Heart of Quebec City August 15-18

The next meetup with Pat and Jay was to be Quebec City.  We also had Rob’s brother and sister in law – Randy and Theresa – joining us there.  Having guests onboard is a cozy experience and we were sure to book something with a bit more personality than yet another WalMart for the occasion.  Rob and I headed out early for the fairly good stretch of road ahead.  I got some driving practice in along the way and the conditions and traffic didn’t present any obstacles.

The campground was not far to the south of the city and touted lake activities and many services.  We were greeted by the friendly proprietor with perfect English skills and we got ourselves set up and ready for company.  Randy and Theresa arrived shortly thereafter and we set out to investigate the campground.  With much less to offer than expected, we decided to take advantage of their car and head to a hike we found nearby. 

The park was pretty amazing with lots of trails and a grand set up for outdoor sports and services.  A gorgeous Olympic sized pool and every kind of ball field (including tether ball); camp was still in session when we arrived.  We got on the trail and enjoyed a great hike, stretching our legs after hours on the road. 

That evening I cooked up a quick stir fry as we all caught up and Randy helped Rob untangle the medusan head of equipment and cords for the tv on board.  We found a copy of Bridesmaids in the dvd player and all fell into the distraction in good company.

The next morning began with heavy rain and bakery delivery!  The big surprise upon check in was the hosts offering fresh French pastries.  Not knowing entirely what I was ordering, we received quite the abundance of delicious (and naughty) treats!  I’d like to say we sampled but we did a solid job of consuming every chocolate delight and a full flaky croissant to boot!  If you ever come across something called a Choco-Suisse just order it!  You won’t be disappointed!

Randy and Theresa had spent a night in Quebec City before our arrival so they knew the ropes and we parked and into the old town without drama.  A quaint and beautiful area feeling exactly like being in Europe, nothing more than wandering was needed for entertainment.  We met up with Pat and Jay and continued our exploration.  The multi-level city was fascinating and little surprises and grand vistas at every turn.

Being that Theresa is a champion beer lover and Rob and Randy were willing compadres, there was no contest as to what to do for the afternoon.  A beer festival was being held on the waterfront a short walk from Old Town.  Expensive but fun were the descriptors for the event.  With our beer steins and tokens in hand we set out to conquer French craft beer!  Not being nearly the connoisseur as the others, I scoped out food options, danced with some  

servers and found myself a righteous craft distillery’s gin and tonic!

Day drinking took its toll as we wandered that afternoon.  After the mandatory viewing of the famous and resplendent Hotel Frontenac, we looked for a coffee pick me up.  Before finding the needed café, we found the park … and the grass … and a nap!  And then we found another drink!!!  Not a day of behaving!  We met up with
Patricia and Jay one last time, took time for another photo and said our goodbyes before heading back to camp.

Making up for bad behavior, we set our sights on another hike the next morning.  Driving to a park along the Saint Lawrence Seaway, we walked for 5 miles through a lovely waterfront community, a state park and up and down massive staircases leading to railroad trestles over the water. 

With rain in the forecast the balance of the day, we took advantage of a shopping adventure through the IKEA not far from the campground.  Rob had never been and Randy and Theresa came with a list to accomplish and we made good humor of the consumer entertainment – complete with $1 ice cream as a finale!

With access to their car, we took advantage of a grocery stop and finished the day with a wonderful barbeque dinner under the awning in the rain – complete with s’mores ala grill flame!  Card games on the picnic table in candlelight and another silly movie and we called it a day and a grand time together.

And as quick as it started, we were all headed back to our own individual adventures!