Relaxing and marveling in the heart of nature is a remedy that allows one to detach from the daily grind, leave stress behind for the duration of a stay, and return recharged!
Space Galore: Just 214 KM Away
With our hectic daily lives and the performance stress imposed by today's society, we must find ways to completely disconnect from this daily routine which, let's face it, lacks space!
No time to relax, no time for sports, no time to cook, no time for... we'll stop here, because the list is long.
So, imagine a place where you can live in communion with wild nature, finally turn off your cell phone, breathe in the intoxicating scents of nature, move in an endless space that evolves wonderfully to the rhythm of your steps, and all this while staying in a comfortable, warm, and welcoming place! That's exactly what Motel Énergie offers, located precisely 214 KM from the city of Baie-Comeau, on the North Shore.
A must-stop for motorcyclists traveling on Route 389 or embarking on Expedition 51, Motel Énergie is the perfect place for a comforting stopover. There are two types of accommodations to meet the various needs of guests. At the motel, people can stay in a standard room or a VIP room.
The youth hostel is a pavilion with 21 double rooms where some common areas are shared such as bathrooms, kitchen, lounge, and the magnificent fireplace. Custom family packages are offered for those who want to fully experience it: hiking, kayaking (in collaboration with Mer Éveil 418-297-6703, info@mereveil.com), a day at the outfitter, visiting the Manic 5 dam, everything can be combined to create a tailor-made experience! All you need to bring is your food, your smile, and the adventure begins!
Motel Énergie is identified as a strategic stop when taking Route 389, either to visit Manic 5 or to continue on to Fermont. It also features a gas station, a restaurant, a convenience store, a public telephone, and a souvenir shop where a collection of playful and quirky t-shirts hides.
The force of nature, both literally and figuratively
What could be better than a fundraising activity in the midst of the wild nature, allowing participants to experience a moment of symbiosis with nature and connect together!? This is what Centraide Manicouagan Haute-Côte-Nord has been offering for the past 3 years to a handful of nature-loving philanthropists seeking challenges! Discovering the Groulx Mountains is 3 days of rejuvenation and self-transcendence with an amazing group for a good cause.
"Before experiencing this adventure, I must admit I was rather apprehensive; I didn't know what to expect since I'm not an athlete. But the cause and the challenge spoke to me so much that I had to do it. The adventure begins as soon as you take Route 389. Winding, but filled with majestic landscapes, you quickly feel transported. 214 KM later, we finally arrive at the youth hostel, and it's amazing how at home you feel as soon as you arrive. People are so happy to see us, so warm and welcoming. I must admit that just that made me feel secure, and I was able to quickly appreciate everything that lay ahead of us. We step inside the hostel, and we discover a place that inspires comfort and togetherness... it's like living in the woods, with a touch of luxury where we enjoy the great fireplace to warm up the atmosphere and people's hearts. And what about the food, we were truly treated like kings.
Day 1, the challenge: climbing the Groulx Mountains. Words are not strong enough to describe the moment of ecstasy and pride when we reach the top, it's magnificent! Looking down, we see the path we've taken, and a feeling of accomplishment instantly overwhelms us. It's a bit unreal because as we ascend to the summit, under the beautiful August sun, we're in T-shirts, it's summer, but we're knee-deep in snow!
Day 2, kayaking on the Manicouagan Reservoir. You just have no idea... how small you can feel at the foot of the Manic 5 dam! For someone who is afraid of water, I can confirm that I was so amazed by the immensity of the scene that I forgot my fear and enjoyed the moment to the fullest to soak up this feeling of well-being, which, by the way, stayed with me for weeks after the adventure.
The day ends with an excellent meal around the fire. The group, energized, shares anecdotes from the day while celebrating the many personal successes achieved over the past 2 days. It's beautiful to see how humans quickly form bonds in moments when they need support. For an organization like Centraide, it brings us together with our mission, it's just perfect!
And that's also where one understands the origin of the expression: force of nature. I experienced it, quite literally for the entire influence of wild nature on the sense of well-being with which I left. And figuratively for the personal fulfillment that this experience allowed me to live. I can only imagine the chemistry that this kind of team building activity can bring to colleagues in a company!"
Josée Mailloux, Executive Director of Centraide Manicouagan Haute-Côte-Nord.