Content Summary
Our subsequent visit in Quebec centered around immersing ourselves in nature, perfectly timed for the autumn season.
Although the past few days had been rather cool, on this particular day, the weather unexpectedly turned warm enough to invite an abundance of ladybugs into the air. This occurrence typically signifies their preparation for colder days, but the sudden warmth brought them out in droves; there were countless of them!
Nevertheless, we departed from Auberge and its picturesque lake and proceeded to Montcalm Regional Park, where we would experience a unique insight into the nomadic lifestyles of Quebec’s First Nations people through Amishk Aventures Amérindiennes.
We settled in our tent within the forest, marking my first experience of this nature, particularly in Canada.
After organizing our belongings, we ventured to explore the surrounding forest atmosphere.
It was delightfully tranquil, filled with secluded spots to unwind and appreciate the stunning scenery.
Particularly enchanting, families of beavers roamed the area without a worry in the world.
We positioned ourselves near one of their dams, witnessing their industrious behavior firsthand. It was truly remarkable, especially as I hadn’t seen beavers this closely before, and observing their enhanced impact on the ecosystem around them was captivating.
It’s astounding how these small creatures can fell substantial trees with their teeth and manage to arrange the wood to create dams, significantly transforming their habitat.
In terms of environmental transformation, the only creature I’ve observed effecting such profound changes to landscapes is the African elephant, albeit far more substantial in size.
Eventually, I reluctantly left the beavers’ domain to embark on a rowing excursion on the adjacent lake, a requisite before nightfall.
Rowing in the lake was an extraordinary and somewhat surreal experience due to its calmness. The serene atmosphere was only interrupted by the gentle sounds of birds preparing to settle for the night.
Originating from a bustling city like London, where even the early hours of the morning demand a window shut due to external noise, this encounter in nature felt particularly special. It encapsulated the tranquility often overlooked when living in an urban environment.
That evening, dinner was prepared by our First Nations host, after which we retreated to our sleeping arrangements, excited to further explore Montcalm forest.
Upon awakening the next morning, our plans to further explore were thwarted by persistent rain.
Consequently, we opted to remain indoors, enjoying pots of tea and light snacks while learning traditional crafting skills from the First Nations family.
Although I struggled with creating some intricate designs, I chose to construct a medicines pouch. It was an enjoyable project, albeit more challenging than I had originally anticipated.
The rain began to lighten, and after a quick lunch, we bid farewell to Amishk Aventures Amérindiennes and proceeded to our next destination, a nearby town whose name I had immense fun attempting to pronounce (a hint: it’s adjacent to the Prime Minister’s residence).
Further insights will be shared in the next installment.
