Rainy Return On the final day most members of the group were beginning to feel a bit sore , but were also in good spirits and eager to end the trip as strong as it began .
After a group meeting over a breakfast buffet at the same table on which we ate the night before we gathered our gear to face the day ’ s forecast – unseasonably warm with a high around 40 degrees ( Fahrenheit ) and a low of 35 with slight drizzles of rain . However , given the winding course through various hills on our route it didn ’ t so much appear as a solid rain , but instead as a mist that could be wiped easily with a glove , and at certain speeds you could arch your back to use breeze coming off of the sled ’ s windshield as a drying force .
After 50 miles on Trail 23 headed south we made our pitstop for the day at the Relais Mont-Apica for coffee ( and of course a side of poutine for me ). The new building seemed like an ideal clubhouse for anyone who happened to be passing by ( which was more than previous stops due to its access to a main road for cars ).
During the next stretch of miles through open fields Larry blew a belt . It was an easy fix , but pieces of the belt ’ s grenaded guts had wound around the clutch and needed
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to be cut out . At this point it was only four of us – Denny , Larry , Gary and myself – so we decided that Gary and I would push ahead to inform the others of the mishap . Being fully capable of the repair , we would meet them another 10 miles ahead at a gas stop .
After completing the final stretch to L ’ Etape , we stopped to eat and fuel up at a gas station that also provided a large rectangular restaurant hall attached to the rear that offered a full menu of hot meals . It was here that I was able to purchase an organic berry syrup and locally made chocolate spread as souvenirs for my wife – with only 70 more miles remaining on the trip , I figured the glass bottles should survive the ride fine .
Of the final 26 miles , the last 10 became increasingly worn down as we worked our way back into town . This was the very stretch that only days earlier was a paradise , and so it was interesting to see the parallel in conditions after quite possibly hundreds of different sleds had their crack at them .
Upon arrival back at the hotel and returning the sleds to the rental house , Jamie had to confess to cracking a belly pan during a slight off-path dig-out that had occurred on the first night ’ s goat trail . No
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worries , though , because Max insisted the trip would still be worth every penny .
There was talk of visiting the famed Ice Hotel in Quebec City , but it ironically enough had a fire in its entryway and as a result was closed at the moment . The hotel of ice had a fire – you can ’ t make that up .
Farewells And Flight Delays The final morning ended how the trip began , with the group gathered for one last breakfast together . I planned to skip – maybe sleep in and take some extra time to pack my gear before the flight home – but I couldn ’ t resist .
Phil offered a ride to the airport in his
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truck after breakfast . Along the way we discussed vague plans for the future , and briefly touched on some of the differences in our nationalities . His final words to me were , “ Have a nice flight , and enjoy your life .” It was a small gesture of parting wisdom from “ Fix-It ” Phil , but one that gave me a smile as I approached security to unload my luggage and head home .
I would spend the next five hours being delayed on multiple flights , but I didn ’ t mind because home would be the final destination this time .
After nearly 600 trail miles over four days the trip presented a challenging ride with scenes that I will fondly remember for the rest of my life .
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