Visit of Dee, Isaiah and Andrew - Pt 3 (Quebec City)

The drive to Quebec City took almost three hours but the boys enjoyed the views of the Quebec countryside and were excited to see their first glimpse of one of Canada's oldest cities. As it was not yet lunch time we decided to take them to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency fifteen minutes east of the city - site of the famous Montmorency Falls, named by Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City over 400 years ago! The Falls, almost a hundred feet higher than Niagara falls is a spectacular natural sight, in both summer and in winter when the spray from the water freezes into spectacular shapes. We walked from the main entrance along the boardwalk to the Falls, the welcome spray cool on our faces, then climbed up the panoramic stairway to the Redoubt at the top. From there we followed a shaded pathway through the forest to the bridge crossing over the Falls and to the cable car which returned us to the parking lot below. After lunch we met up with Phil and family at the Best Western hotel where we would be spending the next two days. The kids wanted to swim so we spent a few hours relaxing in the hotel pool before walking into the old part of the city for supper. 

Isaiah and Andrew, Montmorency Falls, Quebec

view from stairway to the top

Diane, top of Montmorency Falls, Quebec

lunch, greasy spoon

supper, Andrew and Amy, Chez Victor

Amy, Isaiah and Andrew, Marche du Vieux Port, Quebec City

Phil and family looking at their next boat

Andrew, Isaiah and Dee, old Quebec city

Phil, Andrew and Dee

The next day, Saturday, we all headed back to the old port to visit the tall ships that were in the City to help in the celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. The crowds were thick and it was hot so we decided instead to stop for some ice cream then walk along the boardwalk to the Plains of Abraham, return to the hotel for some swimming and come back later in the evening to watch the fireworks. We let the kids scramble over the old cannons lining the ramparts by the Quebec Seminary and play on the grassy slopes next to the always beautiful and impressive Chateau Frontenac. After swimming we found a restaurant (Mille et Une Pizza) where we had some absolutely delicious pizza before walking back to the port where the tall ships were moored. We stopped to watch a live show of acrobatic dancing, strolled up and down looking at the ships and waited for ten o'clock and the start of the fireworks. They were very impressive and I think when the heart shaped explosions flashed red in the sky over the St Lawrence River Amy was the most happy of all! It was late by the time we all staggered wearily back to the hotel and bed but with two days of wonderful memories to dream about. The next morning Dee and the boys were up early to catch the 0815 train to Toronto. I drove them to the VIA rail way station to say goodbye and wish them a safe voyage, more fun with Richard in Guelph and thanks for a wonderful visit. Hopefully Dee, Isaiah and Andrew ...we will meet up again soon !  gws

old cannon, Isaiah, Andrew and Amy, the ramparts, Quebec City

Marie and William

Amy and Andrew and the St Lawrence River, ramparts, Quebec City

Amy and Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City

Andrew, William, Amy and Isaiah, Chateau Frontenac, Que City

Isaiah, Amy and Andrew, swimming pool, Best Western, Quebec city

get me outta here!

celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, Quebec City!

Marie and tall ships, Quebec City

Andrew, Dee and Isaiah, fireworks

Quebec City VIA train station, July 23, 2017