Checkpoint #8 was to visit either walled city of Montreal or Quebec. First of all we didn’t know what was meant by the walled city. Some google searches revealed where we need to go, which was basically old town area.
We went to bed with it raining, and when we woke up, it was still drizzling. After some discussions, and looking at the weather where we needed to go next, we decided to do our documentation for Quebec and then head east as the weather was clearing that way. When we loaded up our bikes, the rain had stopped but it was still very much threating all around us except for a blue patch in the sky. By 8 am we left the hotel to head to Old Town district. Rick maneuvered us through side streets that lead us there in about 20 minutes.
Didn’t really know what to expect as all I have seen was the photos of old brick buildings. As we approached, the grandeur of old town started to appear in the distance. And sure enough, we passed through some old wall and an arched gate area. If it wasn’t for the cars, you swear you stepped back in time looking at these small streets with magnificent buildings made of stone. We pulled over for some photo ops at various areas and then we parked to buy something to get a reciept, which ended up being some coffee.
Looking at the main cathedral building, ones mind wanders on how did they build these in the 17th century with rope and pully and horses. Streets and all are all made with stones. The charm of this town is amazing and one needs to visit this area to take it all in.
It still wasn’t raining, maybe a sprinkle here and there, so the rain worked in our favor as it wasn’t busy here in this tourist town today, and it wasn’t raining now. I finished finished my coffee with a shot of expresso, and Rick and I then left old town to head west for Ottawa. As we left town and found the freeway out, we missed a few cloud burst near us and as we clicked off each mile, the payment became dryer and dryer and within an hour we had dry payment.
The freeway eventually become a two lane road with passing lanes every now and then. Approaching Montreal a 100 miles later we find ourselves on a freeway again and in LA type of traffic with no lane splitting, but we manage to slip through and the sun is now starting to peak out. The road returns to it’s two lane configuration as we continue west to Ottawa. This northern corridor is rather busy with trucks and cars. We we pass and get around some trucks and cars, we can travel at 70ish for awhile, but then we catch up again to slow pokes. The speed in this wide open area is a painful 56 mph (80km) and most truckers and people follow it.
By 2 pm we make it to Ottawa to call it quits and we are back in English speaking territory and when we go out to eat at the local shopping center area, it is nice we can read the menu and communicate with the servers. We get back to our hotel before the evening thunderstorms hit the area and start mapping for the next day.
I was hoping you would go through Quebec, so I could see some pictures. Love the view of the city streets with old brick buildings, and culture still true to its French roots.