Some 60+ years ago, two friends and mysqt from Queens, NY in my 35hp Triumph Herald convertible for a camping trip. Our goal was to go as far north as we could before turning back. We ended up going up and over the Gaspe Peninsula. We went north on the east side and came down on the west. Obviously we covered a lot of ground so I'll just mention a very few places up in the peninsula being curious to hear from those who may know how these places may have changed over the years.

For the most part we found the peninsula to be wild and undeveloped - it was beautiful. We continued north until we came to the tiny town of Perce that had a small restaurant, homes, and maybe shops. There was also a dock where a fellow with a boat would take you out to see Perce Rock, sort of a natural arch not far off shore and around Boneventure Island, further offshore, sticking up like a top hat - flat on top and intriguing cliffs on the sides.

Reaching Perce our camping guidebook mentioned a campground half a mile from Perce, I believe called "Gargantua Camping. It turned out what was meant was half mile above Perce. We turned off on the steep access road and up we went using every bit of the 35hp as I zig zagged up the road, at times my friends getting out and walking to help the Triumph make it up. Arriving at the campground we found some camping spaces and a few log cabins. The wind up there was too strong to pitch our tent so we found the proprietor and rented a cabin for the night. The cabin was very basic, but compared to our small tent, luxurious.

To be continued. Next getting down from the mountain and an unforgettable day on an island where we, together with thousands of birds were the only population.

I purchased a copy of Cruising Club of America Cruising Guide to Gulf of St.Lawrence, as the cover states:
"Written and illustrated by experienced ocean sailors who have been there"
It appears that it is still, for the most part, wild and undeveloped.
In the guide poutine stands and snack bars get honorable mention,

Not trying to butt in, but 55 years ago my first wife and I honeymooned in the Gaspe Peninsula (as well as Montreal and Quebec City.) We'd never been to France, but it was entirely possible to imagine we were. We'd wanted to go to Ste. Pierre and Miquelon, the French islands off Newfoundland, but didn't have the time.

Here are a couple of pictures from that trip. A different time, a different land...

Drying cod -



Aground



Dockside





Fileting the catch



Perce

Currently living in Montréal and have never been to the Gaspé Peninsula. Looking forward to hearing about more of your trip. Did the Triumph Herald convertible have a back seat?

Nice retro photos Gardyloo.

Enjoyed the photos too.
Regarding the Herald, yes it did have a vestigial back seat that could have been usefull for a small kid or two. Of the of three us adults Ira got the back seat and had to sit sideways. it did have a nice trunk to store a 3 person "-pup" tent, sleeping bags and some gear.

I should finish up this Gaspe trip with a description of our incredible day on Boneventure Island. Back then there really weren't organized tours of the Island. We drove down our mountain learning the true meaning of brake fade on the way down even descending in lowest possible gear. Finally down we went to the dock and found a fellow giving a boat tour around the Island and off we went. The guy with the boat told us there is a place with stairs where one could go up on the Island and he could let us off for the day coming back for us at an arranged time late afternoon, but better be there if we did not want to spend the night. We would be the only people on the Island that day. We jumped at the chance.

Now Boneventure is the seasonal nesting ground of the Northern Gannet, a bird looking like a large seagull. That day was part of nesting season and we were there exploring the Island among tens of thousands of nesting gannets pecking at our ankles. It was wonderful. Getting to the cliff edge we spotted Puffins in the cliff below us. So we spent a day the only humans among tens of thousands of several species of birds all around us. It was hard to tear ourselves away meeting our boat back to the mainland.
The rest of our adventure was up and over the peninsula and down the other side, but that is another TR.

Thank you Basingstoke and Gardyloo. Enjoyed the trip report and pictures.