Day
ONE: AL & TINA RIDE! (SCROLL down for
day 2.)
Al
Verkest managed to get a few days off work, and finally brought his sweetheart
up to have some fun in St-Michel-des-Saints and St-Zenon! They took the upstairs
of the zenshack to sack out, and they are off doing the tour around Lake Taurau
this morning on a perfect day, just a tad cool, and no bugs! They are each riding
a 650, and will have plenty of power. These are good people, having a good time.
They say to you all, "Wish you were here!" Tina is from Texas, so she
lays the drawl on a little heavy at time..."You all!. This is Sunday. Tomorrow,
Zen rides with Al, then Al and Tina go horsey riding in St-Jean-de-Matha on Tuesday
morning before heading back for work in New York. More photos tomorrow! zen
I
can't get the ca\mera to focus, but they focus on checking the gear before heading
out. Al is a pro, and knows the trails around our area better than anyone.
Check
one, check two...They have to get the radios working so that Tina can give Al
shit when he goes too fast! I'll be doing the same when we take off tomorrow.
They
came up over a hill and found this major washout ! They were on a trail that is
closed and didn't realize it.
They
were wonderful house guests, and they are welcome back anytime! A big thank you
to these two for their kindness and generosity. They left me loaded with sharp
American cheese, Mike's Lemonade, pistachio nuts, and cashews! Thank you! zw
Al
sticks the communicator by Collett, into the foam on my helmet and it fits well.
We
stop to grab some fresh batteries for my camera, and we run into Blue Eyes, and
her son Sam. We all have reason to smile. For more on France and husband Serge
Click Here.I
follow Al past the Cabanon, where some road work is being done to improve the
road to Lake Stanislas where Al's refuge is.
Click
for Crazy Al.We
are heading in the direction of Hotel Sacacomie, St-Alexis-des-Monts. We know
the French owner of Sacacomie hates having quads (or sleds) drop in to see his
beautiful hotel in the summer, (or at any time for that matter), but we still
head in that direction because we want to have lunch at the Bar Des Pins like
we did last year. This year Curt and the others jammed out, and poor Al only had
me along!
The cooler you see on my Grizzly is busted, and Al blames me.
Every time we head down hill, ice from the cooler pops out and melts on my seat.
My trousers are totally wet by the time we've gone two hours. Al enjoys this.
The
lakes along the way are beautiful and the air is cool today. There are no bugs.
The dust is down due to a good rain overnight. I n short, it is the perfect day
for a quad trek.
Here
we start heading downhill towards the river near the park entrance. My batteries
are already dead so I don't take too many pictures. I have to spring 100. bucks
for new digital camera batteries, and I just don't have the cash. I hate it when
that happens! I make do.
At
one point Al pulls over to consult the map. Ooops, no map. He is a walking map,
but... they've changed the trail. The entire trail is different because they are
doing logging. We find ourselves on this brand new detour trail which is dazzlingly
beautiful. I feel like I am riding in a Yamaha magazine ad! Unreal.
Al
is lost. He doesn't recognize anything. He pulls out the huge sack of Pistachio
nuts and starts eating. Munch munch munch. Al is no used to feeling this way,
but I am supremely confident in his abilities. We ride on and find some signage...
that feels better, at least we are on the trail.
Finally
we approach the Park Gate, and Al recognizes everything, as do I, from last years'
ride.
We
grab a tasty home made pizza in the Bar des Pines, and visit the waitress who
gets the chance to practice her English on Al.
She tells us that the Sacacommie
owner, though somewhat cold in his demeanor, does send European groups over for
a beer now and again, but never for a meal. He always calls up first, then 40
or more walk in the door.
The Euros that come to our country, always buy
a package deal and everything is included. A week costs about 5,000. cnd, and
includes all rentals, clothing, tips, everything.
The locals know that
the American tourist is just the opposite. He wants to roam around unfettered,
and you won't be telling him where he ought to eat, though many of you remember
Lulu, who was famous for calling people up in their motel rooms, to insist they
come to eat his steaks. Many people I have met really resented this attitude then,
and still fume about it today.
But the days of dictating to the American
tourist are over. They want the choice and the freedom to ride and eat where they
want, when they want. We must respect them if we expect them to keep returning
to Quebec.
We are lucky to have the St-Zenon Bistro now, where the American
style meals are just what the doctor ordered. Lee, the owner, knows how to serve
the steaks up just right, and no one has to do any arm twisting, the place is
always packed! You should see the size of the darn lobster tails that balance
on his huge steak platters! MMMM! Not to mention the lovely and very sexy Nicky
who serves it up at your table. Do not miss the Bistro when you come up here.
(But I digress....back to the ride)
Al
gets a photo of me with the hostess, who was very kind.
Then
on a stomach full of pizza, we ride back... bumpety bump.
There's
no longer a gas station up here, but Al comes prepared and fills us both up.
The
ride is very smooth considering the roughness of the trails. The 660 Yamaha Grizzly
is equipped with four wheel independent suspension, a huge improvement over last
years' ride, when I rode a 350 Honda rental from RVR.
The
sun begins to blaze a bit, and my obvious good looks radiate to such an extent
that Al is forced to take my picture...woof! Getting older...again!
This
was my main view all day! The view is very similar in winter! Same helmet with
face shield up.
The
end of another perfect day of riding with Al Verkest draws to a close, and the
sun is blinding in the dusty trail back to St-Zenon. Al is really one of a kind.
Thanks buddy for a great day! zw
