Well, I just posted that last post like a minute ago, but truly it’s a week old. It seems like forever ago. I did not end up sleeping on the wharf that night. I ended up staying at new friend Alex’s place- and I stayed with her for the next 3 nights. I’m not sure yet how to describe those days because they were full of curious personalities and situations to which and whom I had very strong reactions and I don’t want to be a total asshole when I describe them, so maybe I’ll wait a minute. Also, there are a lot of pictures and I’ll get to posting those soon.
Now, I’m at L’Anse Saint Jean. It is so beautiful. The whole drive here was stunning, it felt like an Appalachian version of Switzerland- does that even make sense? Cute, tiny villages nestled within mountains smaller than the Alps. L’Anse Saint Jean is a fjord or is it on a fjord? Not sure how to use fjord in a sentence. And it is wonderful even though the weather has been rainy and overcast since I got here last night. And, last night I decided not to stay at a campground! I found a place on the free camping website which is basically just a little spot on the road right on the water and open to travelers passing through. It was perfect. With camping I always feel this pressure to get up at a relatively decent time because you’re surrounded by a bunch of people- it feels like the suburbs of the outdoors where people are judging you on your productivity, or else they’re wondering if you’ve died in your car. So, I feel like I have to make a show of getting up, making it clear I’m alive, look like I’m doing stuff around my car, and then sometimes I go back to sleep. I know, in reality, probably no one is paying any attention to me. But, here, in the wild, it doesn’t matter. It’s very relaxing. And also campsites charge extra to be close to the water and you’re packed next to a bunch of people- the suburb thing again- and here, I was parked next to only one car of two lovely German girls that were here on a work/travel year and were doing the same thing as me.
So, I have to be in Colorado on the 29th and I’m heading farther into Quebec. Obviously at some point I’ll need to turn around. But, today, I’m working outside at a cafe on the fjord and I may stay here one more night before I head a little more up the St. Lawrence to Les Escoumins where apparently I will be able to see whales. Alex, my new friend, said if I was very brave I may even do a kayak ride in the river, but I’m not sure it’s bravery I need as much as core and upper body strength, because the last time I did a kayak ride on a lazy river in Florida, I almost threw up.
A note about my check engine light- it turns on and off whenever it feels like it. Though, in the two places I love the most so far- Florida and Quebec- the light has been mostly off. It is always on in Virginia.