June 19 & 20 ::: To Cap-a-l'Aigle and Tadoussac

Leaving Quebec City SONATA took the North Channel and passed by the Montmorency Falls which are some 250 high, higher than Niagara Falls by nearly 100 feet.



SONATA is back in the shipping channel after clearling the East end of Orleans Island.


Just before we reach Cap-a-l'Aigle we enjoy another beautiful sunset with the sun sinking behind the Northern shore of the St. Lawrence River.



Bonnie made still another stunning entry into the marina. She had to enter from the river heading directly into the long pier, then make a right, starboard, turn parallel to the pier into the basin. Not appearing on the Google Earth shot, there was a large sail boat on her starboard side, and two other sail boats on her port side. She entered the basin, gently turned SONATA 360 degrees and then carefully placed SONATA alongside the long pier, starboard side too. The spectators and boaters assisting enjoyed the excellent ship-handling. One assisting boater asked if she might have a sister with the same skills that he could seek.






SONATA departed Cap-a-l'Aigle and started its journey to Tadoussac. The seas were not calm, and only got worse as the trip proceeded (how many times have we said we will avoid rough water?). There are no pictures of the rough seas, everyone was holding on. Taylor can tell you how rough it was, she and Bonnie were in the after berth hanging on. Charlie on the bridge driving and keeping it all-together . . . a long trip. The end of the day placed SONATA alongside the pier in Tadoussac and two fellows on a sail boat, boat behind SONATA in Cap-a-l'Aigle, joined us for a drink after the long hours on the sea. Jack Vanderloo and his friend Charlie Nixon . . . who grew up for a while in Virginia Beach.


SONATA alongside the pier with Southern Cross, Jack's boat, behind us.

June 14 - 19 ::: Quebec City

Our view of Quebec City from SONATA in the marina.


Quebec City is the only place in North America to have retained so much of its European heritage. History is revealed on our walk through old narrow picturesque cobbled streets.





The Chateau Frontenac, built in 1893, is the symbol of the city.


On a ninety minute tour of the old city, Israel, our tour guide, explains that because of its perfect location, Quebec City was a major battleground between France and England in their fight for control of the new land of North America.


The tour took us up high atop the walls of the old city and to the northeast we could see the route we would be traveling when we proceed down the river toward Tadoussac.


On our way back to SONATA after the tour we stopped at the Cafe du Monde for a little lunch.


Lunch was enjoyed outside where we could view the river.


Passing closest to us is a "laker" going up river and on the other side of the laker is a freighter downbound headed for sea, the Atlantic.


SONATA in the Louise Basin across from the marina office and the fuel piers. SONATA is waiting for her turn at the fuel pump . . . diesel by the liter at $0.98 per liter and will take on over 830 liters before departure.


After many months of emails back and forth we meet our first Down East Loopers, Les and Judy Emery from Hudson, Florida, on board their vessel, VOYAGER II.


Departure from the lock separating the inside and the outside Louise Basin at Quebec City, gives SONATA a new look at the ajoining St. Lawrence and a freighter just passing the basin's opening. Next stop for SONATA will be, Cap-a-l'Aigle some 70 miles down the river.

June 14 - 16 ::: Montreal to Quebec City

Our Montreal Marina as we depart and proceed down river. It was interesting that there are very few boats there on a permanent basis . . . On Friday afternoon the marina begins to fill, and by sunset it is full. Sunday afternoon, everyone goes home and the next week the marina is near empty. What a show, so many wonderful people to talk with. Some could only speak French . . . we talked anyway. A terrific time.


Story has it that traveling down the river to Quebec before electronic navigation one would count the spires along the side of the river. There are many. The clear sky, calm winds, and boost behind us (11.7 kts) makes for a great trip and beautiful scenery.


BUTTERFLY, our new friends from South Carolina. They passed us going down river . . . they are on their way to Sorel and to Lake Champlain. We saw another boat, departing Sorel on its way to Montreal . . . a LOOPER . . . but we were unable to catch their name . . . something like "...Till...".



There are many ships on the river, big ships and little boats speeding around. Saw a "scary" today. Just as we came through Sorel-Tracy 2-5 feet off the port bow I saw something round, black. It was a 55 gallon drum in vertical position, floating awash, just below the surface of the water. I am glad we saw it, even more glad that we missed it. It would have done a job on the shafts and props.


During the passage from Montreal and Quebec we passed many ships. This one becamed named "Barbara's Ship" for Charlie was on the phone with his sister and . . . had to hang up . . . so he could "miss" the oncoming vessel.



As said before, count the spires . . . this is only a portion of the ones that we have seen from the river.


The bridge over the St. Lawrence just west of Quebec City.



Large of the Quebec landscape is the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Construction was begun in 1893 and completed in 1924.


After entering the Bassin Louise we paused for the Lockmaster to ready the lock. Now exiting the lock into the marina basin, the Old Port Quebec, and off to our berth assignment.


A Google Earth picture of our location in Quebec City.

June 1 - 14 ::: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Our priceless bikes. They are parked at the Atwater Market which is about three miles west of our marina location.



Just a little lunch selection.


The produce available is terrific and the prices are comparable with what we would pay in Virginia.


Plenty of beautiful flowers.


A new food, FIDDLE HEADS. Boil for about 10 minutes, then place in the skillet for a few minutes with some oil and garlic. Terrific!!


An abundance of fruit for the taking. Great market!


But then, before we return to SONATA there must be a desert.


Surprise, Surprise! We returned to SONATA and after a short period of time there were shouts from the dock. Michel and Carole Mailloux noticed our LOOPER flag. The had their boat out for the first time this year, EMOTION3, and were visiting the marina we were in. They came aboard and we had a wonderful visit talking about the LOOP and on the water experiences. They are starting the LOOP at the end of the month. There are only three others in the Quebec providence that have experienced the LOOP. Michel and Carole met other LOOPERS in about 2003 and have wanted to make the trip ever since . . . now they will.


The very next day we had another surprise. David and Anne Scott from Fredricksburg, Virginia, aboard TRAVELLER are making the LOOP. Another great evening of "boat-talk" and LOOP experiences.


Cirque Du Soleil is here and waiting for Granddaughter Taylor's arrival . . . we will attend the show on Friday afternoon. More about this later.


In the mean time, SONATA waits in the Marina Port d'Escale in Jacques Cartier Basin with Old Montreal in the background.


Bonnie and Taylor arrived late Thursday evening . . . now Friday morning and we are off for breakfast, or lunch with Bonnie and Taylor biking down the pier to leave the marina.


Off the pier, across the railroad tracks, the street . . . now up the hill to eat.


We are now ready for breakfast . . . lunch . . . whatever you want to call it.


A ten page menu . . . so many decisions . . . .


Do you think she is having a good time?


Taylor and her mime.





Montreal Notre-Dame.


Time to leave Montreal and saying good-bye is bitter sweet. Two more of Charlie's girls. On his right is Sarah . . . she was so very helpful to us, where to go, what to do. What a wonderful stay at Port D'Escale!