Day 11: Trois-Pistoles, QC
We spent a drizzly foggy morning at Kouchibouguac National Park, an expanse of deciduous forests, marshes, and sand dunes along New Brunswick's east coast. We perused the nice interpretive displays in the visitors' centre, then walked a wooden boardwalk to Kelly's Beach, a long sandbar that parallels the shore. It's a very popular beach in the summer months, but we had it all to ourselves on this October morning.
We cut across the Gaspé Peninsula to the south shore of the St. Lawrence, where we're staying in an Airbnb in the country, not far from the Trois-Pistoles/Les Escoumins ferry.
Day 12: Quebec City, QC
This morning we took a 90-minute ferry across the St. Lawrence River from Trois-Pistoles to Les Escoumins. It was a pretty ride on a little boat; alas, we didn't spot any whales.
long way down! |
Day 13: Quebec City, QC
We parked by the Plains of Abraham this morning and set out on foot to see Old Quebec. We followed the Governors' Promenade past the Citadel and down to Dufferin Terrace, a platform by the Chateau Frontenac overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
toboggan course! |
cabane a sucre! |
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires (1723) |
Day 14: Gatineau, QC
We headed west this morning from Quebec City to Montreal for a whirlwind tour that included smoked beef at Schwartz's deli, a walk up Mont Royal, and a drive through the Old Port's cobblestone streets.
such cool street art |
napkin notes |
quite possibly the best sandwich I've ever eaten |
nice day to climb Mont Royal |
We made it into Ottawa in the late afternoon and headed across the bridge to Gatineau to spend the night.
Day 15: Kingston, ON
We spent this cloudy morning checking out downtown Ottawa. Although the wait times were unfortunately too long for us to tour Parliament or the Peace Tower, we did have a nice look around the grounds and at the National War Memorial.
We crossed the Rideau Canal, which had a couple of boats waiting in its locks. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Site, the canal was built in 1832 to connect Ottawa and Kingston, providing an alternative to the St. Lawrence River in case of a blockade. In the winter it becomes the world's largest skating rink!
We sat for a bit in Notre-Dame Cathedral (1846), a cavernous hall with beautiful green marbled pillars and a starry indigo ceiling.
Across the street, we took a look at the Maman bronze spider statue and taiga garden of the National Gallery.
We drove down Sussex Drive to see the PM's house (well, his front gate) and Rideau Hall, home and office of the Governor General. Rideau Hall is open to visitors, so we joined their 45-minute tour to see where Julie Payette spends her days.
The hall was originally the house of Thomas McKay, the stonemason who led construction of Rideau Canal in the 1800s. It was purchased by the Crown and expanded over the years to house the monarch's representative and entertain foreign dignitaries. Most formal dinners take place in the Tent Room, which was built to resemble the marquee of an English garden party (and doubled as a tennis court when not in use!).
can't say I love it |
the ballroom, less circus-y |
The grounds of Rideau Hall are essentially a huge park, open to the public. Many of the trees were planted by honoured guests over the years, and it was interesting to walk around and find ones planted by members of the Royal Family, Nelson Mandela, and John F. Kennedy, amongst others.
Day 16: Kingston, ON
We spent a nice Sunday in Kingston with my sister and her boyfriend. After breakfast we took a 20-minute ferry ride to Wolfe Island, the largest of the Thousand Islands, where 1400 people reside. We drove through the countryside, dotted with wind turbines, and took a windy walk at Big Sandy Bay.
It looks like such an awesome time! I'd love to explore Canada sometime! All the changing leaves this time of year are so pretty!
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