Travel - Quebec City - Outside the City

 Thanks again to Gris and Styxy for letting me write about our travels.

On our second day in Quebec City, we hoped in the car and took a short drive east of the city. Our first stop was Montmorency Fall. The falls is known for it's height at 83 meters (272 feet). For comparison Niagara Falls is only 51 meters (167 feet) tall.

We were excited that as Quebec residents we got to pay less to visit. 

Meet Bonhomme Carnaval - the official mascot of Quebec City's winter carnival since 1955. Bonhomme means good man. He is a 7 foot tall, 400 pound snowman dressed like a voyager and he represents the pride and joy of Quebec. 

Because it was hot and we needed to conserve steps, we took the cable car to the top of the falls and then back down. (I would love to go back and climb it). 

View looking down - that bridge is 4 km in length (about 2.64 miles)

We walked the suspension bridge over the falls

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Side view

Looking down

This shows one of the ways to hike down from the falls. 

After our visit to the falls, we got back in the car and drove across the long bridge, pictured above, to the Ile D'Orleans (or Orleans Island).

The island is 34 km long (21.1 m) and 8 km wide (5 mi). It has a population of just over 7000 people and is divided into 6 different parishes. It is an agriculture paradise due to the soil and the climate.It has been used as a place for agriculture for Europeans since about 1661. Before that it was inhabited by the Huron peoples. The road around the island was completed in 1744. It remains a charming little set of communities that don't have the big box stores or other worldwide recognized brands.

We drove around the island, clockwise and here are a few pictures from this adventure. 

Berry bushes

The Man doesn't eat berries, but I very much enjoyed these fresh ones!

At one stop we got to pet a goat

Looking towards the mainland

One of the six parish churches

A different view of the St. Lawrence 

I am not a big drinker, but I do like to try new things, so we stopped at one cidrerie (place that makes cider) for some samples. As Man was driving, he had only the tiniest taste. We came home with 2 of these. 

We also stopped at a vineyard for a little taste. They were ok, and none were purchased.

It was a lovely day of fresh produce and fresh air. We still managed close to 10 000 steps getting in and out of the car and exploring.

Next week, we will be back in the city, and learn a bit about Quebec City's military history.