It will be an easy drive to Quebec City. As we drive to Monteal which Ron and Michelle gave us directions to avoid the main roads. Unfortunately we looked at them just as we passed the exit we needed to take. The good thing is the traffic moved slowly and very smooth. The highway to get across the St. Lawrence is a combination of bridge and tunnel. The tunnel was started in 1963 and opened in 1967.  Because it would have disfigured  the city with a huge bridge and would have destroyed a neighborhood the tunnel was built. Sections were 15ft. and weighed 32,000 tons. The total length is 1.1mi. long. 120,000 vehicles a day or 44 million a year pass through. Wow!

Traveling we find dog parks is one of the best ways to end the day. Finding this one, the people who own it were amazed that I did. Called Pein-Air Canin, the owners teach Agility and have wonderful walking paths through the woods. Oh and a really nice steam.

We get back to camp and we have neighbors. Jim watched them as they set up camp and noticed some confused expressions. It was their first time RV camping ever. He was able to get them settled in and answer a lot of question. They promised to come over later and celebrate their accomplishments.

Everyone is up and getting ready to go. Well, Rana, Jet and their families. They are headed to Prince Albert Island and the Bay of Fundy? However the boys are moving a little slow. Something about some bad fruit.

Jim and I are headed to the old city of Quebec. Going by the Quebec bridge. The bridge was opened in 1919. The bridge collapsed twice once in 1907 and again in 1916. The center span of 1,800 feet is the longest cantilevered bridge span in the world. Besides that it’s just pretty cool.

Finally we’ve made it to the Old City. Wow we are back in a village in France. Everything is French, right down to the Bruskers entertaining on the streets. Quebec City is a walled city. From 1608 to 1871 when the English took over the city they started  fortifying the walls. The Citidael is the heart of it and is the largest British fortress in North America.

It’s a chilly day a great one just to look around and be a tourist. We found an Inukshuk made of Canadian Jade. Just had to take it home. Inukshuk means likeness of a human. The traditional meaning is “Someone was here.” or “You are on the right path.”

This is the Pierre Laporte Bridge it is 660ft. West of the old Quebec Bridge. It’s claim to fame is it is the longest main span suspension bridge in Canada. It opened in 1970. The sun popped through the clouds, made a bright spot in the river.

Today with cycle path map in hand we are on an adventure. Getting away from the campsite we get a great shot of the Quebec bridge. Just to make sure we were on the right track we stopped these two fellows. Boy, were we off. The fellow with the back pack got us in the right direction.

Following the road we had to stop for a cappuccino and a muffin. That is tradition. Finally the cycle path.

The huge tanks on the right are holding tanks for fuel. The red structure crossing above the path move fuel up into the city. I only know this because I stopped this fellow the next day who told me what it was all about. It was funny when he told me about the pipes over the path. He said,”I don’t know where it goes after that.” That is the old city across the St. Lawrence River.

All along the path there are places to relax and differences sculptures to discover. I could not resist the blue house with the blue truck.

The tanker at the top is one that helps fill that big painted tank up. The graffiti in the tunnels are really colorful.  Jim at one of the cycle path signs . Many choices are out there.

Today at the dog park we went a different way and found this stream. Just what the Doogie ordered.  This little hut was there a well. Seemed to need some TLC. Headed back to start the  hawk up in the tree flew over our heads and up.

This morning we are headed to the old city via the ferry. Construction outside our campground keeps this guy busy. I believe this is what St.Nick does in the off season. We stopped at the Cycle du Pont bike shop to get some tires for my bike. Phillipe owns the shop. He gave us tee shirts when I told him where we were from and also I wanted to take his photo. The car below is pulling a little camper and I mean little.

On the way to the ferry we passed these bird houses and the fire hydrant has a marker above it for the winter when the snows get high. Fortunately  I won’t be around to get a photo of that. Above is Nancy who sells tickets for the ferry. She wouldn’t speak English for us. She did smile and giggle a lot while we tried to get her to slip and says something in English.

Got tickets! Now how to get on the ferry. While waiting we talked with this fellow, John Claude Rheaume. He rides every day from beyond the Quebec Bridge, crosses on the ferry and rides home. 28K. He rides or 17.3 miles. The sculpture of magnets is outside the boarding area for the ferry.

Bikes on board and passing another ferry along the way. I could not resist these ladies taking in the view. Ok it’s an old photo.

Not real sure about this guys story. I’m sure he is a friend of Captain Jack Sparrow’s. Love the matching scooters. The local market was quite busy for the middle of the week. Lunch at the Buffet de Fantiquaire which has been here for over 40 years.

One last walk at the dog park we ran into Nancy who owns the park. With her two poodles. Doogie with Nancy’s husband, Michel. They also have this muddy little wire haired terrier. They train agility and also judge for competition.

One of the interesting things about RVing is there are constantly new neighbors. This is Marion and Ken. They lived not far from where we are camping. They were fun with lots of information and tips on what to see and do. One place they told us about was the Isle de Orleans across from the Old City Quebec. It would be a great place to ride. Tomorrow was our last day here so it became our new adventure for tomorrow.

Up and on the road on Isle de Orleans. One of our first observations was there are quite a few vineyards here. One after another. The road was smooth and wandered through tree covered areas. Big fuel tanker headed up the river.

Picking time for strawberries and harvesting wheat in the fields.

These transformers have huge springs on them. We decided it must be for the winds here, most likely in the winter.The thing about this area is there is not a shortage of hill climbing. Thank goodness for descents. Gosh what a neat barn.

We found this beautiful place for lunch and it was a museum for this area as well.

Across  the way from where we ate lunch I saw this cage. I thought it was an aviary. Closer inspection and story board I found out it was a fish weir specially to catch eel. The eels are born in the Sargossa Sea near Bermuda Islands. They finish growing in the St.Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. When they mature they go back to where the were born.

This area was known for ship building and repairs. The wooden structure was part of the hauling system to get boats out of the water. They would lubricate it with fish oil.

It’s always flat before the climb. A dairy farm up the hill with a stream running down to the St. Lawrence on the other side.

Dang, this climb won’t end. The girl at lunch told us it was flat. Yeah, right, in a car maybe. It was really an awesome ride. Just after this barn the descent started. Just as we picked up speed there was a sign that said 14%. I didn’t stop to get a shot of that.

Back to the beginning along the way a strawberry stand, happy cows. Oh yes and one more barn! Headed back across the river from the island we spotted this water fall.  Quebec City and all around has been fun. The cycling was more than we expected. What a great time. Tomorrows destination The Bay of Fundy. Going to  see the Bay and it’s famous Tides is what made our decision to travel this direction this summer. Should be interesting. To be continued……