Kristina's folks, Patty and Bill, met us in Quebec City. We were very happy to see them! Here we are in our Airbnb condo.
We had a great time exploring the Old City. We bundled up in jackets because it was cold weather.
The walls were originally built by the French to secure the city against the English.
Patty and Pete had fun posing on them.
Quebec City was well-fortified. Pete tried using the old cannons as spots to relax.
This is the Chateau Frontenac hotel, the tallest building in the old town.
And here the hotel is in the distance, as seen from the charming Quartier Petit Champlain neighborhood.
Patty and Kristina couldn't resist posing as historical French mother and daughter. Kristina had to crouch down while Patty had to stretch up tall.
For lunch we had poutine, a local dish of fried potatoes with gravy and cheese curds. We ordered it topped with pulled pork and it was tasty!
We had a lovely dinner was at Chez Boulay, which serves Nordic cuisine.
We started with the seafood platter, and made quick work of the mussels, smoked salmon, haddock spread and shrimp fritters.
We took a day trip north of Quebec City to the Montmorency waterfalls.
At 272 feet, they are 30 feet taller than Niagara Falls.
It was a workout to climb the 400 steps to the top of the falls.
It was fun to walk across the suspension bridge and take in the views.
This photo was taken from the suspension bridge looking upriver of most of the falls.
We saw a photo of what Montmorency Falls look like in winter. The blow back from the falls freezes into a large ice hill that people slide down.
We had fun walking around the neighborhood near our Airbnb. Kristina is at a small chocolate museum, standing next to a dress made of chocolate.
We happened to be in Quebec City on Parking Day. These people had "parked" a couch and coffee table in a metered spot and were spreading the word about how to reclaim space from cars for people. Started in 2005 in San Francisco, Parking Day is now an international event.
Next we headed to Montreal. We drove through Parc du Mont Royal, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York's Central Park and many others. It was hazy so the views weren't that good, but we did enjoy visiting the oldest building in the park. We learned that the "mountain" that the park is on is an ancient volcanic complex, which has worn away to its present height of 750 feet, the tallest point on Montreal island.
We loved walking around Jean-Talont market, sampling the fruits and looking at all the food.
Pete is holding a beautiful eggplant. No, he did not throw it like a shot put.
We had lunch at a creperie in Jean-Talont. Patty and Bill are ordering some savory crepes.
Bill was hungry and ready to eat his crepe!
Pete had to hurry up and take this photo. Filled with spinach, lox, cream cheese and tomato, the crepes were delicious.
At Jean Talont we bought a nice selection of vegetables and duck breasts that Pete cooked for us.
We stayed in an Airbnb apartment on the oldest street in Montreal, Rue Saint Paul. Here Pete is standing in front of the building. Our apartment was on the top floor, so we climbed a lot of stairs.
Inside it was spacious and modern.
This is the view from the roof top deck.
From the top floor bedroom we could see part of Notre Dame de Montreal.
Our location made it easy to explore the old town. This is the front of Notre Dame.
The cathedral is painted blue inside and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
There are stained glass windows showing the history of Montreal, including the building of this cathedral.
In front of the cathedral was a fountain with interesting features.
It felt like Fall as we walked around, and we enjoyed seeing the colored leaves and modern sculpture near Chateau Ramezay.
This building was constructed in 1800.
We liked to see evidence of the history and evolution of the old quarter. The stone house next to this brick building is gone, but its outline remains.
We ate like royalty in Montreal! Here we are at Laloux, an upscale French bistro.
We started with their house-made charcuterie and pickles, wow! Our friend Nancy had told us that everything there was delicious, and she was right!
Kristina and Patty look happy because they like their dinner choices.
Here's the interior of the restaurant.
Montreal has an incredible botanical garden. We spent a day walking around it.
This is a cacao tree. Its trunk was covered in blossoms, but only a handful will be successfully pollinated and form into pods that can be made into chocolate.
This plant is called a Snail Begonia.
Kristina is standing next to a 50 year old bonsai pine tree. We saw bonsai as old as 110 years.
Here's Pete with air fern hair.
He'd blend in if powdered wigs came back in style. This portrait of the destinguished Frenchy is in the Chateau Ramezay museum.
Walking around in the Plateau Mont Royal neighborhood reminded us on San Francisco's Mission district.
This is house-made prosciutto at Au Pied du Cochon restaurant.
The restaurant had a lively environment
And there were lots of cooks in the kitchen.
Bill ordered the happy pork chop. Luckily it was big enough to share and we all porked out.
This dish is called the Melting Pot, with pork belly, blood sausage, kielbasa served over incredible mashed potatoes.
Pete was in hog heaven with this meal!
This was our third trip with Patty and Bill, and we had a wonderful time!
In memory of our friend Susan, we are spreading the word that September is ovarian cancer awareness month. Known as the whisper cancer, its symptoms often aren't identified as cancer until it's too late. Here's a link for information about painting your toenails to help raise awareness.
