smclelan

Some really nice water fall pics. The tripod makes all the difference with them. What shutter speed were they taken at?

If it sounds like a duck.......LOL Yes Linda it is for snowmobiles, and VTT's. The bridge is just past Chandler on the TQ5 before coming to Perce. It is a very impressive structure.

Here is a picture I took 6 miles behind Mont Saint Pierre last weekend. This was from the road leading from MSP to Mont Jacques Cartier or the Gaspesie National Park.

Looks like a Woodland Caribou.

You Guys must be talking about a different Thad then I have rode with..... I rode with Mario. BTW when you say he rides close on your bumper is that because you carry a short tow rope? Stay out of the new-growth timber!!

Nice Pics. That must be this years calf. I was going to send you a note and ask if you knew where in PQ the forest fire was. There was smoke all the way to my place in Nova Scotia. You could smell the wood burning, it must be a big fire.

GREAT NEWS!!! THE BLOCKADE IS OVER!!!! The Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Quebec (FCMQ) is pleased to announce that, following a series of productive meetings with Mr. Sylvain Gaudreault, Transport Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, as the Ministry of Transport has offered FCMQ a budget of about $ 3 million over 3 years to fund infrastructure projects and the draft regional implementation of labor FCMQ. The distribution of these 3 million will be $ 400,000 for labor and $ 600 regionalized implement 000 infrastructure. Mr. Gaudreault has demonstrated a strong desire to contribute to the sustainability of the snowmobile industry and understands the urgency of the project sustainable trail that is currently under development. FCMQ greatly thank Mr. Gaudreault have opened the door as quickly a common understanding between the provincial authorities. Mr. Gaudreault has reassured FCMQ a committee will be established to evaluate other sources of funding to meet the objectives of the proposed public-private partnership at the provincial and federal level. Recall that the original application was FCMQ 4.5 million ($ 500,000 per year for regional development and $ 1 million for infrastructure). Finally, Marc-André Boivin, CEO FCMQ, was very enthusiastic about this offer from the Department of Transport: "The snowmobile industry in Quebec generates $ 2 billion economic impact annually! It was absolutely necessary to develop a financial partnership to maintain and improve our infrastructure. This will also provide labor in the region to support clubs in their tasks. What is wonderful is that behind this important for winter tourism economic engine there snowmobilers who are not only passionate, but have also shown solidarity and commitment to the future of their industry. ".

Can I go too? No wait, I will stay on the ground and keep an eye on the wine!!

I am not sure Jean Guy if a plane would effect your balance......but I have witnessed on more than one occasion where red wine has effected it!!

I am looking for a picture of the new suspension bridge in Grande Rivierre between Chandler and Perce. Has anyone got a good picture they could post? Thanks, Steven

Fuel is only one part of the equation, and has nothing to do with this issue. The ask the FCMQ is looking for relates to infrastructure dollars. The Department of Enviroment has put a huge cost on snowmobiling. The bridge standards that have to be met to cross even small brooks, not to mention bigger streams and rivers. The cost of due diligence in signage, trail marking, sight lines, brush cutting,...... all come at huge costs. There is much more to operating a trail system than running a groomer. Snowmobiling in PQ puts $200 million in taxes into provincial coffers and $160 million into Federal annually. They are asking for a little bit of that back over the next 3 years.

How can you help? I believe the best thing that could be done at this point is write lots of emails. Is there a few businesses you were planning on visiting or staying with on your trip next winter? Send them a letter telling them you are planning to spend your winter tourism dollars somewhere else next winter. You can write the same one and send it to several different places. Make sure they know snowmobiling is the reason for you to come to their business, and your $$ will go to other states or provinces if the trails are not opened. In the email you should recommend your message get forwarded along to government. Real power of the email is when it is sent to government by a business owner that is employing several peole and paying taxes. With less visits, less staff is required, and business may even have to shut down for the winter. This whole issue is over lack of support from government to help with infrastructure dollars to help maintan trails and bridges. Just my thoughts

Keep an eye on this topic!

Thoughts and prayers with you Bill. Steven

Looks like you have had lots of rain, things look wet there.

No more tree cutting also means no more good browse areas for the moose to feed around the camp!! Your camp was safe from tree cutting being right on the brook. Good thing they replaced the bridge when they did, it likely would not get fixed in a protected area.

Happy Birthday Bill, Hope you enjoy it with family and friends.

51 !!! Tabarnack you are older than dirt now!! Happy Birthday Buddy. Maybe we will get up to this area again in the summer.

Atta Boy Jack! You are still riding, that is the main thing. Only a true riders posts pics of their own foupas (sp).

I would not be surprised that this time of year the trail status could say "closed". However that could simply be a function of liability, I suspect if the club has stopped grooming they would list their trails as closed. Having a groomer go through an area on a regular basis throughout the season also identifies hazards (fallen trees, wash outs....etc) so if they are not grooming anymore the trails become listed as closed.

The North Shore of the Gaspesie is one of my favorite places!!

Welcome aboard ODog. I had a friend ask me to go sledding in Quebec with him 13 years ago, he said it is a trip of a life time. Well 13 years later I have made easily 30 trips to Quebec snowmobiling and likely 10 times going up on car drives, snowshoeing, or hiking. I am a Quebec Addict. Quebec is every bit as beautiful in the other three seasons as it is in winter.

This was my poorest mileage year in a long time. Between work and the snowmobile association I was held down to 2000 miles. I will make up for it next year.

Some nice pictures there Groomer.

A great show in Quebec City! Over 6800 people went through. Lots of people talking the the talk, and according to the DSM's there were quite a few orders placed right at the show.