Vieux-Quebec!

Leaving Ottawa, we were headed to Quebec City, another short drive. In just under 4 hours we were checked into the KOA just outside of the city. KOA's are great, you always know what you are getting because they are all pretty much the same. The bikes were quickly unloaded and the kids and I were headed to the pool! When Keith joined us, he mentioned that he thought he recognized our neighbours who were camping next door to us. Sure enough it was a Royals Basketball family from Barrie who were on their way to PEI - such a small world!

The reason for stopping here was to show the kids Old Quebec City and the KOA provided a shuttle into the city. These are things you need to think about when you are in an RV - how are you going to get around once you reach your destination? Taking a 30ft RV around the cobblestone streets of an old town is not something even we are willing to do.

So early the next morning we were up ready to catch the bus into Old Quebec. It was about a 20 minute drive but our shuttle had a few (!) stops to make and 2 short hours later we were ready to explore the old city on the St Lawrence. Poor Keith, I knew he'd much rather be floating in his boat, but here he was surrounded by tourists in the blazing heat ready to sightsee. What a good man. Abby was demanding bagels and crepes but we held off and did a tour of the Citadelle before heading into the chaos. 310 stairs later and we were on top of the Plains of Abraham. My history knowledge was challenged to explain this to the kids, but I think they got the most important details. What my high school history brain didn't recall was that July 3rd is the Anniversary of the Founding of Quebec City.  Lucky us! Back from the Citadelle and after Abby's crepe, we happened upon a parade of sorts leading to City Hall. Keith could take comfort in knowing that he probably wasn't the sweatiest guy in the city. I'm not sure how these guys weren't fainting from the heat.

Happy Founding of Quebec City Day!

Aw!

After lots of souvenir stores, a few purchases, a nice lunch in a sidewalk cafe, some ice cream and lots of heat, we were glad that our shuttle gave us the option to leave at 3pm or 6pm - we opted for 3pm thinking at least we'd be home around dinnertime!! The traffic was nuts due to the holiday and all 4 of us fell asleep as the bus lurched and stopped over and over and over. Back at the KOA we did not take long getting to the pool and the kids enjoyed the jumping pillow and biking all over and exploring. At our campfire that night, Parker wowed us all with his marshmallow tossing (and catching with his mouth) as well as his life hack where he used an aluminum can to cook a wiener. Multi talented, this kid...I on the other hand enjoyed some Smashed Tea and Keith had his Bud Light Orange. Abby was just happy that we were all enjoying the evening together.

Not sure why Parker insists on acting like a Wanker in every pic!

One of my purchases of the day was our new friend, Bergy. Call it a weak moment and yes, I fell for the tourist trap which exists in nearly every store in Old Quebec, but this guy is just so darn cute. He is now a fixture on our dashboard and no matter how grumpy Keith and I get or how much the kids fight, little Bergy keeps on grooving with his cute little wiggle, reminding us that we love Canada and that's why we are here. Bergy won't give up.

Bobble Head Bergy

The next morning we were packing up and getting ready to hit the road again and I began to take notice of things you say in a campgrounds that are not your usual conversation starters. Take for instance, these mutterings that were said as the morning went on and we watched RV's, trailers and 5th wheels roll out of the KOA:
Me: That's a big rig!
Keith: This will be good to watch them back up
Me: Look at the size of the storage section!
Abby: There's so many Rentals! Rookies!
Keith: We could totally pull a car
Parker: There's another Maje, but she's a ginger
And my favourite...
Random stranger to Keith: Can I have a look at your rack? (bike rack) Apparently our bike rack is something to be admired.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but should we be worried that this is happening in La Belle Province?

The Stompin Grounds of All My Friends and Me

The View From Our Bus Tour

Driving East is way less intense than West. We started enjoying our vacation on day one. The kids were amazed that in 5 hours we were at our first destination – Ottawa, with virtually no mishaps. No real mishaps anyway.

