Sorel-Tracy - Quebec City

June 30

Leaving Chambly there were three "stair step" locks.  This means that lock one opens directly into lock two which opens directly into lock three.  Never Home set up a time lapse video on their boat of us going through.  It is a hoot to watch.

Sorel - Tracy

We cleared the Richelieu in one run from Chambly.  It was a cloudy/smokey/rainy day so we cruised right through.  We were in no hurry so most of the trip was done at ~6 - 7mph.  The boat was on autopilot so Terri and I sat back and relaxed.  No other fool was on the river.  

For no reason other than it was convenient, we stopped at Parc Nautique De Sorel (a marina) for the night.  They put us all the way out on "A" dock and it seemed like it was going to be awful.  I could't have been more wrong and we actually ended up staying an extra day.

First, Terri and I had just done our laundry when we bumped into the crew of Journey (Ali and Keith).  Never Home crew (Atillio and Kathy) quickly joined us and we went to the marina restaurant, Le Belvedere.  WOW, what great food and boy did we "yuk it up".  I was surprised we were not kicked out of the place for all the noise.  Artilio got a steak on what was called a "Stone Oven".

He loved it so much, he went back the next day for the same.

The next day Terri got talking to a neighboring boat of Quebec City locals about good places to dine when we get there.  To thank them, we gave them a small gift and suddenly we were on the "in" with the Quebec crowd.  That night they came over and toured our boat and we then toured theirs (two couples so two boats).  First, one of the ladies brought Haagen-Dazs bars for everyone.  Then, on one of the boats we were served Cappuccino with Bailey's.  Their English was very broken so they would jump between English and French.  It was hilarious. 

Quebec City

From there it was a 110 mile run to Quebec City.  We were cruising with Never Home(Journey headed south to Montreal) and decided to do it in one day.  Never Home is a beast of a Back Cove sporting 1200hp with triplicate Merc 400s on the back.  He decided to light it up to the tune of 35mph.  I ran at a mere 21mph.  This meant a 5+ hour run for us (Never Home was ~3ish).

It was an ugly day with rain and smoke again.  The current, however, was amazing.  For ~90 miles of the journey we were getting a 6 - 7mph push just from the current.  What a hoot.  Eventually it turned against us but by then it was only a short distance to our destination.  

Quebec City is a must for everyone reading this blog.  (Costello, surprise Amy with a micro vacation by hopping in the car and coming here.)   It feels like Europe.  The city is the oldest in North America and is rich with history, architecture and culture.   Our marina is right in the center of town.  You can see the bow of the Shorebilly in this pic. (It is the little one.)

 Here we are with Atillio and Kathy from Never Home having a Champagne toast for being at the farthest north point on our trip.  From here on we are headed south!

Near the marina there is a large industrial complex.  At night they turn it into a city asset by reflecting lights on it to look like the Aurora Borealis.  Really pretty.

And here is the city from our boat.

The next day we just cruised the city walking over 21,000 steps.  It was worth every foot tread.  I will let the pics speak for themselves.

And of course .... BATMAN (No Costello, not the real one)!

We went into Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral.  STUNNING!

Now I don't understand this.  Terri told me that if I went in this door, the trip would be delayed by a month .... what is she talking about????

The beauty of the city went on and on.

At the top of the city is the is the Citadelle of Quebec.  This is the oldest active military installation in Canada and also the second official residence of the Canadian monarch ... who is also the King of England!  I did not realize that the King of England is considered the King of Canada.  

We got there just in time for the changing of the guards.

Around town, the building art was spectacular.

The folks in Quebec city are very proud of the Montmorency Falls claiming it is "taller than Niagara Falls".  We had to see it so we hopped on our scooters with the Never Home crew (they were on e-bikes) and headed out on the 8.5 mile each way journey .... would the scooters do it?  Of course (although we cheated and brought the chargers and gave it some juice while we were there).

 It might be taller, but there is no where near as much water as Niagara Falls

Atillio and Kathy joined us for a fantastic lunch at the top of the falls.  Delicious.  

As we settled into our boat for the evening, we were suddenly surrounded by a dozen locals wanting to talk about our vessels, our trip and us.  We ended up entertaining until 11:30ish.  They were great.  In the conversation, I asked where I could get marine oil to do an head unit change on my engines.  The next day one of the locals showed up and took me to the store in his BMW M8 to get some.  Engines now serviced!

Next we are headed to Montreal.  We have toyed with the idea of heading up the St. Lawrence another 100 miles to a Fjord populated with Whales.   I am pretty sure we are going to pass, but .... who knows what tomorrow will bring!

Stay safe and God bless.

With love

Aubrey and Terri