Day 3-4

We rated Les Matins de Victoria as one of the two best B&B experiences we have ever had (out of 200 + and counting).  Maurice and Ginette our hosts really outdid themselves with superb hospitality and cuisine.  They had a full house including a couple from Edmonton, a couple from Lyon France with their son and 3 year old daughter and two friends meeting from Ottawa and Vermont. Breakfast was presented as a spectacular parade of 6 courses of lovingly prepared food. 

Our dream ... Custard, fruit Torte for breakfast!!

Conversation bounced back and forth between French and English with the lady from Ottawa providing translation where needed.  After the meal Terry from Vermont brought out his guitar and sang a couple of songs.  He was entertaining and really added a new dimension to a B&B.

We finally started out on the trail at 10:30 and soon realized that this was going to be a day with lots of ups and downs as we entered a much hillier terrain. 

 
Fall decorations were abundant on shops including this coffee shop in Eastman.

Our day ended with lunch and a tour around Magog, a lovely, albeit touristy town on the edge of a beautiful lake. 

 

The next two days were very special as Cathy and I connected with some friends we have had for over 40 years.  Paul and Martin were veterinary students who came to Saskatoon in the summer of 1972.  I was working with them in the W.C.V. M. clinics that summer and we became friends.  We have seen them a number of times over the years and really appreciate a great friendship and a window into Quebec from real Quebecers. 

 

Martin picked us up in Magog and drove us to his home. Paul and Valerie joined us for a superb supper prepared by Jacinthe, Martin’s partner. We regaled each other with stories from the last 40 years as laughter and tears dissolved the evening away.   It was such a delight to have Martin’s son Matthew join us at the end of the evening.  We have fond memories of a canoe trip we took with Paul and Matthew years ago in Northern Saskatchewan.

Trent, Cathy, Martin, Jacinthe,Valerie, Paul

 

The next day was full of visiting with Paul and Valerie, meeting some of their family and exploring around Coaticook.  We met Yuri and Cedric, the twin boys whom we had never met before. I really enjoyed the tour of Richard's Metal shop.  CNC lathes always amaze me with precision and speed compared to my low tech wood lathe.

Paul, Cedric and Cathy in Richard's Metal business.

Unfortunately, Heidi was in Montreal so we never had a chance to meet her on this trip.

Valerie and Paul

Fish stocked pond in Paul and Valerie's yard

Some of Paul's sheep being fed in the barn.

We had a wonderful evening as we experienced ‘Team Penning’ with Paul and his friends.  Paul has been riding horses as long as he can remember and has recently been spending more time reconnecting with his past and pursuing this sport of ‘Team Penning’.

Day 2

The day started out with full sun and a bit cool but soon warmed up as we rolled out of Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu on route to Waterloo.  

The cycling infrastructure continues to amaze and impress.  This is such an interesting area where you cycle along canals, rails to trails, city roadways with designated, separated bike lanes and the occasional road. The trails today were a mixture of pavement and hard packed crusher dust.  We were constantly bombarded with agricultural smells (both pleasant and not so pleasant), visual delights and a palate of constantly changing fall colors.

Corn fields and large barns dominated the area we cycled through today. 

Arriving in Farnham gave us a chance to buy some food supplies and rest our 25 km. butts.  We met some other cyclists who told us coffee was impossible in Farnham but if we could wait until Grandby we could get the real thing where they roast their own.  We waited for another 25 km. and it paid off.

A bike shop right on the trail rounded out our conviction that Quebec is the "Roi de cyclist"

We arrived at our B&B in Waterloo, unloaded our bags, fixed up some loose components on the bikes and had a little snooze to rest our muscles after a 75 km. ride.  Supper included some authentic heart stopping poutine and a great burger.

 

Montreal to Moncton

Day 1

What an unbelievably beautiful day.  Temperature - Perfect, Wind - at your back, Sky – Incredible clouds and pink mares tail clouds for a sunset, Sun - Just enough, Grade - Level almost all day.

