Max and I managed our way back to Riviere-du-Loup today! I was overcome by the view of the St. Lawrence Seaway this evening…and I thought nothing could be more beautiful OR brighter than a full moon in Prince Edward Island on my final night! Let’s face it, we live in a most magical country! O’ Canada! God keep our Land!
Riviere-du-Loup
Silhouette
Oh my goodness…I headed up the steep hill to see Saint-Patrice first! In the soft fog of morning, it seemed as though the church was suspended up on the hill! I just can not even describe the moment!
Eglise Saint-Patrice
Outside Front Entrance
It was a long enough drive yesterday. I set out early, after sharing a coffee and toast with Dad. I gave Mom a kiss and then Max and I were off. I didn’t sleep much the night before, anticipating the solo drive through Montreal. Apart from the disappointment that Mom and Dad weren’t making the journey with me, this part of the trip was causing me the most anxiety.
In the end, at the rest stop just east of Cornwall, I met a family that was driving home to the other side of Montreal and they offered to guide me through the city on a route that they use all of the time, from the 40, across the Pont Champlain, 15 South, the 30 and then north on the 20. I had originally planned to make my way to the Lafontaine Tunnel, but this ended up being a tremendous relief, having someone guiding me. As they went off on the 30, we waved wildly and bonked horns…so wonderful to bump into a french-speaking woman, her husband and young son…and to have them assist in such a concrete way! About half way across the Pont Champlain, I prayed my gratitude out loud.
The remainder of the day’s drive went really well. I felt so overcome with the beauty of the St. Lawrence River as it stretched out to my left…such a vast expanse of water. The clouds hung heavy, but were so transformed by the intense light, as the sun had moved low to the west. I thought of the artist, Rene Deroin and his connection with this landscape…I thought about painting, belugas, the sacred and poetry. It was a very spiritual experience.
About an hour past Quebec City, the weather changed. The cloud fell down on the dark water and the hills to the right of me. Finally I was wrapped and moving in a blanket of white, fog so thick I had never experienced anything like it! It took us another hour to pull into Riviere-du-Loup. It was raining hard and sitting at about 13 degrees when I pulled into a wee roadside motel. Max was sooo happy and so was I! It was a great little spot, up above an escarpment overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Once settled, a good walk and some degree of wandering, a stop at a french corner store and the yummy little meal that I tried to capture in the photograph below, but can not possibly be explained. An excellent meal! I knew when I closed my eyes that I would be spending the morning wandering this beautiful and historic city.
Riviere-du-Loup Meal