L’automne 2024: Quest Begins: Quebec City, QC

So much to cover, so little time. It’s been a while since our last “official” van life trip. Like a the great bloggers, sometimes you need to take a bit of a break. But, I’m not a great blogger, I was just doing other stuff.

This year’s mission is to celebrate the fall by revisiting Tadoussac, QC where, hopefully, we will see some whales, eat some pastries and bread and fromage with our berets perfectly askew.

We set out at 0912 on a beautiful, sunny day. Oddly, as we passed our neighbour’s house, we noticed their van was moving. Weird. Wonder where they are headed. Down the road we go. East on Highway 43, south on 31 and then east on the 401. Van still following. As we approach Montreal we notice that they made the turn south as we headed east on highway 40 right through Montreal. Ok, that was interesting. I texted Tony to ask where they were going. But no response. Through Montreal and headed towards Quebec City, we made a stop at a rest area in the median of the highway. A bit of a maze but we find a quiet spot, have a quick lunch and hit the road.

Next stop was the Fromagerie des Grondines about 30 minutes past Trois Rivieres. Mrs Milddogs and I had a nice look around while I observed there was nothing that appealed to my mild cheddar / mozzarella taste in cheese. As I looked out at the parking lot I noticed a van approaching. Could it be? Yes, It’s Tony and Barb. We all shopped together for fancy cheese for a few minutes and then hit the road.

To Quebec City we go! We made our first stop for fuel just before Quebec City. Somehow we averaged 12.51 l/100km. That was pretty good!

We followed the GPS straight to the Quebec City harbour parking lot were we will “camp” for the next few nights (we hope). We were here a few years ago and it had far fewer campers in residence on that trip. We pulled in nose first and then Tony and Barb backed in so we were door to door making our own little courtyard. OK, despite the earlier text, we have planned at least the first 2 stops of the trip with Tony and Barb. Maybe they will blog over at: https://ourviewfromtheroad.blog/

We settled into our parking lot spots (oh, it’s $75 per night here) and then walked up the hill into the old city in search of a cafe. Please have Coors Light on tap! Please have Coors Light on tap! After about 1.7km of aimless wandering (I was navigating) we ended up across from the Chateau Frontenac at a place called 1640. I believe the name is a reference to something.

I took a picture of us, but can’t upload it for some reason.

They did not have Coors Light. I was sad. I had a Heineken instead.

We walked around Chateau Frontenac after what we ended up calling dinner. A 20 ounce beer meant I had limited time to get back to the van before the bladder said run. There was a stop that involved ice cream which was apparently the best ever. As we approached our parking lot we passed many more cafes closer to “home”. Shall we try them tomorrow?

One bit of pleasantry when we returned from our outing. I noticed our toilet was not sealing. A seal is important as the water above the seal, seals out odours. If the seal doesn’t hold water, the water doesn’t hold the odours and well, that’s just not nice. I donned a glove, grabbed the lube and had a go at it. Definitely not the most pleasant job to do, but an important one.

Tomorrow’s missions:
-get pastries and bread
-eat pastries and bread
-regret eating all of the pastries and bread
-walk around the old city
-buy more pastries and bread
-sit at a cafe that has Coors Light
-remember to pay for the next day of camp/parking

My mother asked me if a Boulangerie was part of the red light district. I don’t know what to make of that question.