So what went wrong??  Well nothing really.  We started out just fine with a great breakfast at Le Pomerol in Montreal.  Great location and high rating.  Retrieved our bikes and started out. 

Finding our route to Jacques Cartier Bridge went quite well.

Cycling/Pedestrian walkway on Jacques Cartier Bridge

A construction project necessitated some heavy hauling of bikes and panniers down stairs and up again but soon we were on our way.  Once we crossed the bridge it was difficult to find a marked cycling trail. We spent about an hour and 12 km. going in circles until we returned to the same place we started after the bridge.  With a little help from Google Maps we were soon on our way. The cycling infrastructure was most impressive.  Cathy has dreams of how Saskatoon can be changed!

 

Up and over a railway.

Here is the railway and the overpass.

The next 35 km. was an absolute delight.  The trail was well marked, solid pavement or firm crushed gravel, and nearly level as it meandered through forests, subdivisions, a small town and along a hand dug canal (built in 1830’s).  

We arrived at our Hotel in Saint Jean sur – Richelieu at 4:15, had a lovely swim in a 74 degree pool.  Supper in a Greek restaurant where you bring your own wine finished off a great start to our journey.

WEDDING CELEBRATION

WEDDING CELEBRATION

Thunder Bay was rocking over the weekend with the most wonderful wedding celebration for Sarah and Therin, attended by family and friends from across Canada and the U.S. A twenties theme seemed to galvanize people’s imagination and resulted in an amazing display of colorful and imaginative clothing choices.

Therin and Sarah’s ceremony to formally honor and commit a lifetime to each other was especially touching.  It took place in the backyard of their home in Thunder Bay with a circle created by all the guests and a backdrop of a wedding quilt created as part of our family traditions. 

The couple arrived in a wonderfully restored old car owned by a friend.   

Therin’s gun holster with the Kale/Sunflower bridal bouquet set a thoughtful tone.  

Following a reading by Kahlil Gibran, Therin spoke of their desire to have everyone present be especially mindful of our part in cementing a solid permanent relationship between her and Sarah.  To move from a symbolic concept to a hands on actualized blessing of this relationship a ribbon was circled around the group.  Beautiful rings made by a friend were threaded over the ribbon and as the rings were moved along each person grasped the rings and invoked their personal thoughts and blessings before sliding the rings onto the next person.  I cannot imagine a more meaningful way to involve everyone in a powerful community blessing.

A reception followed with wonderful Thai food from a local restaurant.  The most delicious desserts, created by Sarah’s friend were a highlight.  The dance party that followed was eye popping with action and music that seemed irresistible to everyone from 4 weeks old and up. The dance began with a surprise appearance by Dolly Parton who sang and danced with Therin on stage and many guests as well.

Home made wine with a special wax seal was also a highlight.

The next day included a wonderful hike on Mount McKay with stunning views of Thunder Bay.  Both Olive and Hamish did amazingly well to walk up and back down pretty much under their own steam.  What a beautiful part of the world overlooking Lake Superior.

Boulder, Colorado

Cathy and I had an exciting time in Boulder last week.  The rain poured down day after day and ended in exciting flooding announcements in the middle of the night while we were sleeping in our B&B.  Everything turned out fine and we were safe and dry.  Unfortunately, three people were killed in the state due the flooding.

I was able to get out a few times and take some bird pictures when the rain stopped for a few minutes.  I was lucky to get pictures of two new birds that I have never seen before.  This Western Scrub Jay posed for a few seconds and then was gone.  The Green Heron was quite wary of me as I stood very still and it sat on a branch over the water looking for food.  I had a great time watching the Great Blue Heron as it was fishing for little fish.   It caught three while I was watching.

Western Scrub Jay

Green Heron

Great Blue Heron eating a small fish.

The soft subdued lighting was quite lovely for some scenery shots as well.