• Michael Hartberger
  • Michael Hartberger

Hartberger RV 2024-2025

2yr RV trip across the US and Canada Lue lisää
  • Winnipeg MB (June 20-22)

    20. kesäkuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    As we traveled East across Canada, we stopped in Winnipeg, Manitoba for a few days. The reason is that Michael’s mother and father resided here for the last stint of his father’s long and successful career at Unisys.

    What we most enjoyed about the city was actually on the outskirts of the city, not necessarily downtown (our opinion is there is a lot of opportunity for the city to upgrade).

    Fun fact, Winnipeg means “muddy water” which makes sense since the Red River runs through it and is indeed muddy 😁

    A few things that we liked:

    Canadian Museum of Human Rights. A cool modern building that stands out amongst the backdrop of the city. It is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration, and future of human rights.

    The Fork Area has a market with lots of restaurants along the river.

    Assiniboine Park, which size-wise is compared to Central Park. Winding trails, wide-open green spaces, and breathtaking gardens encourage people to get outdoors! My fav part was the English Garden area 🪷🌺🌹🪻🌼🌿

    Fort Gibraltar was closed BUT outside the fort was the “We dream of flying canoes” structure that was sooo cool. It’s hand-carved from a single Dutch Elm tree. Giving homage to the French
    Canadian Fur traders.

    Manitoba legislative building reminds me of European structures. The neoclassical, Beaux-Arts-style building was completed in 1920.
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  • Centre of Canada

    24. kesäkuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    If you’re travelling from East to West along Highway 1, you’ll enter Manitoba from Ontario driving through beautiful forested Canadian Shield before suddenly encountering our flat Prairie farmland. It’s quite the dramatic change and somewhere between the turnoff to Steinbach and the city of Winnipeg you’ll cross from Eastern Canada to Western Canada. Technically speaking, Steinbach is in Eastern Canada and Winnipeg is in the west… barely.


    It’s not without some controversy, however. This spot is the longitudinal centre (Centre - Canadian/UK spelling) and the only spot that’s actually on the famous Trans-Canada Highway. If you try to find a centre that intersects both longitudinally and latitudinally you’ll have to go somewhere a bit more remote… like Nunavut.
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  • Manistique, MI

    26. kesäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    NOTE: Crossed into the US with no issues. Border Agent was very nice and spent a few mins chatting.

    As we continue our adventures, we visit all different types of RV Parks and we will say that in Manistique, MI we found a great location. It is right on Lake Michigan. From our door, we only walked 30 steps and bam we were at the beach with the waves 🌊 bring the water to us. Yes, a lake that had waves. Westen got to swim in another body of water!

    Down the road is the Seul Choix Pointe Light Station.

    This underrated Upper Peninsula gem sits along the shores of Lake Michigan, still active as a navigational tool for boats to this day. When you visit, you’ll immediately be struck by the light’s splendor.

    This location is the only harbor of refuge along a treacherous stretch of coast. Its French name is "only choice", suggesting that it was used as a refuge by the early French traders in this area.

    It is open to the public and tours are available (including climbing the tower which is 98 steps 😁), which is "relatively rare for an active aid to navigation."
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  • FP update 6/29 Leland, MI

    29. kesäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    FP update 6/29 Leland, MI

    Michigan has quite a few waterfront towns along Lake Michigan. We visited a few and Leland was one of our favs. It’s a Historic waterfront village with a quaint atmosphere that features unique shops, local cuisine, and a fishing town heritage. It is quite picturesque with a waterfall right on the docks.Lue lisää

  • FP 7/2 Mackinac City, MI

    2. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    FP 7/2 Mackinac City, MI

    Fun factoid - Mackinac Island, which you get to by taking a Ferry ⛴️ from Mackinaw City, and even though they are pronounced the same, they are spelled differently 🤔. I asked a few locals why this was the case🤷‍♀️Mackinac is French (which at one point they had ownership of) and figured whoever founded Mackinaw city wanted to be different or have British influence.

    We visited Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw city which is known as Fort Michilimackinac. An 18th-century French, and later British, fort and trading post at the Straits of Mackinac; it was built on the northern tip of the lower peninsula of the present-day state of Michigan. Built around 1715, and abandoned in 1783, it was key to trade because of its location along the Straits, which connect Lake Huron and Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. It is preserved as an open-air historical museum, with several reconstructed wooden buildings and a palisade, and is now part of Fort Michilimackinac State Park. Also, currently a geological dig is going on at the property.
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  • FP 7/3 Mackinac Island, MI

    3. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    FP 7/3 Mackinac Island, MI

    A few years ago, my sister and husband visited Mackinac Island and just raved about it. We took the ferry over (only way to get there) to see what it was all about.

