Day 9 - St-Michel/Quebec City - Wed, June 26

Woke up to a very windy cold (8 - 10 degrees) and cloudy day. 

Their cottage yard...

 From their yard... St. Lawrence Seaway

 Lots of wind... and high tide!

Visited with Marie and Samuel (who is almost 3) in our trailer and then Marcel (her dad) brought in bébé Amaya to join us. She is an absolute sweetheart with a full head of dark brown hair, beautiful dark brown eyes and the cutest smiles ever - which is amazing for a 2 1/2  month old baby. She was perfectly content in his arms. He has the magic touch for sure!! 

When Diane (Marie's mother) joined us, we decided to go in the cottage to finish our coffee as it was getting a little crowded in the trailer.

Dad, Mom, Samuel and Marie

As today was not going to be a beach day, we decided to visit historic Quebec City, starting with a ferry ride followed by lunch at the "Cochon Dingue". 

Near the ferry crossing in Levy, south side of the Seaway, 

across from Quebec City

 On the ferry, looking at Vieux Quebec

 Cochon Dingue Restaurant, Quebec City

Marcel had given us a copy of the tour he had prepared for Marie and Gil's wedding guests a few years ago, so we were able to have quite a history lesson as we toured around. "Le vieux Quebec" is fascinating and some of the buildings date back to the early 1600's, to the days of Samuel de Champlain and the first European settlers in Canada. The narrow cobblestone streets and stone buildings make you feel you are in Europe! The oldest church in Canada is there, in Place Royal. 

Church at Place Royal... where Canada was born!

The circle marks the site of the first 

white Canadian settlers.

The shops are bountiful and unique selling everything from furs, designer clothes made in Quebec, home made chocolates, lots of fine art to soaps made from bear fat.    

The luxury Hotel Frontenac is there as well as the Plains of Abraham where the battle between Britain and France was fought for control over our country.

Chateau Frontenac on the right...

 Exciting times in the lobby of Hotel Frontenac...

After a few hours touring, a veritable downpour happened, soaking us due to the strong winds, even though we had brought umbrellas!

We returned back to St-Michel to a wonderful gourmet supper of moose steak, (thanks to Marcel's hunting skills!), salad, veggies and 2 desserts - fresh strawberry shortcake with whipping cream and maple syrup, and carob banana brownie. Thank you Marcel, Diane and Marie for your gracious hospitality!! It was fun to spend a bit of time with you at your cottage. We even got to learn about maple syrup production... so interesting - A memorable day indeed! 

Ps:  I think Samuel made a new friend in Robert, who had him literally walking on the ceiling!

Day 8 - Sandbanks to St-Michel de Bellechasse - Tues, June 25

Left the park before 8:00. Wish we could have stayed a lot longer. We will definitely be back one day! We love Prince Edward County! 

Took the short Glenora ferry crossing on our way to Kingston, following the Loyalist Parkway route.

On the Glenora Ferry

 Prince Edward County from the ferry

 On the Loyalist Parkway...

Trivia alert: The Loyalists - Following the American Revolution of 1776, individuals who had supported Britain or had wished to remain neutral on religious and ethical grounds were persecuted, deprived of property and often their lives. Survivors fled to areas of British protection around the globe. Those who had fought with the British joined the exodus. The first legal British settlement in Canada other than military establishments took place in western Quebec and what is now eastern Ontario. The settlers were made up of soldiers from volunteer regiments , European mercenaries and civilians. Many were from lower New York State and the Mohawk Valley and included many Mohawk Indians. They suffered terribly from cold, starvation and disease but persevered to become major participants in the formation of Ontario and ultimately Canada. The Loyalist Parkway is a commemoration of their loyalty and determination.

Kingston is the birthplace of Sir John A MacDonald, father of confederation and our first  Prime-minister. (He was a lawyer and his first job was in Picton, very close to Sandbanks in Prince Edward County...)

Kingston is a very old historic town with beautiful stone buildings on the waterfront. The maximum security prison is here as well as a naval and armed forces base.

We stopped for coffee at the socialist Coffeehouse in the township of Gananoque to get some Internet time. 

Loyalist Cafe

Cool cafe with a bar made of old books and an adjoining room with walls papered with book pages. The bathroom counter was a slab of wood. Loved all the decor!

After Kingston, we followed the Thousand Island Parkway, which reminded us a bit of Lake of the Woods, except that the vegetation surrounding the pre-Cambrian shield rock was more varied. 

