Quebec City - August 1996

F'Sebel wanted to go to France. I wanted to take a lenghty motorcycle trip. My offer at a comprmise - French Quebec. The best of both worlds I told her. Some think I got the best of the deal.

We left Minneapolis on Saturday morning and headed northeast through Wisconsin and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After a 500 mile day finally reached the border with Canada.

We stayed over-night in Sault Sainte Marie overlooking the locks between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The next morning we found these bears fishing in the lake.

Driving though Ontario was exciting - mostly two lane highway with lots of built-in passing lanes. After another 500 miles in the saddle we arrived in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. We took a short tour of the city where I stood guard at the Prime Minister's house.

We stayed in Ottawa long enough to watch the changing of the guard at Parliament. Our minds raced back to 1971 when we saw the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace in London.

We headed for Montreal. Belli was so excited about getting into Quebec that he took the first gravel road that crossed the border.

In Montreal we headed for the old city so S'bel could have her first taste of French cuisine on the boulevard at a sidewalk cafe.

The waterfront was wonderful with its wide cobble stoned streets lined with flowers and stately old buildings.

But Monteal could not hold a candle to QUEBEC CITY which is without question the jewel in the crown of Canada. Within the walls of the old city it is like being in a small neighborhood of Paris. Stone buildings line the narrow cobble stoned streets and we heard the familiar clippity klop of horse drawn carriages. Quebec, the only walled city in North America, reminded us of our many travels in Europe when Belli was in the army stationed in Germany.

The beautiful massive Parliament building stands just outside the walled city.

The statue of Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec city in 1608, overlooks the narrow Fleuve Saint Laurent. It is easy to appreciate how this city, located at a narrowing of the Saint-Laurent, at one time dominated of all commerce into the interior of the "new world".

The Chateau Frontenac is without question the dominating structure within the walls of the city. It can be seen from every location. We stopped frequently to take pictures from different views.

Quebec City, like Ottawa, has a changing of the guard within the confines of the walled Citadelle.

The Royal Regiment stationed in Quebec is the only French speaking military unit in the Commonwealth. The Royal goat plays a prominent part in the pagentry of the changing of the guard.

The big black bear skin hats worn by the guard are not only heavy but very warm in the summer sun.

We naturally took the opportunity to have our picture taken with the guard standing outside the gates to the Citadelle.

French rule of Canada ended In 1759 when British forces, under the command of General James Wolfe, defeated the French forces, under the command of the Marquis de Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham just outside the walls of the citadelle. Both Wolfe and Montcalm received mortal wounds during the battle. North American history comes alive as you walk through this lovely, and most friendly, city. It has not been without some struggle that the French culture has been allowed to flurish. Even though the Citadelle is located on the heights above the city, the towers of the Chateau Frontenac appear to rise to the sky out of empty space.

S'bel's greatest joy, however, was to taste the French cuisine. We walked along the Grande Allee and had our choice of numerous sidewalk cafes. The first night we ate dinner under the stars. The next morning we ate breakfast in the warm sun.

Below the walled city, on the waterfront, is the location of the original city, the Place-Royale. The narrow streets of the Quartier Petit-Champlain are filled with flowers and shops.Below the walled city, on the waterfront, is the location of the original city, the Place-Royale. The narrow streets of the Quartier Petit-Champlain are filled with flowers and shops.

Naturally, we had to have lunch.

Time and time again we stopped to take photographs of the historic walled city.

The weather was warm and wonderful, except for day we left Quebec City for our trip home through Toronto, Detroit, and Chicago.

We rode over 400 kilometers in the heaviest of downpours. Even though our new rain suits leaked it didn't damper our memories of this most wonderful vacation. If you would like more information about our trip feel free to write to Belli.

I encourage you to add Quebec City to your "Must See and Do List".For more information you can go to the Home Page of Quebec City - Ville de Quebec.

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