Day 47 / August 17, 2017 – Montreal, QC to Trois-Rivieres, QC

Even though this is Canada 150, we all know that Canada’s history predates 1867. For one thing, there are thousands of years of First Nations history. In its more recent history, Quebec was the focus for much of Canada’s development. I was able to follow that today on the Route Verte #5. It has been coined “le Chemin du Roi” or “the king’s road”. Today’s route follows a path linking many historic French villages between Montreal and Quebec along the St. Lawrence, many of them dating back to the late 1600s.

I never get sick of seeing the St. Lawrence. I need to be next to the water.

Day 46 / August 16, 2017 – Montreal, QC rest day

If there’s anywhere to take a rest day, it’s Montreal! Last summer, Alex and I both thought that we would move here if Vancouver weren’t our home. There are always things happening and people out. It’s the kind of place that has life. Then again, I’ve only seen Montreal in the summer. Maybe the scene is different in -20 degrees? Somehow I still doubt it.

Sneaking in one more photo of Lachine Canal.

Day 45 / August 15, 2017 – Ottawa, ON to Montreal, QC

I made a huge mistake. Those were the words running through my head most of this morning as I decided to make the long leap from Ottawa to Montreal. The distance was estimated to be around 220 km and there was a band of active weather approaching. This was not a winning combination.

I left the comfort of the Andrews at a reasonable time and under good conditions. You’d never guess that, at that exact moment, Montreal was being pummelled with thunderstorms. It was slow going through the city centre, but there were no surprises there. This is the way it is in most major cities. Ottawa was teeming with tourists (myself included). After snapping some customary photos at Parliament and passing the Byward Market, I connected to the bike path on Sussex Drive, past a long line of embassies and JT’s house. Again no sign of Justin. The path wound its way to the wealthy Rockcliffe neighbourhood. I stayed on the quiet Georges Étienne Cartier “Highway”, a quiet route along the Ottawa River. It was fast moving for me with hardly any vehicular traffic. The day was starting out well.

A rare moment when the bus loads of tourists cleared away from the Canada 150 sign.