Entrance to the 1000 Islands Parkway

We could see many of the islands as we were cruising along, many of them with very elaborate cottages! More trivia... To qualify as an island, the land be above water 365 days a year and contain at least 2 trees...

We then had to get back onto the big busy four lane Highway 401! 

As we got off to gas up a bit later, Robert discovered that we could continue on another smaller scenic highway, much like the 1000 Island Highway that we had just been on! Perfect! Slower, but much more interesting! So, we stayed on the Heritage highway up to Cornwall, then got back on the big 401 highway bound for Montreal. Once on the 401, the scenery was flatter and more boring. It is lined with industries and the towns you pass are not very visible. We much prefer the smaller out of way routes, but had no choice. We took the Montreal bypass route and headed for St-Michel de Bellechasse, just past Quebec City. 

St-Michel is where Marie Perron's (Gil Desaulniers's wife) parents have a cottage on Fleuve St. Laurent. We arrived just after sunset, just as a strong winds and heavy rains were starting. We parked our trailer in their yard, introductions, then a quick visit, then everyone to bed. 

Day 7 - Prince Edward County - Monday, June 24

Started day off right by bringing our camp chairs to Outlet beach and having our coffee there.  

 Have to climb over sandbank to get to beach...

The workout before the coffee!

From top of sandbank... workout is complete!

We were invited to breakfast at Jon's uncle Dennis and Aunt Gail's lovely farm. 

This is the family farm that belonged to Jon's grandparents and where his mom Sheila, aunt Joyce, aunt Diane and uncle Dennis grew up. Eventually, Dennis bought the property and still farms it to this day. They live in the original home, which has been beautifully renovated over the years.

We were treated to a delicious homemade Eggs Benedict (with asparagus fresh from their garden), rhubarb muffins and coffee, which we ate outside on one of the decks under a flowering tree. 

 Uncle Dennis and Aunt Gail... 

Awesome breakfast that she cooked for us!

 Uncle Dennis hard at work...

 Uncle Dennis still hard at work... Wow!

Such a hard worker! And he says he's retired!

A very small part of their land!

The property and home look like something out of a magazine. The landscaping has been lovingly nurtured over the decades with a variety of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and rocks arranged in several areas around the home, porches, and yard, with creeping vines even flowering up some of the buildings. Everywhere we looked, there was something pretty and unique to catch our attention. His parents named the farm Bonnie Brae which Dennis explained means pretty knoll (hill) in Scottish. 

 Dennis's bike... And he didn't even want to ride with us!

Dennis and Gail then gave us a grand tour of their various acreages where their different crops grow. Presently they grow oats for seed, soft red white winter wheat for seed and soybeans, though it was originally a large tomato farm producing tomatoes for a local cannery. They would harvest 24 tons of tomatoes per day in three 8 ton wagons!!

One of their many soybean fields!

 Seed oat crop

 Soft Red Winter Wheat

 Their latest crop of solar panels is doing well!

Soybeans

After the tour and a stop for some fresh local strawberries, we returned to their home and consulted maps and got directions to follow the Loyalist Parkway to the Thousand Island Parkway through Kingston.  

 Strawberries at Mary's stand...

 "A Country Apple", painting by Jon's mom

 and given to Dennis and Gail

Uncle Dennis...

We said our goodbyes then left to go to Picton to see Jon's father who is in a retirement home. Aberhart recognized us right away and we chatted for a while, then had a staff member take a picture of the 3 of us so that Yannick and Luka would have a picture of their 3 grandparents together. 

We called Jon from his room. After a bit more conversation, he was ready for a nap, but before we left he spoke of his wife Sheila (who passed away a few years ago). This was when he really lit up and his voice grew stronger- Ahhh- the power of love! 
 
We then took our leave after expressing our love to him from us and his family in Fernie.

Heritage home in Picton area that had once 

been "updated" with stucco... 

It was now late afternoon.  We were off to West Point beach to meet Tanya, Kelly and little Elsa.  

 Suzie, Elsa, Tanya and Kelly at Westpoint Beach...

 Jon's sister, Tanya with husband Kelly and little Elsa

Westpoint, one of Jon and Kelly's surfing spots!

Sat on the beach, enjoyed the sun and sound of waves lapping, swam and then all went out to dinner at Isaiah Tubb's Resort, where we dined on the patio overlooking the lake. Elsa had by now warmed up to us. She reminds us a bit of Yannick. You can see some cousin type resemblance... Of course Robert adjusted everyone before we left for our campsite.  

Great day!