PARC NATIONAL DU BIC
The birds are singing, the wind carries salt, and the fog moves slowly across the sky. A peaceful image that calms my mind more than anything else right now. It was the first morning there when we woke up to this quiet, wide, wild, and picturesque land.
We were at Bic by the St Lawrence River, just before the ocean at a peninsula.
SEAWEED AND SHELLS
We sit by the rocky shore on a day when all we will do is watch the seals and bike to one of the bays of Bic. I had no time to research what this landscape offers since it was a last-minute plan. But no research or offers were necessary when you can just simply appreciate walking by the water, listening to the sounds of rocks moving under our feet which was a pause on everything going on in our daily lives. I was mesmerized by that mystic view that I have never seen similar.
Seaweeds caught my attention. I touched their slimy skin with hesitation. I wanted to draw them, pick them, squash them, and make ink with them with a sudden desire. The same rush felt me that this time will pass so quickly and I won't be able to do what I want here or in my life. We sit on the rocks. I started drawing. It was the time I came across a very unique rock with attached seaweed. That sculptural plant was waiting for the next tide but also still carrying the shapes of waves of waves in a dramatic way. It was kind of a symbol of both stillness and movement.
SEAL WATCHING
Tide was coming towards us slowly. I was able to understand every time I rise up my head from my sketchbook. I grabbed the binoculars to see approaching seals. I thought we were there for hours but the time was still before noon. We counted the seals on the rocks, we watched them pushing each other to the water; their silver-coloured skin was shiny.
CYCLING
Carrying the bikes here was one of the best ideas although the park offers renting bikes. We toured all peninsula and wandered around the bays, woods, and first settlers' houses.
TRAILS & BOTANICALS
I tried to appreciate enough watching the sunrise & sunset which I don't get a chance to catch this simple pleasure in my daily life in Toronto. We came to that point by cycling in the woods and then walking by the wild berries. Bic has trails that take you to different experiences and feelings. One that you walk in the pink roses to reach out to the shore, one that ends up with a bench where you can sit and appreciate the view, one that you walk into woods to reach a wide bright sandy beach... I was observing plants, mushrooms and lichens in these landscapes but was specifically looking for Quebec's provincial flower. However, I could not find that delicate iris in this salty wilderness.
WILDLIFE
As we strolled along the shore, we stumbled upon a fox devouring a chunk of something. Intrigued, we drew closer to investigate. To our surprise, it was a large piece of seal skin. Fascinated, we observed as the fox carefully stashed it away. Suddenly, an eagle swooped down, sending the fox scampering off into the distance. Left alone in the tranquil rocky bay, the distant calls of loons added to the enchanting atmosphere. Mesmerized, we watched the sun dip below the horizon.
CAMPING SITE
The camping site seemed busy to me but we rarely came across anyone on the shores or hills. Some days were rainy, some days we thought of swimming, and some were windy. We made a fire, cooked on fire, drink by the fire... There was a tree on our camping site. Suddenly we realized that there was a bird on the tree sitting on her babies. We watched another bird bringing food for her and their babies. It was a lovely family. I enjoyed seeing all the animals like foxes, rabbits, and deer comfortable enough to approach our camping site.
FORAGING & WALKING ON THE ROCKS
On the final day, we visited Anse a Capelans and wandered along the rocks on the peninsula. Distracted by the wild blueberries and the surrounding scenery, we unintentionally reached the end of the peninsula. It was a pleasant walk that began by the shore and led us onto a trail afterward.
LOCAL FOOD
We had decided not to cook on that day although the camp food was fun and fulfilling. We wanted to get the advantage of being on the poutine land and being close to the ocean so we visited a local restaurant for take-out. We went back to the shore, made a picnic and drink ice cider from Quebec.
There was a day when we made an early morning to head to Rimouski where the lighthouse is with the hope to find a birdie. We could not come across but instead, we tried some local shops in the town. There was a chocolaterie which has lots of different flavours crafted with the collaboration of local shops. We went to the cheese shop after that and grabbed a few Quebec-made cheeses and then the smoked meat shop. And it became inevitable to do a cheese board for the night.
It was so nice to be close to nature and new geography. Sitting by the water and enjoying the slow time. And here I am, craving this way of living, again.
