June 21 - 26 ::: Tadoussac,the Saguenay River, Rimouski

SONATA is on the outside pier, Pier #3, between the front of the Tadoussac Hotel and the front of the Marina Officer . . . where you can see how high the office is at low tide . . . a range of 12-15'.


Later in the day we are all off for a shore-side lunch and a trip to the grocery. The wind is still blowing and the ladies are glad to be off SONATA for a while.


The next day, its back on the water again, on our way up the Saguenay River.


After the rough ride, Taylor decided to take charge and guide SONATA into the calm waters . . . off to a mooring ball in Baie Eternite.


As we approach Baie Eternite you can almost hear the music, strains of Ave Maria drifting out over the water. Charlie and Taylor are searching for the 32-foot statute of the Virgin Mary that has been placed on the river's edge up some 400 feet.


And there she is. The statute was hewn out of wood then coated with lead and hoisted into its present position in 1881. During the haydays of the 1900's well-to-do holiday makers would tour the Saguenay fjord on luxury steamers and as they passed a search-light beam would be placed on the statute as Ave Marie was played softly over the steamers speakers.


SONATA eased into the Bay (Baie) past the rocky cliffs and prepared to tie up to a mooring ball; Taylor at the wheel.


With Charlie on the bow . . .


. . . and Taylor at the controls; an easy landing was made and SONATA was secure for the day.


An outstanding job accomplished well!!


As the evening grew near other boaters came into the bay to remain for the evening.


The next day, June 23rd, SONATA had to pay for the use of the mooring ball, so, Taylor took her over the the pontoon dock so Bonnie and she could take a walk into the Park and Charlie could make a donation to the "mooring-ball-box".



During the morning SONATA got "dressed" for her return to Tadoussac . . . so she could take part in the celebration planned for the evening, Quebec Festival Day. Then it was away we go.


The evening celebration brought fireworks and a band on the beach in front of the hotel that played until . . . 0500!?!



Later in the day we had a "distinguished" visitor (unknown) and his family arrive by helo . . . later to be chased away by the incoming high tide.


We all then had a most enjoyable evening with several new friends, Greg and Suzanne Brown (aboard their vessel LARSEN), . . .


. . . and Jack and Christine Vanderloo (now aboard their vessel SOUTHERN CROSS).




On Wednesday we were back at sea in search of the whales. Everyone said they saw whales . . . we had not. We finally saw one do a roll, a couple of times a good distance from SONATA, then we had the seal . . . he stayed on the surface long enough to have his picture taken. A calm foggy day.


A last opportunity for pictures of Taylor and Bonnie. Taylor, Bonnie, and Charlie off from Rimouski to Quebec City. Took three days of travel to move from Quebec City to Rimouski (with other trips included) and will take just over three hours to drive the trip. It has been wonderful having Taylor aboard! She is a joy to have around! She helps with the driving and navigation of SONATA, and does a great job; she also assists with the other various shipboard duties that need to be accomplished. When visitors are aboard she joins in the discussions, and we have been proud to have her join us.................believe she will come back for still another visit!!!! IT WILL BE GREAT!!

On Friday, June 28th, SONATA and crowd crossed the St. Lawrence from Tadoussac to Rimouski. There was a rather thick fog ending in a safe arrival. On the way we saw one more whale roll, this time much closer to SONATA. Then on Saturday, the cruise with Taylor aboard ended. Off to Quebec City and a flight for Bonnie and Taylor which will require a wake-up-time of 0245 in a Quebec City Hotel.

In Rimouski we met up with Chuck and Claria Gorgen on ODYSSEE. ODYSSEE had remained in Rimouski over the winter awaiting repairs by Chuck. Chuck was wonderful . . . he loaned us his truck so that Bonnie and Taylor could be taken from Rimouski to Quebec City to catch their flights home. We traveled in the fog to Quebec . . . by road.


Leaving Tadoussac was a foggy day. A foggy day all the way to Rimouski. Arrival in Rimouski . . . it was time to prepare to let go of Bonnie and Taylor, time to return to Virginia Beach and Knoxville. Charlie will return to SONATA in Rimouski to await Bonnie's return in a week.