Quebec City

Quebec City is a fanastastic place to be in the summer. I feel like I must have flown to Europe, I'm walking around with a big grin on my face all the time. I ended up staying at a B&B right inside the old city walls, 1 block from the Chateau Frontenac. It's called Auberge St Louis; it's an old historical place full of character with not a single square corner or level floor anymore. The staircase up to the 4th floor leans sideways and there is a deep dip in the hallway on the way to my room.


The people at the Petro-T aviation gas station helped me find this place. All along our route, we've found that the FBOs (Fixed Base Operators, like fuel stations) are extremely helpful. They usually have airconditioned lounges for pilots to take a break, with fast internet terminals. Much better than the dial-up weather terminals that NavCanada provides. The FBOs really go out of their way to assist with taxi and accomodation, and usually provide free overnight parking if you buy fuel.

After checking in, I roamed around the city taking photos. I've uploaded them to www.nymble.ca/photos ; lots of sidewalk cafes and lots of people wandering around. It's very very hot and humid here; over 40 degrees with the humidex. It felt hottest after sunset; just dripping. But today it is cloudy with a few showers and rumbling thunder.

I did meet up with my 2nd cousin around dinner time. We went for dinner at an outdoor cafe, then wandered around. It's festival season in Quebec; this week it's Les Fetes de la Nouveaux France. Lots of people wandering around in period costumes (tourists included), with music, displays, wine tasting, food stalls, and just generally a good time.

Overnight about 5am there was a terrific thunderstorm; lightning, huge peels of thunder and a heavy downpour. There is still a bit of thunder now, and some light showers, but it looks like it may stop soon.

I've decided this is the end of the travel eastward. I will turnaround Sunday, but I'll have to be careful about fuel stops for Sunday & Monday, as Monday is a stat holiday in Ontario. Lots of smaller airports don't have fuel on the weekends or holidays, or charge a hefty call-out fee (The Wawa airport had a posted notice of $100 for a call-out).

It's supposed to start clearing tomorrow. I hope to do a flightseeing tour over the old city and nearby with my cousins, and then get prepared to start the return trip. Pete is hoping to meet back up with me in Thunder Bay or Winnipeg; it will make it much easier to have a second pilot in the plane.

Today, Matthew, my 2nd cousin is working (as a tour guide in Cathedral of the Holy Trinity) and his dad just arrived back from BC on a red-eye flight. I've just moved my stuff over to their place, which is about 5 blocks from where I was (still inside the old city walls). They have a 1862 house with all the character that you'd expect. I plan to wander around the festival today, soaking up the local sights. Hope I don't need an umbrella.


Oh yeah, the Ottawa to Montreal GPS track breadcrumbs can be found here: GPS-Ottawa-Quebec