Read more about the article Mont Royal – Montreal, QC

Mont Royal – Montreal, QC

Montreal isn’t complete without a walk up to Mount Royal Park. Near Magill University, the park takes visitors to breathtaking vistas overlooking the city. Somehow our map system was wrong and we parked in front of an old psychiatric hospital. We walked the grounds and followed a father taking his two kids to the top of the mountain. He said he’d lived there 9 years and hadn’t ever gone to the top. The abandoned Victoria hospital was a bit spooky but to the right side of the building we found a path and jumped on. Because it was getting dusk, we hurried up stairs and more stairs to the top.

Once at the top, there were tons of people! A guy played a piano. A large pavilion sat on the ridge and multiple spectators posed for sunset pictures. On the way back down, we followed the main path which was better marked and led us to a large parking lot at the base of the mountain. Click here for more information about Mont Royal.

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Read more about the article Around Montreal – Pictures
Biosphere at Parc Jean-Drapeau

Around Montreal – Pictures

When we drove in from Quebec City, we drove by Parc Jean Drapeau. The green space consisting of two separate islands was the major focal point of Expo 67. The iconic glass ball is recognizable by many.

The historic downtown is close to the Old Port and waterfront area, teeming with cute shops and quaint restaurants. We had lunch at Creperie Chez Suzette.

We stayed on the northern edge of downtown on Rue Sherbrooke near Magill University and the Musee des Beaux Arts.

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Read more about the article A Day in the Adirondacks – Lake Placid, NY
The top of Whiteface Mountain

A Day in the Adirondacks – Lake Placid, NY

“You’re from the US, but you’re driving a rental car from Quebec?” the border agent asked us.

“Yes – long story but we’re visiting Montreal and missed the US. We’re here just for the day to see the Adirondacks,” my husband replied.  Chuckling, the agent waved us through. Gone were the signs in French. We stopped at a McDonald’s pleased to find the menu in English. After a crowded day in Montreal, we decided to see Lake Placid – just 90 miles south of Montreal.

At the Visitor Center, the agent suggested a gorgeous and scenic drive. It didn’t disappoint. Trees, greenery everywhere – very much like North Georgia but different. More sophisticated? Older?

We took the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway to the summit. For $11 fee (which was worth it) we drove on this road opened by FDR 1936. A stone elevator could take people from the parking lot directly to the observatory, but it wasn’t working that day. No matter. We wanted to take the hike up to the top.

Stumbling on roots and rocks, I didn’t think this would be a fun path. However, mid-way through the path smoothed out (although still climbing). We had gorgeous views of many of the lakes that dotted the Adirondacks. At the top, we did the usual checking out of all the vantage points. But the fun thing was to go inside the stone building that holds a weather center. Inside this small museum was information regarding the dedication of the center and a time-lapse picture of the same view from each day in the previous years. So you could look at the view today, see what it was last March, the previous December, even the previous same day in June to see the changes – from knife-cold snow to brilliant oranges to budding springtime. (more…)