Before I go on with the trip, here is a few videos about the first two parts:
Driving on George St. in St-John’s:
Road up to Bonavista:
June 7th: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador to Fermont, Québec – 560km
I had a wonderful stay with Ray and Eleanora at Biglandbedandbreakfast in Goose bay. I left around 10am towards Churchill Falls. Road was just perfect as they paved about 500km out of 550km a few years ago. Sun was shining and a couple moose even showed up by the side of the road.
I stopped in Churchill Falls where they have an hydroelectric plant. I drove up to the water reservoir to take a look. They built an artificial wall out of soil instead of concrete.
I then drove out of town to stop in a rest area and nap on a rock for an hour: such a good idea!
I arrived in Labrador City around 5pm and saw their major iron ore plant:
Quebec border is about 10 minutes from Labrador City.
Arriving in Fermont, I stopped to call my host for the night and a guy stopped by in his truck. He owned a Triumph and was curious about the trip. He then told me he was an helicopter mechanic and I started asking questions about his job. He kindly offered to show me how it works as we were really close from his helicopter. He took about 30 minutes to open up all covers and explain the mechanics. I never had the opportunity to see one of these before and really enjoyed the explanations. He was a really cool guy, thanks man!
I then drove up to my host’s place. Marcel is a friend of my parents, but I got to know him in a few fishing trips and had a really good time with him. His daughter Constance is also a good friend of mine. We had a few beers and appetizers before calling it a day.
June 8th: Fermont to Baie-Comeau – 570km
Marcel took me to two mining plant in the area. He has been managing big plumbing projects there for more than 3 years now and really knew what he was talking about. I was able to see where the trucks drop the rocks, how they get crushed, final iron product (1mm iron particles) as well as the residual material which is pumped in giant sand fields. I left his house at lunch time and after grabbing something to eat, started to ride down towards Baie-Comeau.
The road was really twisty going south. At some point, you even drive through the ghost city of Gagnon where we can still see where driveways were.
I had to go through a small bush fire at some point and something pretty cool happened:
There is a very cool hydroelectric damn up there called Manic 5. Here is what I saw when I arrived there:
June 9th: Baie-Comeau to Rivière-du-Loup – 270km
I drove up to the Forestville ferry in the morning. It was very nice out and I enjoyed the ferry as much as the ride home.
It’s a pretty quick ferry:
I gave the opportunity to my mother and brother to feel what it is like to be on my motorcycle in the evening.
Belle photo du grand nord !
Merci Guy!
It’s probably good to be back home?? When are you planning to leave for your big trip? I really enjoyed travelling with you through your pictures!
Thanks Jay, I’m leaving today.