Next we're heading to New York City.
We had a great time exploring the Old City. We bundled up in jackets because it was cold weather.
The walls were originally built by the French to secure the city against the English.
Patty and Pete had fun posing on them.
Quebec City was well-fortified. Pete tried using the old cannons as spots to relax.
This is the Chateau Frontenac hotel, the tallest building in the old town.
And here the hotel is in the distance, as seen from the charming Quartier Petit Champlain neighborhood.
Patty and Kristina couldn't resist posing as historical French mother and daughter. Kristina had to crouch down while Patty had to stretch up tall.
For lunch we had poutine, a local dish of fried potatoes with gravy and cheese curds. We ordered it topped with pulled pork and it was tasty!
We had a lovely dinner was at Chez Boulay, which serves Nordic cuisine.
We started with the seafood platter, and made quick work of the mussels, smoked salmon, haddock spread and shrimp fritters.
We took a day trip north of Quebec City to the Montmorency waterfalls.
At 272 feet, they are 30 feet taller than Niagara Falls.
It was a workout to climb the 400 steps to the top of the falls.
It was fun to walk across the suspension bridge and take in the views.
This photo was taken from the suspension bridge looking upriver of most of the falls.
We saw a photo of what Montmorency Falls look like in winter. The blow back from the falls freezes into a large ice hill that people slide down.
We had fun walking around the neighborhood near our Airbnb. Kristina is at a small chocolate museum, standing next to a dress made of chocolate.
We happened to be in Quebec City on Parking Day. These people had "parked" a couch and coffee table in a metered spot and were spreading the word about how to reclaim space from cars for people. Started in 2005 in San Francisco, Parking Day is now an international event.
Next we headed to Montreal. We drove through Parc du Mont Royal, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York's Central Park and many others. It was hazy so the views weren't that good, but we did enjoy visiting the oldest building in the park. We learned that the "mountain" that the park is on is an ancient volcanic complex, which has worn away to its present height of 750 feet, the tallest point on Montreal island.
We loved walking around Jean-Talont market, sampling the fruits and looking at all the food.
Pete is holding a beautiful eggplant. No, he did not throw it like a shot put.
We had lunch at a creperie in Jean-Talont. Patty and Bill are ordering some savory crepes.
Bill was hungry and ready to eat his crepe!
Pete had to hurry up and take this photo. Filled with spinach, lox, cream cheese and tomato, the crepes were delicious.
At Jean Talont we bought a nice selection of vegetables and duck breasts that Pete cooked for us.
We stayed in an Airbnb apartment on the oldest street in Montreal, Rue Saint Paul. Here Pete is standing in front of the building. Our apartment was on the top floor, so we climbed a lot of stairs.
Inside it was spacious and modern.
This is the view from the roof top deck.
From the top floor bedroom we could see part of Notre Dame de Montreal.
Our location made it easy to explore the old town. This is the front of Notre Dame.
The cathedral is painted blue inside and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
There are stained glass windows showing the history of Montreal, including the building of this cathedral.
In front of the cathedral was a fountain with interesting features.
It felt like Fall as we walked around, and we enjoyed seeing the colored leaves and modern sculpture near Chateau Ramezay.
This building was constructed in 1800.
We liked to see evidence of the history and evolution of the old quarter. The stone house next to this brick building is gone, but its outline remains.
We ate like royalty in Montreal! Here we are at Laloux, an upscale French bistro.
We started with their house-made charcuterie and pickles, wow! Our friend Nancy had told us that everything there was delicious, and she was right!
Kristina and Patty look happy because they like their dinner choices.
Here's the interior of the restaurant.
Montreal has an incredible botanical garden. We spent a day walking around it.
This is a cacao tree. Its trunk was covered in blossoms, but only a handful will be successfully pollinated and form into pods that can be made into chocolate.
This plant is called a Snail Begonia.
Kristina is standing next to a 50 year old bonsai pine tree. We saw bonsai as old as 110 years.
Here's Pete with air fern hair.
He'd blend in if powdered wigs came back in style. This portrait of the destinguished Frenchy is in the Chateau Ramezay museum.
Walking around in the Plateau Mont Royal neighborhood reminded us on San Francisco's Mission district.
This is house-made prosciutto at Au Pied du Cochon restaurant.
The restaurant had a lively environment
And there were lots of cooks in the kitchen.
Bill ordered the happy pork chop. Luckily it was big enough to share and we all porked out.
This dish is called the Melting Pot, with pork belly, blood sausage, kielbasa served over incredible mashed potatoes.
Pete was in hog heaven with this meal!
This was our third trip with Patty and Bill, and we had a wonderful time!
In memory of our friend Susan, we are spreading the word that September is ovarian cancer awareness month. Known as the whisper cancer, its symptoms often aren't identified as cancer until it's too late. Here's a link for information about painting your toenails to help raise awareness.
Next we're heading to New York City.