    The 8-mile Island (in circumference) is thickly forested, with no cars (only a few – Ambulance and Fire Truck) and is located on Lake Huron. It is a throwback to the old-timey seaside leisure with a quaint downtown. We took a tour of the Island on one of the only 2 forms of transportation available- horse carriage (other option is bike). Some fun facts we learned: (*) The Island has the largest concentration of Lilacs which bloom in September, (*) One-of-a-kind golf course. For the last 9 holes you must take a horse and buggy to get to complete your game of 18 and it takes 30 minutes by 🐴, (*) 500 permanent residents, (*) Known for world-famous homemade fudge …13 fudge shops, and (*) a beautiful State Park in the middle of the Island. We Hiked up to Fort Holmes, the highest point on the Island, where you get an awesome perspective of the beauty of the Island. I was impressed with the amazing flowers everywhere. In front of houses and store fronts! Everywhere you turned which helped distract from all the 🐴 💩 😁Thanks to Melissa for recommending 👍🏻Lue lisää

  • FP update 7/6 Crystal River Kayaking and

    6. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    FP update 7/6 Crystal River Kayaking and 7/7 Sleeping Bear Dunes Climb

    Crystal River Kayak - A few miles down from where we are staying, we took a 2.5 hr leisurely kayak excursion down the Crystal River. The water was shallow, and the scenery was beautiful but we (meaning Michael) had to maneuver skillfully through a lot of fallen trees. He did a fine job. Westen of course enjoyed the water. My favorite part was all the water lilies🌺 and 🐸 we could hear. Just a chill day while on the road discovering a beautiful area. Loving Michigan UP 😃

    Sleeping Bear Dunes - We decided to take on Sleeping Bear Dunes early in the morning when it was still cool which was a great decision because parts of the climb can be strenuous. But we conquered and the views were worth it. 🤩 It is miles of sand beach, with bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan. The High dunes afford spectacular views across the lake. Bottom line, Dune Climb offers plenty of pure, wind-blown sand for your climbing pleasure.

    Inspiration Point - In Michael’s research of the Empire, MI area we have been staying at he stumbled upon what they referred to as “Inspiration Point “. You get a great view of two Lakes. Lake glen and behind that Lake Michigan. BONUS VIEW!!
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  • FP update 7/9 Canadian Border Crossing

    9. heinäkuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    FP update 7/9 Canadian Border Crossing

    Well, another interesting Canadian border crossing. We left the US from Port Huron over the bridge into Port Edward. That was fun due to all the construction going on (see pics). Got to the Canadian Customs booths and realized that I might not fit through their inspection lane. I pulled up just in front of the booth and realized that I was going to clip one (or both) of my mirrors. I got out of the rig to check clearances and suddenly, the border agent started yelling at me to get in the RV. I asked if I could take a moment to size up my entry and he then yelled NO! I said to him that I only have about an inch on each side and didn’t want to damage the rig. Once again, he yelled to get back in the RV. I readjusted my position very slowly and made it to his booth. I guess I pissed him off since he was just plain rude during our brief interaction. I was free to go, so I just inched forward to leave and then bam…scratched the driver’s side mirror on his booth.

    Once again, another great experience with Canadian Customs….ugh.
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  • FP 7/10 Niagara-on-the-Lake

    10. heinäkuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    FP 7/10 Niagara-on-the-Lake

    We visited this quaint town in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the Niagara Peninsula at the point where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario, across the river from New York. Niagara-on-the-Lake is in the Niagara region of Ontario and is the only town in Canada that has a Lord mayor because of its role as the first capital of “Upper Canada”. It has colonial style buildings, and we would suggest staying there if visiting Niagara Falls, which is only about 20 minutes away.

    When you go you must visit Budapest Bakeshop. Michael claims it is one of the best sandwiches he has ever had. It’s all about the chimney cake which is a bread whose origins go back 300 years. I likened it to a croissant 🤤 A bakery experience is like no other in the world!
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  • FP update 7/11 Niagara Power Station, Ni

    11. heinäkuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ 🌩️ 24 °C

    FP update 7/11 Niagara Power Station, Niagara Falls, and Whirlpool Aero Car

    Niagara Falls - We visited the famous Falls on the CAD side! We give the Falls 2 👍🏻! They are magnificent and fun because the water is regulated and only at 50% capacity during the day and drops to 25% at night.

