Today we woke up wet. It started sprinkling last night after we made camp, advanced to rain and then became a torrential downpour at 3 am. We woke up with a few minor wet spots ( the tent held up well considering), but striking camp wasn't a whole lot of fun.
From the KOA we took a bus tour of Quebec City. There is a reason they call it the Canadian Paris, it was like we were transported to Europe for the day. The tour wound around the city showing us the walls, Parliament, and both the old city and the financial district. Jean was very happy not to drive on all those crazy tiny streets that went in every direction. We stopped for a half an hour in La Place Royale. Where we purchased some beautiful handmade paper and of course the customary postcards. The Chateau Frontenac was impressive.
Once we got back to Ronda the Rondo, we headed towards New Brunswick. Quebec in general was an adventure because everything was in french. Street signs, gas pumps.... I wasn't sure when I was pressing the button on the pump, if I was going to purchase a pack of Canadian cigarettes or to get the receipt that I wanted. We wanted to stop for lunch, but prior to entering a small restaurant off of the highway Heather made me go in and see if they spoke any English.
Finally we crossed the border into New Brunswick. Hooray English again. And a first for both of us - entering into Atlantic time. It is very weird to be hour later than eastern time. We stopped in Grand Falls, "the largest falls east of Niagara", and when we stopped and saw the falls, we learned that grand doesn't always indicate impressive. The gorge was interesting. It was here as well that we were to learn, that places to sleep for the night were coveted and we were greeted with many no vacancy signs. So we pressed on to Fredericton, following the St. John River. The drive was beautiful, if rainy and cloudy, but we did see the longest covered bridge in the world. We finally settled in for the night at a Days Inn just outside of Fredericton. As it was still raining, and the forecast called for storms, we thought we would give the tent a break.
Today's lesson is while you might be warm and dry inside the tent, trying to take down the tent and remain that way is a different matter.
"Grand Falls"
Quebec
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