East Coastal Drive, Day 25- Quebec and Montreal

Yes, we were out an about by 5:30 am on a Sunday morning. What a difference. Not a soul in sight. Actually, it was a little eerie compared with the crowded streets the day before. Nothing was open but that didn’t matter. I was even able to let the pugs off leash and walk around. Made it easier for taking photos.

There was a wall mural on a building that usually has quite a few people around it. This morning I was able to pose the pugs without obstacles. It is entitled Lyon-France and was done in collaboration with a few artists.

This site is where Samuel de Champlain’s Habitation was. He constructed a series of interconnected buildings when he founded Quebec in 1608. It was a fort and trading post for the colony of New France. The church, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, was built in in the late 17th century. It was named after two French victories over the British. It was destroyed in 1759. However it was rebuilt over the years.

An excavation of an early house,

I wanted to stay longer and soak up the quiet, intense past of the place. But I had pugs to feed (and myself) and we had to get a start on the road to Montreal. We passed our swing friend going back to the hotel.

The street that the hotel is on, Saint-Antoine, was the site of the wharf as mentioned. They have laid stone work in the road to indicate the shoreline. At 1800, it was by the restaurant Chez Muffy’s front door.

The 1600 shoreline is at the end of the hotel at Rue Saint-Pierre.

Saint-Pierre also has a number of art galleries. If I had more time, it would have been refreshing to explore.

I had a reservation for breakfast at 7 am at Chez Muffy, the main restaurant. The place had just opened up and I was the first customer (as usual). The waiter did ask if I had a reservation which seemed odd seeing as how there was nobody else there. Just doing his job. The place, being a one-time warehouse, is all stone and wood beams.

Needed sustenance because I would not be stopping for lunch – latte in a bowl and Eggs Benedict with rosemary sausage.

In the lobby I had a look at some of the artefacts that had been recovered from the dig.

Drove all the way to Montreal, stopping only for pee breaks, water and leg stretch. I was staying at the Delta Marriot near McGill University. In 2017, I stayed near the old section of Montreal Later, we had spent a few days on the east side near the gay village (need to add that to the blog).

But first a very important task. We were scraping the bottom of the kibble barrel. We drove to a Global Pet Foods store that was open on Sunday. They have out treats, I replenished by treat bag and got a bag of their Open Farm kibble. All was now well.

The hotel room was not yet ready so we took a walk into the McGill area. The street was all student housing.

There was little green space around. In fact, there were no parks in the area. Pugs had to settle for little weed patches like on the left.

By the time we got back the room was ready. Pugs were ready for a nap after all that walking. One of the reasons I booked this place was to visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. They had a major Riopelle exhibit happening. When we were here in 2017, our hotel was right across from the Riopelle park

However, I didn’t reserve a ticket and it was sold out. I settled for the permanent collection. This piece, “The Shepherd” by David Altmejd obviously caught my attention.

It was constructed with, well, a lot as you can see. Plywood, polyethylene foam, horsehair, crystals, paint, iron wire, brass wire, glass beads, mirrors. He creates spaces inside objects. So his “Giant” series gives him lots of space to create smaller spaces.

This one, “Beyond Redemption” is by Sault Ste Marie artist Adrian Stimson, a member of the Siksika Nation. It symbolizes the impact of European settlers on the buffalo species. It is an actual taxidermied bison standing on a red base of destruction. Almost willing the buffalo hides back to life. The hides are draped over 10 black crosses.

Most of the restaurants in the area were closed. Even the hotel’s restaurant was closed on the weekend. So I settled for a combo takeout at Sushi Shop.

Loaded Greta and Raisin into the stroller. I knew there would be green space at the McGill campus. The Roddick Gates are the main entrance to the campus. Commissioned in 1925 by Amy Roddick. It was to honour her father Sir Thomas Roddick, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

We walked along the grass, pugs did their thing. Rested at one of the many benches that line the walkway. Went up to the Arts Building and got in front of the memorial garden.

Pugs were happy they finally go to pee on grass (they are fussy that way). Headed back to the hotel. As Greta rolled around on the big bed everyone found their place (next to me as I lay on the edge).

Tomorrow is our last day of adventure. We will be camping at Mont Tremblant provincial park. After that we will be heading back to Toronto.

4 comments

  1. I have so enjoyed your daily captures of your adventures! I’m hoping you will have time to stop again in Perth , if you needed accommodation along the way I have ample space and lots of grass for Peeing Pugs and a pool to cool off in !
    Safe travels !!!

  2. Wonderful!! I enjoyed every day of your and the pug’s adventures!! Have a safe trip home1

  3. You had an amazing trip with your furry companions. Thanks for taking us along. Thoroughly enjoyed your adventures.

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