We woke to a light rain, and a quick weather report advised us we could expect on and off showers with periods of heavy rain.

We walked across an empty parking lot to the small Walmart, and noticed how deserted the mall was. Most of the shops were boarded up. A few essential providers seemed to be hanging on with limited inventory.

On the drive out of town on a gloomy wet day, we noticed many houses for sale, and before leaving town, passed a huge Bombardier factory – with an empty staff parking lot. A quick google search confirmed the plant was shut down.

We were seeing the domino effect of business and politics, and how it has affected the community supply chain and property market. It’s sad when business puts politics before people.

We left town, and turned back onto the highway heading east, with lots of rain.

Just before noon, we saw a magnificent church off the side of the highway. We turned off at a small town Saint-Louis-du-Ha!-Ha! to check it out.

No sooner had we returned to the car, the rain resumed and steadily increased.

Shortly after leaving the town, the sky opened and we drove into a torrential downpour. We had already cancelled cruise control and had slowed down. Within moments, a black car heading in the opposite direction, hydroplaned, spinning out of control and rolling intobthe ditch that divides the highway. Fortunately it’s speed wasn’t sufficient to cross over into our lane and cause a head on collision.

We immediately pulled over, Susan called 911, while I ran back to render assistance. The single occupant was slumped over in his seat, minor lacerations to the side of his head from his broken window. He was gradually regaining consciousness. He had a roll of paper towel in his car. I used that to put pressure on the lacerations and stop the bleeding. The inside of his car was a mess, broken glass, mud, plant material, and his personal belongings strewn about.

His door was caved in from the rocks in the ditch. I forced it open, the twisted hinges screaming in protest. Seeing a single occupant, still wearing his seatbelt, I asked if there were any other passenger or pets in the vehicle with him. I was worried people could have been ejected in the roll over. He was alone.

I stayed with him while he was in his seat until I smelt strong radiator fluids, hot oil, and gasoline – it was time to get away from the car. I checked if he had a neck injury, then helped him out of the car.

One other person had stopped by this time. I gave them the thumbs up. The rain was coming down in sheets, fortunately it was warm. He pulled on a plastic poncho from his trunk, and I helped him to our trailer. He sat down in our dinette out of the rain until professional help arrived. Fortunately, the bleeding had stopped. He was in severe shock.

Within minutes we could see the fire department approaching from both directions, then the ambulance, then the police, then the tow trucks. Susans call was successful despite language barriers.

Fortunately, the fire department and ambulance parked behind us with lights flashing, safely diverting traffic around us.

We stayed outside, taking shelter behind the trailer from the driving rain. We must have had six people in the trailer, with their wet bulky gear and muddy boots. The trailer was a soggy mess.

The gentleman was taken away in a stretcher by ambulance. A policeman came over, and thanked us for stopping to help.

We climbed out of our soaking wet clothes, dried off, got dressed in dry clothes, then returned to the truck. It was time to get moving.

After a short drive, the adrenaline subsiding, we left the highway and headed to a small town of Auclair. We were going to spend a night camping with our second Harvest Host – Domaine Acer

We drove through the small town, then down a steep muddy road into a valley. We were pleasantly surprised. The collection of rustic wooden buildings looked promising. We stopped, introduced ourselves, and were shown to our site by Margot.

After parking, setting up, and having a snack, we headed into Domaine Acer for a tour of the facilities and products, presented in English for our benefit by Margot.

Lovely wooden structure, built on a huge concrete foundation that serves as a cellar
Susan admiring the flower gardens
Golden hues and the residual warmth from a wood stove

We were thoroughly impressed by the size of the operation. They tap into 20,000 Sugar Maple Trees, and in peak flow, fill a 10,000 litre tank in 45 minutes. That’s a lot of sap going into their holding tanks inside and outside the sugar shack.

Sugar Shack
External holding tank

The sap is pumped through a bank of reverse osmosis filters to remove excess water. The sap is then heated in a large evaporator, until it reaches a concentration of 66% sugar.

Colour changes throughout the season, from light in the early spring, to dark in the late season. This is due to an increase of antioxidants and other minerals.

Using some of the maple syrup, they produce a range of alcoholic beverages, that taste as divine as liquid sunshine. We bought some dark maple syrup, some candies, and a bottle of Val Ambré. Margot, you were an awesome tour guide, accommodating us in English – thank you.

We returned to the trailer with an appreciation for real Quebec Maple Syrup. After a shower, we retired for the night, lulled to sleep by the steady rain.

"La Pocatière to Auclair, Quebec" - By Russel Robertson - - Comments Off on La Pocatière to Auclair, Quebec Comments