ZEN'S
PAY SITE
Still free until December 1, 2004
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Monts
Valins Quebec
Early Season Snow Ride; Nov 26 2004
This is the church in the village of Falardeau.
Every small village has a huge Catholic Church,
built on the backs of the local inhabitants at the
turn of the century. In Quebec, there was no
need to build anything but the Catholic churches,
everyone else was going to hell! Hand built by the
locals, these enormous structures have become a financial
burden in a modern world, where very few still
attend.
This is the Auberge du Barrage, it is one of a half a dozen buildings
that were originally built in about 1900, to house the offices and
the workers of dam. It is totally renovated inside, and is very cozy
with beautiful pine wood floors.
The big wood stove keeps everyone warm, and the
place is totally self sufficient for energy and water. A good place
to be in a nuclear holocaust! You could fish and hunt for food, and
live in comfort. The supply of firewood is endless.
Outside my door in the morning, I discovered these little foot prints.
These remind me of my little ermine that lived under my house last
winter in St-Zenon.
Here is the big dam across from my chalet. It was built mainly to
control the waters that flow down below to other dams and other communities.
It was originally built in the 1800's, to protect against tragic flooding
that destroyed homes and lives in the past.
Hard to get a good shot with my camera. This is a big Jay. The birds
and wildlife around here are numerous.
We got more snow overnight. On these mountains, it will snow almost
daily all winter until late April, and there will never be less than
5 feet of snow everywhere.
Janet is a real independent and resourceful single mother. She is
physically strong, and has an iron will. Janet is ex military, single,
and headstrong. She is also very beautiful, sweet as apple pie, and
affectionate with all her guests. She works non stop from sun up till
sun down, and is an excellent chef in the kitchen. She speaks perfect
English, and is very helpful and concerned about you having a great
time on the trails.
Janet drives me about one kilometer up the road to the Zec. The Zec
has a private trail system of snowmobile trails, which are groomed
on a regular basis. They are built to link up all the lakes and cottages
that are privately owned.
Inside the office, these good folks keep the lights on, and offer
a small cafeteria menu, as well as your trail passes, which cost 25.
cnd for one visit.
Here is the price sign on the wall. These trails connect with the
Federation trail, but are manages separately.
Here we see the gas tanks and the emergency sled.
They also have a few dozen little garages like this one, where many
leave their snowmobiles permanently in top security, all year long.
Why ride anywhere else right! They have trails 6 months out of every
year!
Then Janet showed me the trails that link to civilization.
Janet took me to the dam, and offered me the grand tour. She has an
arrangement with the electric company, where, she has designed a historical
tour of the place, and actually is the guide as well. Janet is very
adept at organizing tourism programs in the region, and mobilizing
funds from several levels of government. Her work has improved the
region in a powerful way.
As you know, I am terrified of heights. I had to follow Janet down
a steep see through stair well that paralyzed me. Under my feet, we
see the sheer power of the water flowing through the turbines.
Oh yeah! here is power all right!
Deep inside the dam, Janet explains
everything. She tells me that many older
tourists tell her they know all about old
equipment like this turbine. Over one
hundred years old and still running perfect.
Working together with the company Abitibi Consolidated, Janet deigns
several panels that explain the history of the dam project. Like I
sad, this gal is a fire cracker! Very bright and very knowledgeable.
My tour continues, Janet explains all about the
emergency drop zones she has installed in the
entire area. Numbered emergency evac heli sites
ensure that anyone getting hurt will get to medical
attention quickly. This is the first time I have seen
or heard of such a thing. Very good thinking.
Janet also designed, organized, and sold this map system to all the
motels in the area. This panel appears everywhere on the trail, stating
mileage from one spot to anther, and indicating the evac drop areas.
This gal is on it! She has a mother's heart, and worries about the
safety of her tourists, in all seasons, in all sporting activities.
She never stops... always developing one project after another. Here
she shows me her new signs for a guided tour of the dam.
Finally back in the warmth of her kitchen, she introduces
me to the love of her life, twenty year old Michelle,
who works with her to keep everyone well fed and happy.
On the walls in the auberge, are all the snowmobile maps
you could ever need. This is a good spot to stick on your
list of yearly rides, the early ride!
For solid info about how to get up
to Monts Valin,
and where to ride, contact the SkiDoo
dealer...
Équipements Villeneuve inc.
1178, boul. Sainte-Geneviève
Chicoutimi-nord (Québec)
G7G 2G6
Ph.: (418) 543-3600
Toll Free: 1-877-543-3600
Please tell 'em that Zenwaiter sent
ya!
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