Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Quebec Trip 2012

We made the annual trek to my old stompin' grounds in September.  I wanted the kids to experience an agricultural fair with real animals, jam and baking competitions.  Carleton County doesn't have anything like that, so the fair I thought was tiny when I was a teen filled the gap quite nicely.
 
First, we had to get there.  Luckily my mom agreed to come with me to help with the kids.
 
The best thing about traveling with my mom is that we both believe that the journey is just as important as the destination.  Though we have our favourite pitstops on the 6 hour drive, we aren't afraid to take new exits and explore a bit of the countryside. 
 
We took a wrong turn and ended up here. There was a marina and a little play park.  I believe it was Notre Dame du Lac.
 
 
 

We meant to get off at Cap St Martin, but found this place instead.  We had lunch on the bike trail.  This is my mom and Eva, with the Saint Lawrence behind them.
 

We went looking for bathrooms and this is what we found!  A restored seigneurie!  This is the old mill.
 
There were acres and acres of paths, oak forests, gardens and little surprises.  The pictures just don't do it justice.
 
Someone had carved seats from stumps.
 
This is a centuries old house, maybe used by the seigneur?  My mom loved this scarecrow.
 
Grammy and girls.
 
 
Poutine - the real kind!  Squeaky curd cheese, poutine sauce (not gravy) and deep fried potatoes. 
 
We climbed the lookout and looked out. 
 
Very cool metal horse sculptures.
 
 

 
Very cool tiny horse that Graedon got to ride.
 
Graedon was put in charge of helping cousin K on the rides.  It was so cute.  He held her hand and everything.  Can you say "aw!"?
 
 
On our way back we stopped at the Chutes Montmorency park.  Gorgeous.
 

 
 
 
 
We walked the suspension bridge, which was a tad scary for the vertically challenged.
 
 
Another detour we took was to the space observatory on the way home.  It was closed for renovations, but still cool.


So there you have it!  What are your family trips like?

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