Zen
Goes 'Safari'
in Shawinigan
FEB. 9 2003
PLEASE
click on the photos below
to see them enlarged. Most are small,
but a few are huge and full of detail.
I left St-Zenon at 1 PM with clear directions from Bernard, on how to get to Shawinigan South via a series of short cuts through the Quebec countryside on secondary roads. I got totally lost, but I saw some neat stuff... this church for instance.
(Huge Photo)
I finally arrived at the Motel Safari in Shawinigan, at 4 PM, and was greeted by an enthusistic Bernard as I pulled in. I was an hour late.
He was waiting for me in the big secure parking lot, where he locks up all the enclosed snowmobile trailers and the trucks.
I met Bernard's lovely wife and a few of his guests who had also just pulled in. Yeah, they knew all about Zenwaiter. Bernard and I marvelled at the power of the internet. "You're a star Zen" he said, and we both shook our heads.
We jumped into Bernard's car and raced over to see the a local snowmobile trail across the highway, which was in A1 shape.
Then he took me down to the river to see the last few events of the Shawinigan Races. This was the final day of a week long festival event that Bernard himself initiated some ten years ago.
Budwieser Beer... It's everywhere! We headed past the giant beer can, and into the red tent where Bernard treated me to a steamed hot dog, French fries, and Pepsi, the national diet of Quebec.
The girls behind the counter wanted their photos taken with the star; Bernard!
Then we ran into a few of the organizers that Bernard knew well.
Outside the tent there was an Austin Mini raffle.
Then we walked over to the pits.
Then we got closer to the track and saw racers preparing to get on the ice.
And finally, we settled in to watch some action.
As the light started to fade, they cleaned the track. This track will now be used as a giant public skating rink for the remainder of the winter season in Shawinigan.
Meanwhile, back at the Safari Motel,
clients were still arriving, and of course, Bernard made good on his famous FREE BEER policy.
Everyone wanted to pose with Zen.
And Bernard...
One of the fellas shows off his new alarm device...
Then we asked Melissa to model for us in the hot tub...
She turned out to be a lovely willing and enthusiastic swimmer!
Bernard massaged her toes. Zen wanted to jump right in, but restrained his
desire.
Hands off Zen, she's married with children!
As nighttime fell, Bernard invited us all to eat at a cool 50's restaurant in town. They had cars right in the place!
Zen got to sit with the pretty young thing, and tried his best to be charming.
Bernard bought me a sizzling steak that was amazing. So much for the Zen diet!
When we got back, my car had been washed by one of the Motel workers, in the
Safari heated garage, where everyone can get their trailers and trucks cleaned
up.
Zen said his good-byes, and headed home in the dark. Rocky was waiting patiently to go out for his evening constitutional.
Thanks Bernard for a great day. I hope many people will come and stay at your place this winter.
Thanks for supporting the Zenman's web site.
zw
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819-536-2664
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