Quebec City Stop 6

We liked Montreal a lot... but I think we liked Quebec City even better!  A bit smaller, more intimate, rolling terrain.  Upon arriving our room was not ready... so we checked our bags and bikes and took off for a walk through the old city.  The city is mostly surrounded by block walls with old towers.  Full of quaint shops and lots of eateries. At the center of old town is the Fairmont Hotel - a former castle (Chateau de Frontenac) built by the Canadian Railway.  It's currently under renovation - and is an impressive structure.

We decided to have an early dinner and take advantage of "early diner specials".  (Starting to worry about spending more than we thought we would.) :)  We ate at an old quaint house  "Aux Anciene Canadians"... both enjoying the local food.

 I had meat pie with fresh veggies.  Lana had meat balls with red beets.  We finished with Maple syrup pie with homemade whip cream!  Amazing!

Lana is now on a hunt for Starbuck's cups with the local city name on the cup.  We did this a number of years ago... but quit when we realized they were just collecting dust.  But Lana now tells me that these cups have a new design... they are stackable!  Thank you Cathy Stephens for getting us on another collection.  :)  Is it really a good reason to start collecting again!?!?  The walk continues... store one - out of cups; store two - out of cups.  Some young man in the 2nd store sensed Lana's disappointment... approached her and told her that he works at Starbucks and would be happy to call some of the other Quebec City stores to try to find one... store three - out of cups; store four - out of cups;  store five - CUPS!!!!  Too far to walk... so he asks if they would be willing to save one for the Murphy's.  We both tell him Thanks... and Lana tells him that his Mother would be proud of him.  He blushes and then joins his girlfriend.


Kyle and Alicia - I wore my Butler hoodie yesterday and was stopped by three people with comments/questions. One guy was from UConn and had to remind me they beat Butler for the 2011 National Title.  :(

On the way back to the hotel... Lana is starting to not feel well.  Sore throat, stuffy nose, congestion.  When we get to the hotel we break out the Chamomile tea, Airborne tablets, zinc oxide and Advil.  We also decide to break open the fresh cranberry juice from Mr Slater's Cranberry Bog!

Thursday morning Lana is feeling a bit better... but we decide to forgo the planned bike ride... and take a car ride around the "Ile D' Orleans... a small island very near Quebec City.  (Surrounded by the St. Lawrence River).  The fall colors are at their peak in this part of Canada.  Beautiful!  The cottage style homes mostly have red roofs, in order to be able to find them in a blizzard.  Lana is ready to purchase one tomorrow.

 Stopped for lunch at a great French Cafe on the water.

Also made stops at a Chocolate Shop, Cheese factory/store and apple cider store to buy a bottle of their local specialty... "iced apple cider", which has quite a large alcohol content to it.  It definitely is not your Tanners variety.   Why is it vacations so center around the food?  The sights have been amazing but the food....oh the food....  Hope we can get back to bike riding soon.