More of 132

       



        We are now south of Quebec having followed 132 and the St. Lawrence southwest.  The last few days show how much variation can be observed within 100 miles and a few hours.  We left our campground just south of Rimouski yesterday morning.  It was very cold - 40s and the wind was blowing hard, the sky grey, the water choppy.  Our campground was filled with French families who made their campers into permanent summer getaway spots.  Most had flowers planted and large wood burning stoves outside.  Now, in the cold, they are bundled in fleece and down, laughing and talking in groups.  Yesterday, they promenaded along the waterfront.   Still, some couples and dog walkers stroll along quickly.  I'm thinking "Winter, let's get south fast!"

Quebec, On the Saint Lawrence

We head off along the St. Lawrence to Quebec and are soon greeted by sunshine as the clouds clear and the winds die down.  Sun is sparkling off the St. Lawrence River.  It is warming.  It's Sunday and as we pass through villages, we notice many specialty shops, farm stands, restaurants, and galleries.  When we stop at a rest stop/scenic overview, we see that people have stopped here for picnics - drinking wine and eating their lunch. It seems that they are enjoying their Sunday drive along 132.

Stop along the St. Lawrence in Quebec

As we drive along, Neal and I discuss how much we like Canada and what living here might be like.  It seems so pleasant.  But it is out of any serious consideration as a place to live.  As much as we love it,  it's so far away from everything and everybody we know.   I mused, if I had to escape something, it would be good for that!  But I have nothing to escape.  In fact, I am eager to return to the US, longing for my home country.  Probably, French speaking Canada has heightened that sense a bit.  The language barrier makes things harder and the French Canadians are more reserved and sometimes unfriendly.

We move along.  We have been avoiding cities because they are not especially kid or RV friendly.  That will have to wait for another trip.  We bi-pass Quebec and travel over beautiful hilly farmland punctuated by large steepled churches.  Lots of cows and dairies around here. We find a small campground right off 132 on the water.  It feels like it couldn't be the same river we were on just that morning.  It's calm, and much narrower.  Much warmer here - it feels as if we've gone from Winter to Summer again. We see houses and lights from the other side.  Enormous tankers come floating up and down the river here, just hundreds of feet away from us and our camper.  I'm hearing music coming from the one passing now and as I look out  I am seeing it is a cruise ship!  I suppose one could make an evening of just watching the ships pass by.  The huge tankers make a low pitched hum as they pass.  I lie in bed watching their lights go by or listen to their deep hum.

Sunset on the St. Lawrence

If you are wondering what we are doing on the days we don't travel, it's laundry.  Walking with bags of clothes and "loonies," to the laundry room, then back to the RV for folding, and putting away.  Then cleaning and lessons for Gwen.  Then cooking.  That's how we spend much of our stationary time. But we are doing this in beautiful places and having some fun and relaxing experiences as we drive to find new places where we do these things again.

Well, I don't hear the music from the cruise ship any longer. Tomorrow, we will probably drive to just past Montreal and then back into the States the day after that.  I'll miss Canada but will be glad to be home.  More pictures to come.