going over some rapids between Grondines and Portneuf, we plan to leave early tomorrow to pass these rapids at high tide. Yes, Trois-Rivieres is the point from which tides and currents really get serious. So our itinerary is carefully planned, discussed and reviewed multiple time to ensure safe and plaisant sailing. Frank's bible at this point is a publication of Canada's Fisheries and Oceans called Atlas of Tidal Currents. The area covered in this publication is from Trois-Rivieres to Cap de Bon-Desir (Tadoussac).
Oh, one last thing, the heavy rains didn't stop 3 teams of dragon boats to practice for 2 hours beside our anchored vessel in Trois-Rivieres. Rowing dragon boats look a lot harder than I thought. Good for them! LOL!
