Nature Group Outing – Fort Coulonge and Luskville Falls

The Nature Group magnificent nine undaunted by dire weather forecasts of rain on
Saturday proceeded optimistically to drive to Fort Coulonge for a day of nature
photography. Jayni Bloch our fearless leader did her song and dance and we had a few
showers while driving but never one drop during the time we were shooting at Coulonge
Falls and Luskville. Now that is what I call having some clout with the weather man. Just
goes to show that you can’t believe everything you see on TV and the internet when it
comes to weather. The only water we encountered at the falls was when the wind blew
the mist from the falls our way when we were on observation platform # 10 facing the
falls. Now when we went for our traditional lunch together to “La Ferme Livamia:, on
61Chemin du lac de la Truite we were somewhat taken aback when she stopped at a
farm house that had not seen paint for the last 50 years and had a number of ponies
and horses in the side and backyard. She quickly corrected and proceeded some 100
meter down the road and turned into a large property with a great new building larger
than the barn in the first stop she made. We were greeted graciously by a young woman
who introduced herself as the owner and chef of the establishment. She was dressed in
a black jacket typical of a chef and welcomed us to a large table set for our group.
Everyone was amazed to find a table d’hote which was delightfully tasty and
imaginative. We had an “amuse gueule” of whole wheat crackers with cheese and
olives, followed by a fresh garden salad accompanied by a crouton of bread covered
with red deer meat with onions and mushrooms and chutney and melted cheese. As a
main course we had “cipaille” followed by fresh fruit and a house maple dip as a desert.
We accompanied this wonderful culinary experience with a bottle of the house red wine
and great conversation about a variety of subjects which flowed effortlessly form the
persons at the table. The cost per person was a paltry $18.00 per person plus the wine.
The more diligent members who proceeded to Lusk Falls on the way home were
rewarded with images of some of the early wild flowers that are found in the micro
environment of the Eardly escarpment.
From left to right;
Keith Shewbridge, Susan Gardiner, Elaine Hum-Sim, Sam Lewinshtein, Jack Starkings,
Pierre Gauthier, Jayni Bloch, Andrea Schlecht, David Burt