Sunday, July 6 to Wednesday July 9

Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC

We spent the first part of the week in Dollard-des-Ormeaux visiting Gail’s family and finalizing preparations for our trip. This included repacking Sleepy Hollow which had been hastily packed in Toronto in order to get out of Toronto as quickly as possible. Did I mention that it was scorching hot (32+ degrees) the last couple of days we spent in Toronto and we had no desire to do much in the van.

Whenever we go to Montreal, Gail has to get her smoked meat fix. Our favourite is Smoke Meat Pete where we took Howard and his family as thanks for letting us camp out in their driveway.

We biked around Centennial Park. We let Laura try out an e-bike for the first time and went to watch her soccer practice in preparation for the Olympiques spéciaux Québec in Granby August 6-10.

Thursday, July 10

Sorel-Tracy

Today we visited Henry’s side of the family in the outskirts of Sorel-Tracy where Edith put on a fine fish dinner with home made appetizers: Sorel-Tracy 1

Friday, July 11

Ile Saint-Ignace

We took the ferry: Sorel-Tracy 2 Sorel-Tracy 5 Sorel-Tracy 1 to Ile Saint-Ignace and e-biked around the whole island: Sorel-Tracy 6

Chenal-du-Moine

For dinner, we joined Edith and her husband Richard at Restaurant Marc Beauchemin Chenal-du-Moine 1 for Gibelotte et filets de perchaude rôtis Chenal-du-Moine 2 a type of fish stew that originated in this restaurant and became popular enough that there now is a Gib Fest held every July in Sorel-Tracy.

Milton-Est

Tonight we boon docked in the parking lot of the Ciderie Milton near Granby where we were treated to a gorgeous sunset over the orchards:

Milton-Est 1

Saturday, July 12

Granby to Waterloo and Back

Today we biked the Artria Cultural Loop, which is:

The flagship loop of the RÉSEAU VÉLO YAMASKA, Artria offers a unique cultural route known as the “open-air museum.” Indeed, about sixty giant works of art are scattered along the circuit to surprise you throughout your journey.

Artria Cultural Loop 1

We admired many of the pieces of interesting art along the way: Artria Cultural Loop 2 Artria Cultural Loop 3 Artria Cultural Loop 4 Artria Cultural Loop 5 Artria Cultural Loop 6 Artria Cultural Loop 7 Artria Cultural Loop 8

Being an old railroad, complete with old signals: Artria Cultural Loop 9

it was very flat: Artria Cultural Loop A

Even with e-bikes, when you maintain 29 kph (see the video), it takes exertion and you need to cool down every now and then:

Artria Cultural Loop B

On the north side, there is a observation tower that offers great views over the Réservoir Choinière:

Artria Cultural Loop C

Artria Cultural Loop D

Artria Cultural Loop E

More to Come

Next week’s blog is available, as well as last week’s, and don’t forget to see where we are right now (updated every ten minutes).