| Rte. 138 on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River | | | | Even though this place is not in the tourist books or on |
| is known as the Whale Watching Trail. Thirteen | | | | the map, there was a constant stream of visitors to |
| species of whale visit the North coast of the Gulf of | | | | take in the view. |
| St. Lawrence during the summer months in search of | | | | Baie Comeau was established by Robert McCormick, |
| plentiful plankton. The road traverses many different | | | | owner of the Chicago Tribune, because of his need |
| ecosystems, from the hardwood forests of birches | | | | for pulp wood to make newsprint. Besides the logging |
| and maples to spruce and fir forested mountains, mud | | | | industry, Alcoa Aluminum has a large processing plant |
| flat coastal plains, and rugged rocky shores. At Baie | | | | there. |
| Ste Catherine the road ends and a ferry ride of fifteen | | | | Take the eleven mile trip to the hydro-electric dam, |
| minutes takes you across the Saguenay River Fjord, | | | | Manix 2. We had planned to visit the dam on our way. |
| where the forested mountains kiss the waters. For a | | | | The journey of ten miles takes almost one half an |
| distance of forty miles on either side of the fjord is | | | | hour, due to the terrain of the roads, a roller coaster |
| Parc Saguenay, a Provincial Park of Quebec. This is | | | | ride. |
| an excellent place to catch a whale watching | | | | The dam is pretty impressive. It is one of a series of |
| excursion, which also takes you up into the fjord. On | | | | nine hydro-electric dams in the area, which produces |
| our way across the fjord we had to wait while one of | | | | about thirty percent of the electrical needs for all of |
| these boats made its way up the fjord. Nearby, just | | | | Provence Quebec. The ninety minute tour was in |
| South of Baie Ste. Catherine is a casino, where you | | | | French, but there are English translations. The guide |
| can try your luck at the slots or gaming tables. | | | | takes you through the interior of the dam itself (very |
| There is a scenic outlook stop just outside of | | | | impressive), and the powerhouse, where you actually |
| Ragueneau, about ten miles South of Baie Comeau. | | | | saw the electricity being made by the massive |
| What greets you is very surprising: two coral-pink | | | | turbines. The process is like a water mill. The water |
| concrete dinosaurs and a white 100 foot obelisk. The | | | | flows over the wheel, which spins a larger wheel |
| area was the brain child of M. Rinald Girard, who | | | | surrounded by electromagnets. The spinning causes |
| wanted to erect a monument to the spirit of the area. | | | | negative and positive charges with the magnets: ergo |
| The dinosaurs represent the forces of nature and the | | | | AC current. |
| beauty of the region before recorded history. The | | | | The ferry from Baie Comeau to Matane offers many |
| obelisk represents the bounty of benevolence which | | | | different services: dining room, cafeteria, bar, play room |
| the area has given to the settlers. At the site is a boat | | | | for children, and lounge chairs. It is late whjen you |
| ramp, numerous potted plants, and a gazebo with | | | | reach the other sid of the St. Lawrence River. You |
| benches and tables to watch the birds on the offshore | | | | can stay on the dock until morning. |
| islands, the harbor seals, and the occasional whale. | | | | |