Quebec Colors

The first T off box on a wee 9 hole course we golfed just outside Montreal.  And it got prettier and prettier.  SS was too distracted by the beauty of the trees and golfed a terrible game - at least she is blaming it on that!  Yes SS was in the trees off to the right and on more holes than this one too!

Another colorful hole.  Barry golfed really well - obviously not distracted by the trees!

This course was different from any we'd experienced.  No one had a T time - you just pay your green fee and then line up and wait your turn.  We were paired with a delightful couple who spoke way more English than we speak French.  We had fun!

We journeyed over to the Ottawa area, but had to take a drive here up in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec.  We were advised to take this drive before the weather changed - and glad we did as the next and following days were rainy and windy!

More Gatineau

And More!

Hiking trail up the escarpment of King Mountain in the Gatineau Hills

The Forrest floor

We made it to the top of the escarpment of King Mountain and the view of the Ottawa Valley (200 ft. below) was worth it

King Mt. trail

More beauty in the Gatineau's

The fall colors in the East are truly spectacular - and pictures really do not do them justice.  However we will share a few. 

Montreal

We are parked near this rig ($$$) - and some of you may have been privy to Barry's daydreaming about owning a freight liner - NO Barry - you can't have one of these!

The triple axle 5th wheel that the freight liner pulls ($$$$) - you can't have one of these either Barry!

1814 BMO in Vieux Montreal - still in operation today - very austere and old world inside!

Notre Dame Basilica in Vieux Montreal - built in 1824 this is amidst one of the most impressive landmarks in the world according to the tourist literature!  Our guide stated that 80% of Quebec is Roman Catholic - but only 5% faithfully attend or support the church!  This statistic shocked us.  He stated that the average age of priests is around 76 and if you count retired priests it is 82!  Our guide in Old Que. City also alluded to this fact.  Met a fellow born and raised here (now living in AB) who said it is true - the silent revolution (rebellion) against the Church he said - he also said that many of the interiors of these elaborate churches - that are 200+ years old - have been are preserved yes, but have been converted to condo units - so people are living in them!  The same is happening in PEI too - all the little white churches dotting the landscaped are being converted to alternate uses!!  Wow!

Place D'Arms - Vieux Montreal - The Old City was founded in 1642

Olympic Village

Olympic Stadium - 1976 Summer Olympic Games - an architectural masterpiece - the tallest inclined tower in the world at 574 ft.

St. Joseph's Oratory - it's founder Father Andre (Canonized in 2010) performed many healing miracles in the early 1900's - apparently there is a wall with many crutches, canes, walkers and other aids etc.

View of Montreal from Mont Royal - note Olympic Stadium in the background and the St. Lawrence River

Another view from Mont Royal - an 800 acre park - the lands of which were expropriated from 17 families over a 100 years ago in order to build this public park - the designer who also designed Central Park in New York City.

The weather was quite unsettled while we were in the Quebec City area - the fringe effects of more tropical storms working their way up into the Maritimes we think - glad we left the area when we did.  Decided to move on to the Montreal area.  Had planned on going into the Eastern Townships, but RV Parks in outlying areas are closing for the season now.  Those around major centers are still open and we found a lovely RV Park just 20 minutes out of Montreal at St. Mathieu de Boleil.  Will stay here over the Thanksgiving weekend - don't need to be driving and pulling our rig in long weekend traffic!  We took a guided bus tour of Montreal - a break from driving for Barry (he has driven over 15,000 km to date).   Our guide was very good - apparently tour guides in Que. have to be certified and licensed!  Not a bad idea!  The population of the greater Montreal area is 3M - 55% of whom are French, 25% English, and 20% other - it is a very multicultural city.  Our bus tour has given us a good overview of the area - so now we can do some things on our own. Just may do a day trip (without the trailer) into the Eastern Townships.  The leaves are just starting to turn!

Montmorency Falls

The Shaw's in front of Montmorency Falls

A view of the stairs from the Cable Car - yes we wimped out and took the cable car up - but we did climb a few stairs later to get up to the foot bridge over the falls (not a suspension foot bridge thank goodness!).

View of Montmorency Falls from the cable car

View of the bridge over to Ile d'Orleans - we took a drive over there afterwards

A lower lookout - looking up at the foot bridge over the falls

Looks pretty calm before the plunge down!

View from the summit above the falls - looking out to the St. Lawrence River and Ile d'Orleans

Hiking down the stairs - Sandra's knees were screaming - glad we didn't try the ascent!

Ile d'Orleans - drive around the island which is 27 km long and about 4 km (no more I don't think if that) wide.  Very peaceful and rural!

We weren't pulling our trailer this day!

Charming island drive

Church right on the banks of the St. Lawrence on the Island. 

Before leaving the Old Que. City area we had to take a drive out to Montmorency Falls which at 272 ft. are almost 100 ft. higher than Niagara Falls!  We did see some sun for awhile today, but the wind was cold - feels like fall.  Again - the pictures tell the story.  After the falls we enjoyed a drive around  the Ile d'Orleans.  After the island we managed to find the Market in Vieux Que.-  below the old city.  What an awesome market - but we had to hurry and get out of there as we didn't want to get caught up in rush hour on Rue Champlain with Big Blue!  We made it!

Quebec City

En route from NB we traveled along Hwy 132 on the South shore of the St. Lawrence for awhile before cutting over to Hwy 20 (the divided 4 lane) - through charming little villages!

Front steps and walkways fronted right onto Hwy 132 - a person could step right onto the highway from a front step!

Farming establishments also fronted onto Hwy 132

More Hwy Frontage

Elaborate churches in every wee village and community

Long and narrow land plots fronting onto  the St. Lawrence River

A view of the Hotel Frontenac in Old Que. City from the Levis Ferry - our RV Park was near Levis so we parked the truck and went on foot on the Ferry

Funiculaire (Elevator) from Place Royale to the walled upper city - Old Que. City - we braved the stairs instead!

A view of Place Royal and the Queen Mary 2 in Old Que.City Port - taken from Terrasse Dufferin - A 300 ft. elevation difference!  Levis, where we were parked with our RV is across the river - 1/2 mile wide at this point.  Quebec is a First Nations word meaning narrowing of the river - a strategic spot for defense purposes and monitoring the river traffic in the 17th and 18th century!

Monument to Wolfe and Montcalm - an unusual monument commemorating both victor and victim (Wolfe's name is on the other side).  Our guide spoke of the 3 periods in Quebec (just like hockey he said) - The French period (1608 - 1759), the British period (1759 - 1867), the Canadian period (1867 to present day).

Horse Carriages in Old Que City trotting alongside big tour buses and other vehicular traffic - a busy place!

Barry strolling along in Place Royal - Old Que. City

Where we had a lovely lunch in Old Que. City on Place Royale

Renovated homes in Place Royale - back in the 1600's this was a rougher part of the neighborhood - not any more!

Awesome 3 D Mural in Place Royal of Old Que  City

St. Louis Gate in Old Que. City

Ramparts - Old Que. City

Frontenac - the copper roof is being renovated to the tune of 8M$

Queen Mary 2 at anchor at the Old Que City Port - tropical storms are raging and moving up the Eastern seaboard - so we think perhaps the Queen Mary is sitting out the storm here - safe anchor!  She was anchored here for more than a day or two - Merchants in Old Que. City must have loved it!

After leaving the Maritimes we encountered brash weather - overcast, wind and rain - so we sat out the system for awhile then decided to head out and tour regardless. The pictures tell the story!