- June 16^th –

Everyone was so excited about the trip to the falls that we had checked in at the Lord Berri by 8:00am.  After we checked in, we had breakfast and had time to chat before leaving a little after 9:00am for our trip to the Batiscan River.  We had a 3 hour trip and it went by fast.   There was so much laughter along the way amid talk of: where the prior bus trips had been to, possible auction items that some of the ladies had made for this year, prior year auction items, the first time meetings with Roy and I know swedgies were mentioned.  Somewhere along the way, Kim’s hat became the Kodak moment for all.  Beginning in the back and working its way to the front of the bus, almost everyone had their picture taken wearing Kim’s hat. J   I am sure the bus driver was wondering about this group of people that he was driving into the Canadian wilderness.  Once we reached our destination, he was asked to join our craziness and happily posed with Kim’s hat on. J  

We arrived in Notre-Dame-de-Montauban along the Batiscan River at a large log building.  It had a red roof with the word BAR painted in white on it.  We meet Jean Jasmin, president of the group, Chute Libre (Free Fall).  Chute Libre is a conservation group that does what is necessary to protect and maintain the river, the falls and the surrounding land here.  Jean led us around to the back of the bar and onto the deck.  The view from the deck was of the falls that we had travelled so far to see, chute du cinq piastres (Five Dollar Falls).  Jean said the name of the falls came from the belief of many people that this was the falls pictured on the back of the old Canadian five dollar bill. The view was so beautiful!  Jean also pointed out at the base of the falls; some people see an image of a reclining chief in a large outcropping of rock.  Other people seem to think it resembles an aboriginal's head with a feather headdress and he is looking up towards the sky.  Jean discussed with us how Chute Libre came to be organized and the work that they have done for years to fight Hydro-Quebec and the government to save the falls.  Hydro-Quebec wanted to build a dam across the top of the falls.  This year they have been told that the project is “dead”.  Unfortunately, that does not mean that it is completely off the table, but at this time Jean and Chute Libre can breathe a little easier.  Jean also discussed the trails that they are helping to build along the river to join with the Canadian National cross-country trail system.  We would be walking a portion of the trail when we go from the Bar over to a viewing area at the falls. 

After a nice lunch, the people that were able walked the trail to the falls.  The others rode over to the falls on the bus. 

The views along the trail were spectacular.  When we arrived at the falls we were able to go out on the rocks at the top of the falls.  It was amazing to see the falls that close.  We stayed for a little while just taking in the sights and sounds.  All too soon we had to leave.  We had to get back to Montreal for a private viewing of “L'Instinct de mort” (Kill Instinct) at Technicolor Services at 7:00pm and we were running late. 

Before we got back to Montreal, the rain started and we ran into rush hour traffic, which put us even later getting back.  The bus had to drop us off at the Lord Berri and some of us took taxis to Technicolor.  Maxine had gotten Roy’s personal copy of “L’Instinct de mort” and they thought it had English subtitles.  It did have subtitles, but they were in French.  We all got a good laugh about the subtitles.  The movie was violent, but to see Roy on the big screen was a treat.   It was still raining when we left Technicolor.  We found a little Thai restaurant, enjoyed a nice meal and talked about the film and Roy’s performance. J 

– June 17^th –

We meet up at St Denis and headed to the National Theatre School of Canada.  Michel led us up to the third floor.  Maxine and Michel had been setting up a nice breakfast and laying out the auction items that we would be bidding on.  After a few minutes of perusing the auction items and getting breakfast we took our seats and Maxine began the auction.  Michel helped by carrying the items around to each table so we would be able to see what we were bidding on.  There was a mix of: pictures from various movies and TV series that Roy had done; LFN memorabilia, t-shirts, prints, books, etc.  There was so much I can’t mention all of them.  I will say that the cross-stitch bag that Sealslady made, the drawings of Roy by Marcialouise and the LFN Trivial Pursuit game by KK were amazing.  The time and love that these ladies put into creating these wonderful items are unbelievable.  The bidding went on and on. 

Then, around 12:00pm, Roy came in   He walked over to where Maxine was standing.  He was wearing his black leather coat, a white and grey t-shirt and jeans.  He was smiling and seemed so relaxed.    I can say that my heart skipped a couple of beats.  J  After he talked with Maxine for a couple of minutes he said that he was wearing his auction item.  Of course, everyone thought it might be the coat.  We were wrong.  He was wearing a bracelet that he had had for many years and that was the auction item.  After a hard won battle, KK got the bracelet.  You go girl!!!   After a few pictures with KK, Roy went to the first table and sat down at one end.  Then he got up, took his chair and moved to sit between the “Sis-tahs”.  LOL!  Roy joined each group for an hour and at each table there was a mixture of laughter and serious conversations.  When Roy came to the table that I was at, we were introduced and we started talking.  Roy has a way of making you feel comfortable and welcome when he is talking to you.  All too soon, Roy was signing our auction items and we had our photos taken with him, then he moved on to the next table.  After Roy visited the last table, we all got together for a group photo taken by Michel.  We each said “Thank you” and “Good bye” to Roy and he was gone.  We helped Maxine and Michel straighten up the room and carry items out to Michel’s car.  We said our good-byes and thanks too Maxine and Michel.  It was a wonderful two days. 

My trip to Montreal was so much more than I ever expected or could have imagined: the friendships, the fun, the laughter, the amazing energy of Montreal, the beauty of the falls and countryside and, of course, meeting Roy. 

A big “Thank you” to Maxine, Roy, Michel and everyone at Rivers Foundation for the time and effort they put in to protecting the natural beauty of the rivers and bringing us together for such a great cause.  “Thank you” to Jean and Chute Libre for working so hard so we can enjoy the beauty of chute du cinq piastres.   The rivers need all the help that the Rivers Foundation and all of the conservation groups like Chute Libre can provide.  The trip to the falls was one that I will not forget.  They were spectacular and definitely worth protecting.  I told Maxine afterward that being there at the falls was like finding a “little piece of Heaven” on earth.  J

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