Ruth: It doesn't get better than this. After a couple of moderate hills the cycling today flattened out into a ribbon of asphalt snaking its way around several headlands and beaches. Add to that three separate sightings of minke whales and a lovely camping spot at the...
Gordon: We had the quintessential Canadian day today: pancakes with real maple syrup for breakfast, followed by a morning clubbing the seals. Just kidding, we had bread and jam for breakfast.We have been fortunate to see a number of interesting wild...
Ruth: Now that Gord has lost his shopping privileges things are going much better. I choked down the pea soup last night, but I don't plan on eating that again. For the record I have always respected the fact that Gord's mother regected the gender expectations of the...
Gordon: We lose weight on many days when we are touring, but then there are the days when we have poutine for breakfast. Today was one of those days. On the recommendation of the Tourist Office, we went to a popular local restaurant for second...
Ruth: A new chapter of our trip began when we took the ferry across the St. Laurence from Quebec City. We are now heading up to the Gaspé peninsula through beautiful towns and countryside. Just mentioning the word Gaspé terrifies and excites me. All...
Ruth: Tonight will be our third night within the walls of city of Quebec. This is definitely the closest Canada comes to being European, and yet we are still very much in the new world. Bear skin rugs, and signs for poutine, remind us of that. I think that...
Ruth: With all the beautiful places in Quebec, Gord wanted to go to Asbestos. Not one to deny him this dream, we spent much of the day taking side roads up to the giant town-swallowing hole. I am not exaggerating, the rock seam they were mining ran towards town...
Ruth: The towns and countryside of the Eastern Townships are so pretty. Today we left the flat riding behind as we cycled up into Mont Orford National Park. We have been following the Route Verte # 1 right from Montreal. Today it swung us up through the park from...
Gordon: We spent three busy but very enjoyable nights in Montreal with Ruth's cousin Rod and his wife Elena. They put their time and detailed knowledge of Montreal at our disposal, providing us with an outstanding opportunity to visit and learn about the...
Ruth: Our ride into Montreal was blissful after our previous day. Most of the route was on bike paths or bike lanes right into Montreal. We are spending three nights with my cousins in Montreal West so we can look around and reconnect. They are both passionate...
Ruth: We planned on a long day today so that tomorrow's ride into Montreal would be easier. The first 40 Kms were beautiful. The Long Sault Parkway enroute to Cornwall links the chain of islands that were created when the area was flooded for the Saint...
Ruth: I loved Kingston and our visit with Gord's cousin Brittany, her partner Emeric and their new baby Madeline. Kingston certainly has some amazing "Castles." After Kingston we paralleled the Thousand Islands where high water levels threatened many of...