Happy Anniversary, Brian and Eileen! Has it really been 30 years since we took that fateful trip, with kids (sometimes screaming loudly!) in tow to share and celebrate your wonderful day! Hope you had a great day!
We had a travel day today, to Quebec City, about 8 hours. It pretty well rained all night and it is hard getting up when it is cold and rainy outside but not so much inside. We didn’t set up the entire camp since it was later so it is that much easier. We did drive to the showers to enjoy a hot one before we headed out. It wasn’t a very strong stream but it stayed hot and that is always good! The rain lasted several ours, sometimes stronger than others. We stopped at a Tim Horton's and had breakfast and then moved on. The coasts were behind us and it was “Interstate” driving. Cheryl wrote the blog from yesterday and we are hoping for publication yet this evening.
We took a small detour to drive through the WORLD’S longest covered bridge, 1282 feet! It was actually built in 1901 as a ferry was the only way to cross otherwise. It was originally a toll bridge to help pay for it. A fire nearly destroyed it in 1907 and then ice jams took out sections of it. It was repaired and covered in 1922. It was vandalized in the 1960s (WHY????) and ultimately heavy trucks were barred from using it. There is another road since then that heavier traffic can use now. It is now considered a National Historic Site!
Cheryl drove for a bit. Since she is extremely extremely directionally challenged, straight stretches or the same roads for long distances are usually the safest. She zipped right past Edmundston, and pulled over for gas and Andrew pulled the final stretch.
Deciding on where to stay is always complicated. AirBnBs are usually awesome and easy. For some reason, in Quebec City, it was not. A really good price was only a good price for 30 days! Another had poor reviews for cancelling without notice. Another didn’t have parking and several were rather pricey--more than hotels!! A look at “native” hotels also brought up some interesting prospects! Built in the late 1800s, tall ceilings, charming furniture, close to historic downtown, etc. but the real problem is parking!! We did want to be near the OLD part so we could meander around in the morning. We decided to go with Holiday Inn even though it wasn’t downtown. Free parking, free breakfast and a bus that stops right there as well as a shuttle if we wanted to explore that too. They are dependable! The only downside was this one did NOT have laundry facilities and that is something we wanted/needed(?) to do. But we know how to rinse and wring and hang. :)
We hopped in the truck and drove down towards the old downtown to grab a quick bite. Parking was definitely an issue. Most places required permits or were underground parking. Quebec is reminiscent of European cities and the streets are narrow, most cars small. We have a large truck anyway and currently it is even longer with the bike hitch and two bikes. We did find parking near a park!! The sign reminded us of the one hour limit but it was close enough. We walked the wooden boardwalk around the area. A commemorative plaque stated that this area was the original location of where Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec in 1608. That is something we do talk about in 5th and 6th grade Social Studies as he explored quite bit of Canada. He was the first European to explore and describe the Great Lakes! Side note: his children were named Faith, Hope, and Charity!
We found an entire street lit up with many restaurant choices. Once we crossed into the Quebec province most signs and such were in French only. To luck we’d seen enough moose warning signs to know what the French ones said! Every other place it was English first and then French, or in parts of Nova Scotia, English and Gaelic! The menu had a French side and an English and we just shared a couple of appetizers and one dessert. Outstanding!!! A neighboring table got drinks and steel straws!! That was a first and a great idea!!
Usually Aaron does his magic on Cheryl’s hair every 5 weeks or so, but she can’t be on vacation and at Aaron’s at the same time so we HAD to attempt it ourselves. There is a reason she has a standing appointment! It is complicated and messy. First, we needed to stop to get a box of color (This hasn’t been done at home in maybe 15 years??). ONE pharmacy was open 24 hours (even the local Walmart was already closed!), and the “recommended” one for ease of use was not to be found so Cheryl had to stand and study the 15’ x 5’ aisle of choices. Several people stopped to look over the selections as well including one with orange hair. We sincerely hope we didn’t get whatever brand she used. :O
The GPS told us to go left and then right too late so we landed up going across the river again, but Andrew’s a pro and got us back to our hotel.
Then you carefully mix this with that and open the door as it stinks!! With covered hands, you hope you cover the gray good enough, wipe off the stuff that gets on skin without hair, go over it again, have someone (Thanks, Andrew!) to check the back for coverage (of what should be and what shouldn’t be) and then assist with whatever is needed. And wait, and wonder what the housekeeping staff will think when they see a hair color box in the trash--that we are trying to change our identity!! :)
We are waiting it out. It will be fine regardless!! Perhaps a hat for the upcoming wedding??? Hats are very fashionable!
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