Capitol Day in Ottawa: St. Jerome, Quebec, Canada 9/26/2009

It was COLD when we woke up this morning – about 37 deg. There was no rain in sight, but it was definitely the fall season. After the usual morning routine, we packed up pretty quickly and headed out at about 8:30. It was a beautiful drive out of the park, in and out of the fog and watching the steam rising off the various lakes with the fall foliage in the background. We drove about 2 ½ hours to Canada’s capitol of Ottawa not really knowing what to expect. Unintentionally we came across a bike path along the Ottawa river and because it was such a beautiful day, decided to take it into the centre of Ottawa, Parliament Hill. (The above pic is taken along the bike path). Considering the forecast, we were amazed at the great weather, a downright balmy mid-60’s with blue skies. Roundtrip the bike ride was about 20 miles. (I’ve posted on facebook the ride – check it out). We knew nothing about Ottawa and assumed it was a typical run of the mill city. Boy, were we wrong! It has a very international, cosmopolitan feel. We particularly enjoyed the different languages being spoken: French, English & German, and all the different nationalities including Iranian, Chinese, Haitian, and of course a couple of Americans milling around. The Parliament Hill area is incredible with its castle like setting above the Ottawa River. The copper mansard roofs and gothic stone architecture felt very much like we were in a European city. We came across a marketplace that was surreal. We parked our bikes and spent a couple of hours walking through the stands and shops. A sampling of what we saw: stands that were showcasing berries, flowers, maple syrup, cranberries, vegetables, etc. and all displayed beautifully. We loved the individual cheese, fish, bakery, chocolate and meat shops. We stopped at an outside café and enjoyed a schwarma wrap followed by gelato. Yum! After we biked back to the winniemobile, we decided to venture into the province of Quebec and follow back roads to St. Jerome, our destination for the night. The minute we crossed over the river we knew we weren’t in Kansas anymore. Nothing is in English! As Ned was driving and I was navigating (a dangerous combination), I kept trying to look up words in our French-English dictionary to acclimate ourselves to the non-Anglo environment. After about the third try I was getting very frustrated in not finding ANY of the words. Ned “suggested” that perhaps I was looking at the scrabble dictionary. I checked the front cover and oops, it was our Spanish-English dictionary. Mon Dieu! No wonder I couldn’t find any of the words. After locating the correct dictionary, the searches were much more fruitful. We really enjoyed traveling next to the Ottawa River thru various Canadian-French towns that were quite charming. (I particularly enjoyed Montebello and Fassett!). When we finally arrived in St. Jerome, about an hour outside Montreal, we were a little concerned as our camping destination appeared to be next to a large shopping center, including a Walmart. Fortunately, it was down a country road a little bit and in a very charming “French” trailer park. It’s a warm evening, it still hasn’t rained, and we are drinking wine and beer near a lake, outside the “Salle Communautaire” (Community Room) listening to a dj. He’s playing classic American rock, with a spinning mirrored disco-ball, as French-Canadian teenagers mill around outside. What a day!

Highway to Heaven: Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada 9/25/2009

We woke up this morning and dang it was cold! (Mid 40’s, but felt much colder). After firing up the furnace, we decided to stay in bed and keep cozy for a bit more. Let me tell you it was one fast bike ride to the shower and back! After warming up with some hot coffee and breakfast, we decided to take an early morning bike ride to the falls. The day started out slightly overcast, so I wasn’t able to get the “morning light” pictures I was hoping for. The falls were still quite impressive anyway. We had a long drive ahead of us to Algonquin Provincial Park, at least 5 hours, but I knew with the stops we usually make it would take us much longer. The drive was one of the prettiest, if not the most beautiful drive yet of the trip. We had miles and miles (or should I say kilometers and kilometers) of rolling hills exploding in fall colors. We drove next to endless rivers and streams, all showcasing autumns finest. (See today’s pic taken from the car). We were entertained by listening to the local CBC (Canadian Broadcast Channel) and occasionally turned on a French station, not that we could understand any of it, but it was fun to hear. We were also amused by the many “Chip Wagons” that dotted the highway. Apparently, other food is served from them, not just french fries. They always seem to be well populated too. Algonquin Park is very similar to our National Parks. One major road goes through the park. The park is quite expansive, 4800 square miles of forest, lakes and rivers. It is populated with moose, bear and wolves. In fact, the park rangers lead something called a “wolf howl”. They scout around looking for a wolf pack, by howling. If they find one, campers organize at the amphitheater and are lead down the highway whichever direction the pack is moving. Funny these Canadians. A couple of women, dressed in boots and down coats, just walked by our campsite and noted that we were a long way from home. They wanted to know if we were enjoying the park and that to them it was still summer! Even though the day cleared up and we were blessed with blue skies, it is definitely getting colder. The temp hit a high of about 65 today, but hanging out at the campsite at 7ish, it’s about 55 degrees. The forecast is for rain and possibly SNOW on Sunday or Monday. Surely these women jest! When we arrived at the park, we took a bike ride on one of the old rail trails. I had to turn back, not because I was tired, but just so darn cold! (We looked at the temp for Nevada City today and it said 94 deg!! – hard to believe.) Tomorrow is another long driving day, thru Ottawa and then on to Montreal. Should be tres magnifique.