Annual Super Tour
Quebec City
Canada
July 26-August 3, 2008

Story by Doug Linden
Photos by Wayne Champagne / Jo Johnson / Bruce Marshall

The 2008 Super Tour itinerary called for us to travel to Quebec City with stops in Maine and New Hampshire. And what better way to start than with bright skies which sure was a good sign of things to come.

Dick & Barbara O’Brien gathered the initial group of tourers at the Grange. This included Ed & Pat Quirk, Doug & Nan Linden, Jack & Jo Stokinger/Johnson and the team of Dick Stitt & Wayne Champagne. Nan passed out Road Trip Snack Packs to each “A” as we hit the road. We picked up Gene & Barbara Tallone and Harold & Robyn Samuels along the way.

Our destination was to the seaside home of Dave & Leslie Robbins for a relaxing cookout. It was there that Bruce & Cookie Marshall/Smith joined in as super tourers. Dave & Leslie’s yard looked great full of Model A’s and along with the great food it was a perfect stopover. After a walk on the beach we thanked Dave and Leslie for having us for lunch and continued our journey north.

Our route took us inland and eventually along the shores of Sebago and Long lakes which made for a scenic ride. Our first roadside seminar came when Bruce encountered a flat tire on Thelma (1930 Coupe) and had to stop. The “pit crew” went into action and we had it changed in no time. Alas, Bruce received the first Rubber Chicken for having a breakdown. Back on the road we just soaked in the Maine scenery. We arrived at our first night’s stop at the Mollyockett Motel. Lets just say that websites can really make something look real good. The good thing is we were there only one night.

After a surprisingly good breakfast at the “General Store” we set out for Moosehead Lake. Our route took us through more of Maine’s woods, over the Kennebec River in Skowhegan, where we stopped for an Ice Cream. We stopped at Abbott Village where we enjoyed the local village day celebration and then continued Greenville, ME. As we traveled we noticed the signs warning of Moose Accidents...needless to say we kept our eyes open for any such sighting. The view of Moosehead lake as we arrived in Greenville was spectacular and more exciting, our hotel, the Chalet Moosehead was very nice. After some cocktails, we had dinner at Kelly’s Landing restaurant which was also very nice. We even got advice as to where to go Moose watching. The local highway department (DOT) location was the most reliable spot to visit, which we did. We weren’t disappointed as one moose wandered in after we arrived. It was the first of many we would see.

After breakfast we did some shopping in beautiful downtown Greenville. We set off in two groups about 15 minutes apart which helped keep us from blocking too much traffic. The road north provided some great views of Moosehead Lake. In Jackman we topped off our gas tanks before crossing the US/Canadian boarder. We did catch up with group 1 at a lunch stop where we did our best to conquer the language barrier.

We continued in two groups towards Quebec City. Group 2 was traveling along enjoying the countryside and passing through St. Georges when Jack radioed that his sedan came to a halt. We did some investigation and determined that it was overdrive related and there was nothing we could do to fix it. AAA provided a tow truck and we waved good-by to Jack and Jo as they headed back south to the US. The Lindens and Tallones continued on to our Quebec City hotel. We arrived in time for “happ”A” hour” and then helped celebrate Bruce’s birthday at dinner that evening.

In the morning our plans called for us to drive to the basilica of St. Anne de Beaupre, visit the Isle d’Orleans and the Montmorency Falls. The drive through the city showcased its European atmosphere. We toured the basilica, then headed over to Isle d’Orleans. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then toured to the Chocolate & Ice Cream shop. The island was very quaint, much like Martha’s Vineyard. Returning to the mainland we stopped at the impressive falls and took the tram to the top of the falls and the Hotel. To return to the hotel we traveled by the Old Quebec section where we were as much an attraction as the city as tourist took lots of pictures of the cars. We enjoyed some “refreshments” back at the hotel pool before we headed out in smaller groups for dinner.

Wednesday started with breakfast, which was interrupted by a huge surprise when Jack & Jo walked in. After going home and returning with the trailer to pick up the Sedan, they decided to leave the Model A at the Rangeley Inn and to continue north to rejoin the group. Their custom made shirts were a big hit! We took the bus back downtown and explored the Old City. This was the 400th anniversary of Quebec City with all types of special celebrations and activities underway. Of course our group was determined to help the local economy. I don’t think there was shop the ladies didn’t visit, including the ones in the exclusive Hotel Frontenac. We had a great day.

We woke up to rain in the morning, but by the time we had breakfast it had stopped which was helpful while packing up the A’s. Our destination was Rangeley, Maine and our route would be over secondary roads, which made the trip very pleasant. We crossed the border at Coburn Gore which we were told would be a scenic route to Rangeley and it was. We even had a moose sighting on the way to the Inn. Thankfully the rain held off until we were checked in. Dinner that night was in the Rangeley Inn Pub, with ice cream for dessert at the Pine Tree Frosty down the street.

We had a great breakfast at the BMC Diner where the food was great. After a little exploring of the stores in Rangeley we hit the road for Conway, NH. Jack & Jo brought up the rear with the A on the trailer. We made an interesting rest stop at L.L. Cote, a major outdoor store in Errol, NH. We managed to buy some needed outdoor supplies, while Cookie and Bruce went to visit some of her relatives living in the area. Later, while traveling along, all of a sudden we came across two moose standing by the roadside, what a sight. We continued traveling south and stopped for lunch at the Northland Dairy Bar which Cookie remembered as being a great place. It turned out to be a great stop for lunch.

The roads to Conway were very scenic, with White Mountains all around. It was great. Unfortunately, the hotel for the wasn’t. Another place, with a website better than the establishment. Fortunately the water system was broken so we used that as a way to cancel our rooms. A few phone calls later and we were registered in the very nice Red Jacket Fox Ridge Resort. It was a chore, but we were all resettled and got together for our last night on the road. It was a special time to enjoy each others company. We spent so much time partying that most of us went with out eating, so I trip to the local Ice Cream shop was in order.

Saturday morning we packed up the A’s after a nice breakfast buffet at the hotel. We plotted a course for home. Bruce & Cookie and Dick & Wayne left early to make a straight run home. The rest of us meandered along and eventually said our good byes to Ed & Pat at a rest break in Barnstead, NH. An interesting note here, we saw lots of damage as a result of the tornado that passed through this area a few weeks ago, what a mess.

We made a brief stop for lunch and then continued home. We, however, were noticing ominous skies and by the time we got to Westford it turned very bad, with heavy rain and thunder. I’m happy to report that we all made it home safely.

The trip covered a little over 1000 miles and other than the one major mishap the A’s performed great for being 80 years old, even though the new Rubber Chicken got passed around a few times.

It’s not too early to start exploring about where we should head next year, so put on your thinking caps and come up with some great ideas.