Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Day 36 - Cantons de l'Est to Ste-Agathe-des-Monts - Tues, July 23

It rained overnight and was a little cool, so we had our coffee in the sunroom and worked on our blog.  

Our trailer from MC & Patti's cottage...

 Working on the blog... trying to catch up!

 The resort!




 Treehouse built by Phil (Melanie's husband) (and MC? )

We left after noon to made our way to cousin Mélanie's home in Montréal. We were listening to some French music  We saw signs for St. Adèle, and it reminded Robert of the song "Le Train du Nord" by les Séguins that we used to listen to as teenagers. He called Andrée and reminisced with her as this was her "record".  She had seen them in concert in St-Boniface!


 Getting into Montreal!

 On Pont Champlain...

 Wow! We're not used to this traffic... and it wasn't even busy!


Mélanie had just come back from work. We had a fun visit and got to meet her newest baby Margot who finally woke up after a long nap. She is adorable and super smiley! Holding her made us miss our little grandchildren... Unfortunately we didn't get to meet her older daughter Charlie who is 3 years old, as she was at the babysitter's. Her husband Philippe was at work. They have recently renovated their home and it's looking great! Good job guys! So nice for us to reconnect. Last time we saw her was at Andrée and René's wedding back in 1991.  

 Robert, Melanie and Margot

During the drive going north from Montreal on secondary Highway 117, there were ski areas all over the place as we were travelling through les Laurentides! 

 Yet another ski area! There was one every few kms on a long stretch just north of Montreal!

Due to construction and traffic, it was slow going for the first section of the 117 north of Montreal (up to St-Jerome), so we decided to call it a day and stopped in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts at a campground. 

Our stop for the night... at Ste-Agathe-des-Monts

 Busy little place!

Good thing not all of our campsites have been like this!

Our site... the best we could find!

Nearby Lac des Sables, next to campground

Robert did a ride on Le P'Tit Train du Nord" bike trail, listening to the song "Le train du Nord" on his iPhone the whole way on repeat... very nostalgic for him! That was one of his favourite french songs as a teenager and brought back SO many great memories!! It is so cool for us to be driving through all of the towns that are mentioned in the song!

Click here to see a YouTube video of "Les Seguins" in 1972 performing this song... so retro!

Click here to see a video of the version that Robert downloaded on iTunes during the drive into Montreal. This is also the version that played on repeat (faintly heard without headphones) during the hour that Robert was on the "P'Tit Train du Nord" trail. So awesome!

He got caught in a thunderstorm at the peak of his ride. It was dark when he got back because he took a wrong turn in the town trying to get back to the campsite. One soggy rider!

200km plus section of Trans-Canada Trail... Le P'Tit Train du Nord! 
Old train station for "Le Train du Nord" in background


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