This trip was going to be pretty special because we were now three people in the bus. My girlfriend Claudy was five weeks pregnant and we found out the big news a few days earlier. There was now a little shrimp growing in her belly and we were going to make one of our biggest dreams come true! Welcome a new member in our little family!
It was the most beautiful news I could hear and it felt unreal! The bus was big enough to accommodate a bambino and we were already thinking about the adventures we could live with this little human. He would have the best childhood.
Once we left Montreal, we took route 125 towards the Forêt Ouareau Regional Park. This beautiful road goes through pretty little villages like Chertsey and then climbs up in the mountains and offers incredible landscapes. While going up north, we notice the colors of the trees changing from yellow to orange and from orange to red!
Fall is surely our favorite season. The heat waves are now over and it's chilly enough in the woods to enjoy a fire. We can also comfortably wear a hoodie! After the beautiful 125, we had to take the 347 which is a pretty bumpy mountain road. Despite the many sharp turns, the slopes and its poor condition, this road offers spectacular views on the Forêt Ouareau. The last section of the trip is down a small gravel road leading to the river. The bus reached our destination without any problems and it was now time to cook something to eat. The menu was simple but delicious: pan-fried chicken breasts with good spices and orzo on the side. In the van, we try to plan simple recipes but it's hard sometimes because we enjoy cooking good meals at home. We only have a 2 burner stove, sometimes a campfire and there is no oven in the van! It is challenging and we have to find the perfect balance between simple and delicious. With this lifestyle, we also become very aware of the water and propane consumption. We try to prepare meals that require less cooking time and not too many dishes.
Our camping spot was in the shade in a pine tree forest but there was enough sun to charge the solar panels. We were located near the river and the suspension bridge which is one of the attractions. We slept very well that night despite the temperature getting colder and colder. The bus is not very insulated and the cold easily enters inside because of the several windows. We don't mind because we have everything we need to stay warm. The next day, after a tasty lunch, we went exploring the hiking trails. Some of them are very close to the camp.
The view from the bridge is incredible with mountains on every side and the long river running through the entire park. The "Sentier des Murmures" (Whispering Trail) follows the river for several miles and is perfect for a relaxing hike. You can enjoy this easy hike while watching the beautiful river.
Some of the trees were completely red and we were walking on the fallen leaves. This trail leads to a few isolated campsites that are directly on the sand on the river's edge. It was amazing to discover little golden sand beaches right in the middle of this forest! We took some time to sit on a little bench to observe the rapids.
After a few hours hiking, it was time to reward ourselves with a good dinner and a cold beer straight from the bus refrigerator. I took the time to start a campfire and get the embers ready for cooking. You have to be patient to cook on the fire but the experience is totally worth it.
Then, I grilled some burgers on the campfire while my girlfriend was preparing a nice salad in the van. We dressed warmly and ate outside by the fire. Totally delicious! It was cold enough that night to try the wood stove in the bus for the first time! There is always some firewood in the bus. Very useful! Our custom made small stove is very efficient for heating a small space. In less than an hour, the temperature was already very pleasant. It allowed us to take our first hot shower in the bus! The copper water pipes are wrapped around the stove. This allows us to have a good amount of hot water that is ready in a couple of minutes. It is not the best water heater on the market but it is a very clever setup made by the previous owners. It is quite rare to see smoke coming out of the roof of a van as modern campers are equipped with diesel and propane heaters. These are much easier to turn on! Instant water heaters are also very popular on the market but we love our wood stove because it gives more character to the bus! After the shower, we started a small slow burning log that kept us warm for most of the night.
The next morning, we started the day with a nice coffee. The first sip is very important to my girlfriend because it touches her soul and then warms her heart! It feels so peaceful to take the time to sip a cup of coffee in the middle of the forest. Then, we stuffed our bellies with a good breakfast and got our tiny home on wheels ready for the road. Before leaving, we always make sure that everything is in its place and all the cupboards are locked. If something is not well secured, we will notice it right away after the first turn or bump! And don't forget to pick up the yellow leveling blocks under the tires before leaving!
The Forêt Ouareau Regional Park is a wonderful place and is accessible all year for outdoor enthusiasts. We would be happy to come back again!
