Visiting Quebec City

We spent the day in Quebec City and took a two hour bus tour that was a great way to get a quick overview of the city and some of its history.

The famous Chateau Frontenac.











St. John's Gate which was a gate in the wall that surrounded the city.













The shipping lane in the St. Lawrence River.













Just a touch of the Lower Town, a quaint European feel to Quebec.


This was so fun we're coming back tomorrow!!

We're in Quebec--Happy Birthday, Francine!!

We started the first morning in Quebec with a Happy Birthday pancake breakfast to celebrate Francine's birthday. We just knew it would be a great day!!!














Our first stop was to visit the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre and to tour the exquisite Bascilica reconstructed in 1923 after a fire destroyed the first one.

Mass was being conducted in the huge main cathedral on the upper floor and we were amazed to find a huge second cathedral on the lower floor as well.






The basilica is filled with a multitude of magnificent paintings, mosaics, stained-glass windows, and wooden and stone sculptures.










We continued our drive and stopped to see Montmorency Falls where we took a tram to the top of the falls and walked across a bridge above the water. It's huge, and loud, and beautiful, and amazing!










After a trip over the skinny bridge across the St. Lawrence River we arrived on the 24 mile long island of Ile d'Orleans to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the farming community of the island. We stopped to visit a maritime museum, bought some very tasty cassis vinegars, tried some local cheese and pine tree beer (wouldn't buy a six pack though), and found some great tasting smoked fishes.




We ended our day by celebrating Francine's birthday at the restaurant Cochon Dingue whose specialty is mussels two ways. Delightful!!!

It's not hard to eat two pounds of mussels.

A visit with Jacques and Lyse

We spent a couple of days at the campground where friends Jacques and Lyse (another couple from Palm Garden in Florida) stay during the summer. Eating a typical Quebequois meal which included moose and a tasty dessert they called Unemployed Pudding made with real maple syrup was a treat.


Jacques is a hunter and a fisherman and our second days' meal was salmon a la orange. Mitch made wild rice to accompany that.

On to Sorel-Tracy

We arrived in Sorel-Tracy to visit friends from our winter RV Park in Florida. We parked the coach in Jasmin and Suzanne's driveway and Francine and Gilles parked their fifth wheel in front of Michel and Louise's house just down the street.

Then off we went to visit Jacques and Mimi who live just off the St. Lawrence River. We had a nice walk along the river and a glass of wine on their deck.



Back at Jasmin's house the party was about to begin. Invited were Palm Garden friends from around the area and we had a great time eating, drinking, and reconnecting with some good conversation in half English-half French.

From the left clockwise is Jasmin, Louise, me, Mitch, Michel, and Suzanne.







Before we left they all insisted we stay for breakfast and we started with a wonderful raspberry smoothie. Although it was considered "just a plain" breakfast we had beans, pate, and home fries with our eggs and toast. What a great way to start the day.

Still in the wine country

However, we passed up a winery to have a lovely picnic at the beach of Lac Brome and spent the afternoon lazing in the sun.










For the evening, a nice Mexican dinner outside the motorhome.

We're in Canada

We arrived in Montreal yesterday to meet Francine and Gilles at the Flying J just liked we planned so many months ago. It's hard to believe we are really here.

We drove to our campground and had dinner with Francine and Gilles' son, Pascal, and his girlfriend, Christine, and had a wonderful dinner that Gilles and Francine had prepared.

Today we toured the wine country east of Montreal. Besides tasting some cider wines, we toured this relatively small, thriving vineyard.












These grapes are from the University of Minnesota so we had a fine discussion with the wine maker and tour guide.











While we were touring the wife made us up a wonderful picnic basket of cheeses, meats, baguettes, apples, and freshly made Italian dessert. It was a beautiful day to enjoy our lunch accompanied by a nice bottle of wine.

Sun and Moon

The sunsets on the shore of Lake Superior in the UP are phenomenal. Last night's was particularly beautiful...








and when I turned to go back to the coach the full moon through the trees completed the sky look.