Day 36: October 8, 2026. A walk through time.

Kasey was up early to take Tad out for his morning walk, a routine he usually follows whenever we’re visiting a new city. It rained a fair bit overnight, but our rolling cabin kept us dry and warm. Even though we are near a major city, this idyllic neighborhood is peaceful and quiet. As the neighbors got up to begin their day, our early start was driven by our new friends, Michel and Mériel, who needed to get their day moving. By 7:30 AM, we were settled inside their home with fresh coffee in hand, ready for whatever adventure the day had in store.

Michel brewed delicious espresso while Mériel set out yogurt, rich berry sauces, and tasty spreads for toast. Michel was preparing to visit his brother-in-law on Île d'Orléans, who is in hospice with inoperable cancer.

Wanting to be mindful of their schedules as they prepped for an international trip, we had originally planned to head into Québec City on our own. But to our absolute delight, Mériel offered to give us a guided walking tour before noon. The timing was ideal, as we needed to leave around midday for our next stop regardless. We set about quickly getting ready for our next adventure by returning to the motorhome and gathering the appropriate clothing.

I stepped out of the motorhome to see Mériel patiently waiting, and I said, "Je suis prête." She smiled at my willingness to try what little French I knew, but I could tell that she understood. Soon Kasey emerged, and we loaded into their car. Michel kindly gave us a lift close to downtown on his way to the island, leaving us with a quick bus ride back later. We did not know, but we would not get to say a proper goodbye to him on this trip. Even more of an incentive to find a way to meet up again someday.

We began our tour along Avenue Cartier, home to the Lumière sur l'art installation. The street was lined with giant lampshades mounted on sweeping, angled metal supports. At night, these shades cast a warm light over the avenue. Each shade showcased a distinct piece of artwork, making the whole street feel like an open-air gallery.

Mériel took time to explain so many details. The crossing switch, which many visitors find confusing, is activated by putting your finger under the red light.

It must be fun to watch the tourists struggle to unravel the puzzle.

On the street were vendors setting up for the day. Here you can buy a basket of vegetables with all the main items perfect for making a soup. There is an indoor market on this street where everything from cheese, bread, meat, fish, and vegetables are available. Very convenient and clean. If you live in Old Town Quebec City, this is perfectly situated for groceries.

Our walk took us by many interesting architectural buildings, historical plaques, and beautifully arranged gardens.

A military academy is perfectly matched to the architectural theme.

As we approached the Parliament Building, the immensity of it was captivating from all sides. Monuments to notable historic figures were on full display. Mériel explained that some sculptures were for people who were not so good.

The sculpture of 4 key women- three suffragettes, Marie Lacoste Gérin-LaJoie, Idola Saint-Jean, and Thérèse Forget-Casgrain; and Marie-Claire Kirkland, the first woman elected to the National Assembly- was on the side of the building. 

The statues were sculpted by Jules Lasalle and unveiled in 2012 by the Premier of Quebec, Pauline Marois. There is no fencing around the sculpture, and you can enjoy it up close. 

The front of Parliament was a little more crowded, as the tour buses had unloaded several groups of tourists. Guards were present, and we were not allowed to just wander in.

The front of Parliament is filled with historic figures, both French and British. Since Quebec is still a British Colony, there are a lot of depictions of notable British as well as French historical figures. As Michel pointed out yesterday, when the British arrived, the French eventually lost the confrontation. Sculptures also prominently displayed a tribute to the First Nations in front of the Parliament.

We strolled onward and passed a sculpture honoring the meeting of Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt when they met in 1943. The First Quebec Conference, where they discussed military strategies for World War II, including plans for the Normandy landings. This conference was significant for coordinating efforts between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It marked a pivotal moment in World War II, solidifying the alliance between the three nations and setting the stage for subsequent military actions, including the liberation of Europe.

We continued our journey through the city and enjoyed the discussions. 

The most prominent and biggest attraction has to be the iconic castle-like structure in Québec City, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Perched high on Cap Diamant overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Dufferin Terrace, this grand luxury hotel is the defining landmark of Québec City's skyline and holds the distinction of being the most photographed hotel in the world. This is where Churchill and Roosevelt stayed when they met in  Quebec City.

The views from here are amazing. It was a good time to visit because there were fewer people at this time of year.

We got a peek inside at this 5-star hotel. Mériel and I descended to the basement for a bathroom break. On this floor is a museum where you can learn about the history of the hotel, a feature that Mériel explained few people know about.

We departed the castle area to the old town section of the city. The narrow, cobblestone streets give you a sense of being in Europe. We stopped and picked up a few souvenirs and continued our walk, headed to the bus stop. One block of the town was filled with artists vending their creations. Walls of displays showing their works (mostly paintings of the castle from various angles)  were available to the tourists walking through, each artist with their own style.

Apparently, we will miss the parade that is assembling for the afternoon, as Mériel found out when she asked one of the parade participants. We need to get to the bus stop and get in our way.

Mériel used her pass for our fare. We hope to someday repay her for her and Michel's generosity.

The bus ride gave us more to see along the narrow roads with buildings and entrances very close to the roadway. This reminded me of the movies showing places in Europe where doorways exit right into the sidewalk. I imagine that one must get used to looking both ways before exiting your doorway here.

We walked short distance from the bus station to Mériel's house and received instructions on the best way for a motorhome to exit the city. We chose the most direct route with fewest turns which took us through some construction areas but had plenty of room for our oversized vehicle. Oddly, we did not see any other motorhomes while we were in the city. Several vehicles our size were delivery trucks.

Once we hit the highway we cruised along.

We drove through more colors and sparsely driven highways as we travelled east toward New Brunswick.

I enjoyed reading some of the signs in French. A sign for moose became frequent in these northern parts.

We finally crossed the border to the US at Van Buren. A tiny crossing but with a serious set of border agents. It was the first time we were searched and it was helpful for the most part since they cleaned our fridge out. They unfortunately took the 4 eggs that we had since Minnesota. I guess Avian Flu may still be an issue. We got to keep our apples from Minnesota though. I would have appreciated her taking the trash in the bathroom, but no such luck.

As we entered the US a big fucking sign for the current occupant of the White House  greeted us. How unneighborly for the people of Northern Maine to greet the Canadians with such an "in your face" insult. Not impressed. Apologies to our neighbors to the north.

it was getting dark and we still had almost an hour to go. We arrived at our Harvest Host site New England Outdoor Center after dark. It was completely empty. We were all alone in the quiet woods. Tad got a quick walk and almost made a friend of the black and white kind. Close encounter.