July 15, 2025 Got To Keep Moving

 Tuesday July 15, 2025   Quebec City to Cap-a- L'aigle    83 miles and 7.6 hours

Quebec was great but after several days landbound and walked to exhaustion it was time to get moving again.  Forecast has been looking decent for the next few travel days, but we woke up this morning to some serious smoky haze from wildfires out west.  Timing for departure was dictated by our travel books to maximize a positive current. Leave Quebec at high tide which is at 10 AM. We should arrive Cap-a-L'aigle about 4PM an hour after their low tide.  Opted for a pump out at Quebec before leaving since we had the time.  Then with it being high tide, the lock gates were already open and the lockmaster just had to raise the bridge to let two sailboats and us out. 

At high tide the lockmaster is able to keep the gates open
but still needs to lift the bridge to let us out of the marina. 
Haze in the distance only got worse as the day progressed

Adverse current for the first 45 minutes then quickly changed to outgoing and we got moving!  We saw upwards of an extra 5mph at times. Air temperatures into the 80's and water low 70's in Quebec. No rain forecast so we drove up top all day.  

Putting Quebec in the rearview mirror

We could tell the scenery was impressive as we continued down river, but the smoky haze had an incredibly dulling effect. Almost like being in moderate fog but we knew it wasn't.  Did not make for a good picture taking day.  We are approaching the Saguenay River Fjord which is famous for its breathtaking scenery and world class congregations of whales.  Amazing to see the silty St. Lawrence River water clears up as the cold 55 degree salt water starts mixing into it.  Today we spotted several white Beluga whales but unfortunately never close enough for picture taking.  They're endangered and protected so strict rules in play about approaching them.  Possibility of seeing up to 9 different whale species and numerous dolphin and seals over the next few days.   

Would be a gorgeous scenic day if not for the smoky haze

As long as we're cruising with the current all is good.  Against it - not so much.

It was amazing how cool it got once a breeze blew across the 55-degree water. 
Shorts and t-shirts quickly swapped out for long pants and sweatshirts

Finally made it to Cap-a-L'aigle marina.  Nothing fancy but it's a safe harbor and the only real one between Quebec and our next stop of Tadoussac on the Fjord-du-Saguenay.  A bit of a tight fit for our boat but we looked like seasoned pros spinning the boat and laying it against the dock while the locals gawked.  Still not sure if it was because of the size of the boat - or our docking skills.

Tied up at Cap-a-L'aigle.

Journey for July 15, 2025