Quebec, Canada-Camping Transit Campground

JULY 17-26, 2015

This week, we returned to Canada, but this time we took our RV and stayed at a campground in Quebec! Greg was off of work and we had a great time exploring Quebec together.

Fortunately, nearly everyone we met spoke English and it was funny that all we really had to say was one “Bon Jour” and they would reply with “Ah! English!” But it was a really fun experience. It was cool to see how much we could read and figure out on our own. But comprehending anything spoken was totally different because the pronunciation seemed so different than what was written!

We spent two days in Quebec City. Each time we took a ferry. The first day we toured the city on the guided Red Line double decker tour bus. The tour was just okay for us. We could not sit up on the top until the loop was almost complete so there was much that we didn't get to see as well as we liked. On the positive side, it was a nice introduction to the city.

So after the bus ride, we grabbed some lunch and set out on our own to explore the city.  It was so quaint and pretty!

(Le Chateau Frontenac)

The second day, we walked along the walls of  the city and then visited the Citadel, where we took a guided tour.

And here's the pretty view from the Citadel

We found a nice little restaurant with some delicious crepes and cider and then hunted for some live music but sadly never found the exact location.

The weather was cloudy and rainy for most of our stay in Quebec. On the day that it was to rain the most, we thought going to the Quebec Aquarium would be a nice option. And it was a fun place to go to but I did not realize how much there would be to see outdoors. It was more like a mix between Sea World and an aquarium.  So we still had to put up with the rain a little.

They also had a fun playground, splash pad and a ropes course for the kids.

On another day we visited Montmorency Falls. It was gorgeous but I wish the day had been sunnier. The falls are taller than Niagara but not as wide. We took a cable car to the top.

Then we crossed the bridge at the top of the falls and walked DOWN the stairs.  NOT advisable to do in reverse! ;)

From there we drove to Ile d'Orleans (Island of Orleans) checked out some of the beautiful scenery.  The entire island is a National Historic Site of Canada and nicknamed the Garden of Quebec.

We checked out a local brewery and bakery then went berry picking for strawberries and raspberries.

And I saved the best for last! About an hour from the campground was Parc National de Jacques Cartier. It was absolutely gorgeous! 

We took our bikes and rode a ways along the main road of the park then ventured down one of the trails that followed the river.

Afterwards, we went to hike the Les Leups (fox) trail. Not long after we started our UPHILL hike, it began to sprinkle. Then it began to rain. So after 40 minutes, we decided to turn back unsure of how much further it was to the observation tower and what kind of shelter it would provide. The trip back down was about 20 minutes and wouldn't you know that when we reached the parking lot, the rain stopped!! But we decided to call it a day.

BUT we also decided that we just had to see more of this park. So two days later, we returned! This time we took a rafting trip down that gorgeous river. The views were breathtaking but sadly we couldn't really bring one of our cameras along.  Fortunately another rider had her waterproof one and emailed us this shot!

When we signed up for the trip, I had no idea it would involve so much paddling!! In my mind, I guess I was thinking about tubing down the Comal river in San Marcos. You just float and ride the rapids! That's not how its done apparently. We rowed for a solid one and a half hours (as per our guide's instructions)! Well except for the time we had to get out of the raft and CARRY it past some rapids! It may be filled with air but it is seriously heavy!

Despite all that, I loved it. Rafting through the rapids was easier than I expected and it was just so beautiful.

Then we tackled the Les Leups trail again. We were happy to discover that the observation tower was NOT just around the corner from when we turned back the first time. It took an hour to make it to the tower and we were moving a bit faster than we were during the rain.

And the reward was beautiful, a little hazy but still breathtaking.

We left the park wishing we had more time to spend there. We didn't see any bears or moose but we did see a couple of foxes and the largest crow I have seen in my life! And we saw a porcupine! The first we have ever seen in a natural setting.

It was a GREAT trip!

Next stop is Bar Harbor, Maine