We weren't 5 minutes from our house and I happened to glance back behind my seat where Abby was getting comfortable in her spot on the couch. I saw a glimmer of yellow. 'Abby!' I hollered, 'Get OFF that pillow!' When packing up my classroom the day before I took home the pillow that had been in our calming tent for the ENTIRE year. The yellow pillow. Ugh! Every month or so, I told myself that I should take it home and wash/disinfect it, but always managed to forget. Every sick, tired, sad, sniffling, gastro-compromised kid for an entire year, sought refuge on the yellow pillow. Keith, who had been unpacking the van and repacking the RV thought I got a comfy pillow to put on our couch. Seriously that pillow needs to be in a hazmat bag. What to do with this huge, germ infested pillow? We ended up putting it under the bed in the back where we have a storage area. I'm not sure how well I'll sleep knowing that thing is underneath me. Maybe we'll use it to start a campfire. Other highlights from our short drive – Keith + Farmers Market = no Fun, I’m still thinking about the painted rock he talked me out of buying. And a moving bush at the side of the road is probably just a lady in green dress helping a turtle cross the street (time to update the glasses prescription).

Due to the lack of camping close to Ottawa’s city center, we had booked a hotel with a parking lot able to handle Maje. We took no time starting out on our bikes to explore the city. It seemed a little quiet and we were excited that the crowds would not be an issue (nice try). As the navigator, I really did not know where I was going, so asked the front desk person to help us out. I motioned to her,

-I’m going out this door and heading this way to get to the Parliament Buildings (motioning with my arms). 

-Yes – says front desk lady.

Off we went. Within minutes on the bikes, we were lost. Typical. The map that I thought I put in the knapsack was not there and we were a sweating, angry mess. Funny how our good moods vanished into thin air! Oh, and the crowds we thought were non-existent, were hiding in the Byward Market, where we had ended up. A few grumpy moments later and we had a new map and were making our way to the canal for real. People will think it’s funny that we missed the canal completely but we weren’t surprised! Once we got our bearings, we enjoyed biking the canal immensely. It wasn’t crowded at all. Ottawa is a gorgeous city and the weather was amazing. All our grumpiness started to melt away. Looking back, I’m not sure why I took directions from that front desk because when I asked about making tour reservations for the mint, she asked me what a mint was... She only clued in when I said money factory! Too funny.

The first day in Ottawa was rounded out by dinner at OCCO at the bottom of our hotel at Albert and Bay – (highly recommend) and a walk down to the Parliament Buildings, the War Memorial and the locks. 

Day two in Ottawa: Full on tourist mode. We were at the War Museum pretty much when it opened and it was a ghost town. I asked where the people were, but we didn’t mind. We had the place to ourselves, including a volunteer take us around LeBreton Galerie. He had a wealth of knowledge that could fill 4 years of high school history. I love learning this way and this man had such a passion for the subject, I could’ve listened to him all day. However, we had things to see and do! Every time I’m in a city I don’t know, I love to take a hop on hop off bus tour. I’ve even done one in Toronto – the amount info you find out is unbelievable. Luckily Ottawa has open air double decker bus tours and the kids were excited as well. So, from the War Museum, we hopped on and headed to the National Gallery and the Royal Canadian Mint. The mint guided tour (aka the Money Factory) was recommended to us and we all found it really interesting so I’m recommending you put it on your must do list when you visit Ottawa. Unfortunately, much to Abby’s disappointment, they don’t give free samples. We walked back through Major Hills Park to the hotel and another dinner at OCCO.

Day Three – July 1^{st -} Ottawa: Still in tourist mode. Abby and I had decided to spend the day in Major Hill's Park which is where the fireworks would take place. The boys couldn’t believe that we could spend a whole day in a park, but we did it. The boys came and went throughout the day. I had my book, Abby had her iPad, we had water, lots of food vendors and we were ready to lie under a tree and people watch. We saw a bunch of musicians, Tyler Shaw included. We both enjoyed it and the weather was great again. We started a small obsession with Gabriel Pizza which was a vendor in the park. Great pizza. 10 hours later... the fireworks started they were well worth the day long wait! Love that we spent our first stop and Canada Day in this wonderful city!

Parker aka Loverboy update: He’s doing great and seems to be into this Epic East Coast Adventure. He is constantly on the lookout for good insta pics and we are happy to oblige. The hotel had Wi-Fi, gb are all in check. I only got one stink eye when I asked the boys to join us in a photo booth. Things are good.

Seriously, Mom?

I’ve decided my fuel for this summer is Georgian Bay Smashed Tea. Oh, my goodness. You think you’re drinking iced tea, but you’re totally not. Such a nice way to unwind after a day of touristing. Georgian Bay Gin, I’m looking for a sponsor for my travel blog. I can share my love of Georgian Bay everywhere I go – call me.

Nectar of the Gods