Back to Montreal

  After taking the ferry from Digby, NS, to St John, NB, on Sunday morning, as expected the U.S. riders who were riding their own motorcycles headed for home rather than returning to Montreal.  I and all the riders on rental motorcycles continued onward up the scenic St John River valley as the temperature rose to near 90 F (near 30 C), stopping for lunch at a Mexican-style bar and grill in downtown Fredericton and then spending Sunday night in Woodstock, NB, where we were again treated with a luxurious catered dinner of baked salmon, prime rib, and roast chicken, with various potato and vegetable side dishes, plus desserts and fresh fruits.

  On Monday we continued northward along the river under overcast skies and occasional spritzes, stopping briefly to visit the world's longest covered bridge in the village of Hartland and for lunch in Grand Falls at the Hilltop Restaurant overlooking the falls and gorge.  That evening we were guests at the weekly meeting of the Riviere du Loup Rotary Club where we exchanged banners, learned about the community service and international service projects their club is involved in, and told them about the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians.

  Today we left Riviere du Loup early and rode in dense fog, tinged with smoke from the forest fires in northern Quebec, until we crossed the St Lawrence River at Quebec City and found sunnier skies and much warmer temperatures on the north side of the great river.  We stopped again at Donnacona for lunch then hurried on to the Montreal area to check in the rental bikes and complete our tour with a leisurely and luxurious 'farewell dinner' at the Imperia Hotel.

   What a glorious trip it has been . . . and what great new Rotary friendships we have developed with everyone who participated in the tour.

   Here is a photo taken at Hamel Honda of everyone who completed the tour on one of the rental motorcycles they provided.  The two gentlemen standing in the back row at left are one of the dealership owners and the sales/rental manager.  The dealership, like other groups we visited during the tour, have been eager to document their participation as part of their own history; and we have been glad to oblige.