Unexpected Moments

By Mary Reiman

Travel brochures give trip highlights, but last week I found the best part of the journey to be the lesser known, unexpected glimpses capturing my attention, my admiration, my oh-my-heavens-I-can't-believe-I-am-here-moments. The scenery. The ocean. The passion of the people who shared their deep love for their beloved country.

The adventure began in Portland, Maine, famous for lighthouses, of course. But I had never known that on April 23, 1945, the U.S.Navy’s Eagle Class Sub-Chaser was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-Boat

only 9 miles off the coast of Maine. 49 U.S. servicemen were killed. It was a misty morning when we were looking out over the ocean, giving the area an ominous feel of the history that had taken place there. Yes, 9 miles from where we were standing. 

And then on to Canada:

Halifax, Nova Scotia. 121 victims of the Titanic buried in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery in 1912. The number on each headstone indicated when their body was recovered from the sea. Some were never identified. Others were never claimed. The community continues to support the upkeep of this final resting place.

Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Picturesque fishing villages with a rugged coastline. Look what I found. Boats with great names. Snails making their way across the coastal walkways. 

In the midst of Sept-Iles (Seven Islands) was a sculpture garden tucked along the edge of the park.

Over 100 pieces created by Jean-Pier Synnott, local industrial welder/artist who uses recycled metal to create a variety of creatures, all shapes and sizes and designs. Fascinating! 

Saquenay, Quebec, has three major industries. 

#1 aluminum. The bauxite is shipped from Brazil and other international locations, using the hydroelectric power plants in the area to create the aluminum (think Alcoa) that is then often shipped back to the U.S. 

#2 black spruce, for the pulp mills. The paper was often sent to the United States but the mills have been cut back due to less print newspaper production. We also visited Baie-Comeau, a community built in the 30s by the owner of the Chicago Tribune, specifically for the paper industry.  

#3 blueberries. The largest blueberries I’ve ever eaten! 

Quebec City, the walled city with such a rich history, famous for British-French battles in the 1700s.They were also prepared to defend themselves against the United States. 

No voyage to this area would be complete without viewing Montmorency Falls.

They are indeed as majestic as described in every tour book. Indeed, a must see. The view, the sound, the magnitude of the force of the water. 

And then the final chapter. 

Morrin Centre in the middle of Quebec City. There we were.

The setting of Louise Penny’s book, Bury Your Dead.  

As it should be. 

The end of the journey.