Quebec in the summer, how lovely!

I was thrilled to spend a week in Quebec this summer.  Up until now, I always loved going to Quebec, it's as close to Europe as you can get w/o having to cross the ocean; and I also loved the energy of Montreal which is much larger and has a more diverse population.   The maze of bicycle trails throughout the city of Montreal made an impression upon me, so much so, that I thought I preferred this city to Quebec.  And although I've been to Quebec often, I didn't realize until this past week, that it also had many bike trails!  

I went up there with a close friend from my hometown.  I'd wanted to bring my bike, but she rides an Eliptogo which is much like an eliptical machine at the gym except it has two wheels.  I was a little anxious about using it for the first time in Quebec, but Leslie assured me that I would catch on easily....and I did!  

And so, we ended up going on 3 separate bicycle excursions, the first to the Mount Morency Waterfall,  about an 18 mile loop from Old Quebec, the second was a ride along the Saint Lawrence River riding across the old Quebec Bridge over to Levis, and on our third excursion was to the Ile Orleans!

We also did a lot of walking,  up and down stairs,  across the Plains of Abraham, up observatories in Ile Orleans and at the end of the St. Lawrence River ride as well as the Clock Tower in Montreal....oh yes, we took the train mid-week to Montreal for the day.  We visited the Urban Garden, the Clock Tower, and walked up Mount Royale which offered a spectacular view of the city!

and we go to go to the Cirque de Soleil twice!  Yes, did I tell you that they have free shows all summer long in Quebec!

Enjoy the pics.....if anyone wants more info. on where/what to do,  just ask!

Our first night in Quebec!

there are always street performers in the summer

We're ready to explore!  beautiful gardens everywhere...

this is near the Parliament Building

waslking down the Grand Alley

I love this building....if you look closer, you'll see notable Canadian historic people encased in the walls; there's a description of each person, but it's all in french (go figure!?)

these are all herbs, etc.

a vegetable garden in front of the building!

heading down to the Old City

we ate here one night....traditional Canadian fare, very very good!

We headed over to the Farmer's Market

This is the fountain in front of the train station (the building with the green roof below)

looking down into Old Quebec

This is the view as you look out from the Hilton Pool...although the pool is only on the 3rd floor, the hotel sits up on a hill and so, you get spectacular views.

this is the place I was talking about.....not typical fare for me as I lean towards vegies, but this was yummy:  traditional Quebec pork pie, wild meat meat pie, a couple of wild meat meatballs, a small tart with baked beans and maple syrup and a pig's knucke....our vegetable was  that potato!

and dessert was sugar pie for Leslie and blueberry cake on a bed of maple cream for me!  We were in heaven!

Down at the Chateau Frontenac....unique floral displays

We found a couple of little nooks!

This is the promenade deck in front of the Chateau Frontenac; the plastic thing that you see in the middle of the picture?  well, you can peer into that and you'll see a museum beneath you.   We took a tour one day for under $4!!  It was very interesting, apparently they found tons of artifacts just a few years ago, everyone use to throw everything into the latrine....

the chateau frontenace

our first ride was to the Mount Morency Waterfall....nice ride along the St. Lawrnence

this is what we were riding, everyone was intrigued!

the walkway leading up to the waterfall

I've focused in on the bridge up above this picture

We're headed to lunch first and then we'll be hanging out by the Hilton Pool ($30 for the week to use the pool and fitness area, what a deal!  we used it every day)

I guess you'd have to agree that it was worth spending $24 on a burger and fries as the restaurant (L'Astral) rotates slowly as you eat, and you get these incredible views like the one below, that cannot be beat!

The Parliament building

The Citadel

matchbox cars!

St. . Louis gate

One of the bands that was playing for free right around the corner from our condo, part of the  Quebec Music Festival

love this hotel, the Clarion, very old and classy!

The condo where we are staying is in one of these buildings!

Stairs everywhere!

funny window displays

I can never get enough photos of the Chateau Frontenac

this is the Eliptogo!

today we're headed for the Old Quebec bridge, and then over to Levis

We got to hang out at the Hilton Pool each afternoon....it's outside and heated....this and the fitness center cost $30 a week for anyone who is not staying there

out for dinner

musicians everywhere

a mural 

Cafe Saint Marlo....our favorite!

on our way to Levis

duck confetti

We took the train from Quebec to Montreal mid-weed...just for the day, leaving at 5:30 a.m., arriving at 8:30 a.m.....we walked from the train station which is in the city center over to the Old Part where we walked up the Clock Tower.   It has recently been refurbished and it's free, all 192 steps!  From there, we strolled over to the Urban Garden which was lovely, and then onward to tackle Mount Royale.  We still had some energy and walked down Saint Catherine Street all the way past Gay Village.  By the time we got back to the train station, we were pooped and more than ready to sit on the train for another 3 hours, arriving back in Quebec shortly after 9 p.m.  It was a day well spent!

we've arrived in Montreal!

Notre Dame Cathedral in Montreal

urban beach in Montreal

the Clock Tower, we walked up 192 steps and got these views:

looking down

tick toc

remember the Expo in 1970?

the Urban Garden

they grow kale all over the streets!

Now we're headed up Mount Royale

the top

The McGill campus

Gay Village

Walking down St. Catherine

The train trip back to Quebec

That round building?  go up there for lunch, the Astral

down in the old city

this was like 300+ steps!  pretty steep

nature trail on the Plains of Abraham

free pool and park

this is behind the Art Museum

loved the colors in this

We went on a tour (a self-guided tour) of the "museum" beneath the promenade deck in front of the Chateau....see all of the dishes, vases, etc. they found just a few years ago in the latrine!

they were giving a chocolate demonstration

It was customary to receive one's guests by one's bedside!  

To be continued.....