Well, that's a first. It's raining! But we were able to dodge the worst of it and really the rain falling from the sky mingled perfectly with the mist of the waterfalls. Good news, no ponchos were needed for today's adventures.
Found ourselves a local #Jac & Gil (newsagent) and purchased our seniors bus tickets for the day (love a seniors saving!) @Mac had done the research and we were at the bus stop for the 800 Metro bus to deliver us in 40 minutes to the #Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. What a great day - we are loving what #Quebec City has to offer.
These falls are touted as HIGHER than #Niagara - and at 83 metres they are 30 metres taller - however definitely not as wide! I am laughing because all the brochures/ads tout them as higher. Not sure they really should be mentioned in the same breath. Nothing alike.
Nonetheless - the whole park was set up to give you access above, around, beside and over the falls and someone should tell the head honchos they don't need to compare them with those other falls - this was a great experience in its own right.
When we first got off the bus, it took us a little while to "get our eye in." we were above the falls and couldn't quite work out what we were seeing - the reflection in the calm of the Montmorency River was so calm. In this picture it is possible to see the yellow of the "restraining safety cable," the reflection of the over head bridge, the suspension bridge itself and then what appears as the edge of an infinity pool - all with the #St Lawrence and surrounding cross river views.
This spot on the #Montmorency Falls was also the site the #English and #French #Battle of Montmorency which was a prelude skirmish in the #Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Do love it when the pieces fall into place and connections start to be made.
Additionally, it was also the first site of a 1885 installation of a hydropower generating station in #Canada and provided lighting for #Quebec. Today, #Quebec prides itself on the fact that hydro is its total source of energy - no coal, no gas, no nuclear. We could see decommissioned infrastructure on the sides of the falls and you can definitely witness the power of the water as it cascades over this natural formation straight into the #St Lawrence.
The whole area is now fenced and you need a ticket to enter (again, old people get discounts) and once inside there is lots to do. We definitely ruled out ziplining (bet the #Fab5 would have been in on that one) and ferrata. We had no idea what that was until we #Dr Googled - and then we definitely ruled it out. Apparently, it is a hybrid of hiking and rock climbing - you can climb across the adjoining rock face using a harness, metal holds and steel cables (maybe that one was offered FREE to old people) - whatever the cost - we were not buying it.
After a little detour to cross the bridge over the #Boischatel Fault (it runs for 43 kms!) we did take the challenge of the 487 downward trek on the panoramic staircase. And believe it or not by the time we were at the base, we did have jelly legs. There were people coming UP! Almost mind boggling! Anyone on the upward trek was definitely wearing Lycra and carrying a backpack and water bottle. Now that I think about it - I am sure many people were just doing a few flights - going down a couple to a viewing station and then climbing back up that section.
This staircase literally hung off the side of the cliff adjacent to the waterfall. And "panoramic" was the word. There was a conflict for views here - didn't know where to look really: the falls, the river, the city, the island or just the view down the staircase.
Lots of views of the falls on the way down and of course covered in the mist from the falls at the base. And, thankfully, we didn't need to don a poncho - could just pull on our very own wet weather gear. The whole "winter" thing comes into play again and still hard to imagine. But apparently, in winter, the falls continue to cascade but the MIST actually freezes. Day by day and layer by layer, this accumulation of frozen ice grows to create a cone like feature called a "sugar loaf" - it imitates the shape of a sugar loaf cabbage - that reaches 30 metres in height. Now wouldn't that be something to see.
We were very sensible and opted for the #Cable Car rather than the stairs for the return visit. Although it is not a #Peak2Peak experience, this little one car up as one car comes down cable car run provided great views of the falls and of course the river as well as #Quebec City and the #Ile d'Orleans.
Although I am not sure @Mac got to enjoy all of the views. He became a little distracted by a "mark" on the lens of his phone camera which was appearing in his pics. He kept wiping and cleaning the lens with various layers of his clothing as the car crawled up the hill. He finally realised that the offending splotch was actually on the outside of the cable car window. And seemed to be settled ready to snap aways.
Not quite the case. He was the additional, alternate adrenaline rush for the 4 fellow passengers in the car. Each time @Mac moved or turned, there was a loud crunching sound. Everyone in the car averted their attention to where @Mac was standing. Silence. Back to our normal viewing. Then @Mac moved again, and the same crunching sound and this time @Mac was looking down at his feet as if he were checking for cracks in the flooring. Everyone was drawn back to his attention point and we were all wondering if the bottom of the car was disintegrating. Held our collective breath. @Mac risked another move - and as they say "third time lucky" - now that we were all watching - we could see that the crunching sound was coming as the plastic water container in his backpack was squishing up against the rail. Phew, sighs of relief all round and lots of laughter. Not a bad comedic episode for a 5-minute ride. (To add further context here, there was a recent death in #Quebec from a gondola accident where a car plummeted to the ground - so locals were very susceptible to the power of suggestion here!) Please note: gondola photos are from my phone - @Mac was otherwise engaged for the duration.
We did have a couple of tries at food in the park and confess that we had the worst coffee of our #Canadian experience to date while waiting for the #Cable Car but that was countered by a fabulous very late lunch experience at #Montmorency Manor. @Mac thought it must have been approaching Friday, because he jumped on the fish and chips and I had a "just right" sampling plate with three scrumptious choices.
Still a little bit of walking to do after lunch and enjoyed our last views from the suspension bridge over the falls. Crazy views right on top of the falls this time and we had the opportunity to look at all the stages of our traverse of the park.
Over the suspension bridge
There's usually a shortcut ....
Back through the bush for a shortcut back to the bus dodging rainfall, we were able to relax for the easy ride home. The bus dropped us literally at the pedestrian crossing to our #Loft and with some steaming hot Thai soup in hand we were entertained in the evening by the dusk crawl of traffic in the rain.
Had to sort out some finances though. @Mac has been tracking all the security deposits and the one from our first stop in #Montreal was lagging. He fired off a query in within an hour the "apology" came through passing the buck - indicating there had been an issue with #PayPal that they feel they have resolved. Right. Definitely nothing positive appearing at our end - will have to be a follow-up in the morning. This whole security deposit thing has been a little frustrating. Imagine if you are travelling on a shoestring - not sure how you would cover the ongoing stream of "security deposit" charges. The good news is that two out of three venues have returned the $$$$$ so far, so feeling confident can eat out again tomorrow because it is OYSTER day at the TABLE. I haven't forgotten.
Meanwhile in Europe 🇪🇺 with @M&I
Relieved message today to day "Florence for the WIN." They have just arrived and are loving the feel and vibe of the place. More adventures to come.
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