    Niagara Power Station - We visited the newest attraction (opened fully in 2022). It has so much to offer from the history of the power plant and water station to the inventions from Tesla (not Musk 😆) and Westinghouse. The highlight being the underground tunnel (take an elevator to get there) that leads us RIGHT TO the base of Niagara Falls which we would say is an awesome view of the Falls! We walked through the power plant and listened to the virtual voice guide (which is included in the price of your entry!!). The underground tunnel is such an amazing and unique experience! We would come back anytime to visit this location.

    Whirlpool Aero Car - We hopped on the historic Whirlpool Aero Car for an unforgettable ride over the vibrant, teal-colored waters of the Niagara River. Spectacular views of the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the river’s Class 6 rapids as you soar 3,500 feet across the Niagara Gorge. Although it travels between two points on the Canadian shore, this antique cable car takes you across the international border between Canada and the United States a total of four times due to the way the river elbows. No passport Needed, just amazing surroundings 🤩
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  • FP update 7/13 Watkins Glen State Park &

    13. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    FP update 7/13 Watkins Glen State Park & Corning Museum of Glass

    If you are into professional racing, you know Walkins Glen because of the International Speedway, but who knew, we discovered one of the most beautiful parks we have ever been to - Watkins Glen State Park. It’s a natural wonder and should be added to your bucket list if ever in upstate NY! The Gorge Trail is a natural wonder located in Upstate New York, about 250 miles from New York City (Watkins Glen). The highlights are the 19 waterfalls that cascade down the stream and rock formations—you'll want to take your time exploring them along the hiking trails on offer. On the trail (mainly stairs) you even get to walk under a waterfall. It’s beauty that has been thousands of years in the making 🥰

    On a weather-related note, the last few days we were hit with tornado strength winds at the RV park and had to switch on the generator for 2 days. No big deal on our end, since it fully powers the RV. It was a big deal for someone a few sites down….tree fell and flattened their car. We left the park early after they couldn’t confirm when the power would be back on.
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  • FP 7/13 Corning Museum of Glass Corning

    13. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Corning Museum of Glass Corning, New York - Dedicated to the art, history, and science of glass. Exquisite Displays of Glass! EVERYTHING GLASS. The museum is spectacular. Anything you want to know about glass is there. A wonderful exhibit on the history of glass and wine. It’s an interactive museum with glass blowing and working demonstrations, unbelievably beautiful art works made of glass, to historical artifacts of glass. We watched a glass blowing demonstration, it was amazing to see the skill of the team. Could spend all day at the museum…. I said a few times, a lot of Glass and a lot of information 😁 more than 50,000 glass objects!!!! They run the gamut from Chihuly pieces to Roman glass.Lue lisää

  • FP update 7/21 St. Lawrence River Boatin

    21. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    FP update 7/21 St. Lawrence River Boating (Part 1 of 2)

    We rented a pontoon boat for the day to explore The St. Lawrence River, in the Thousand Island region of New York. Since the river runs along CAD and the US, we can say we traveled to another country by boat😜in a day! The river has many small Islands with single houses everywhere you look-pretty wild!
    Meaning the only way to get to them is by boat. Also was able to tour Millionaire’s Row to view magnificent summer homes of the rich and famous of the gilded age. So many little bays, cute harbor towns and homes on the water and in the water! It was a great relaxing day with gorgeous views 😎
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  • FP update 7/21 Boldt Castle by Boat (Par

    21. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    FP update 7/21 Boldt Castle by Boat (Part 2 of 2)

    Boldt Castle - Is located on Heart Island in the Saint Lawrence River. Originally a private mansion built for American millionaire George Boldt, Proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, it is now maintained by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. In 1900, George Boldt launched an ambitious construction campaign to build a huge masonry structure, one of the largest private homes in the United States at the time. Fun factoids: (*) located on Heart Island and only accessible by boat, (*) Boldt’s never actually lived in the Castle because his wife passed away before completion, then he passed away in 1904 - construction stopped, (*) Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island and the nearby yacht house in 1977,[3]for one dollar, under the agreement that all revenues obtained from the castle operation would be applied towards restoration, (*) It is still being renovated and the top 2 floors are not complete, and (*) They host weddings at the Castle.Lue lisää

  • FP update 7/24 Ottawa, Ontario

    24. heinäkuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    FP update 7/24 Ottawa, Ontario

    Ottawa is Canada’s capital, in the east of southern Ontario. Sitting on the Ottawa River, it has at its center Parliament Hill, with grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada! We walked around the town and the buildings are very lofty and “Old World”😁 a very cool place.

    Rideau canal - We also took a cruise on the world’s first 100% electric cruise ship 🛳️! The canal was built in 1826 (majority dug manually), to help with moving goods from Montreal to Kingston by connecting the St. Lawrence River. It is 125 miles long and 10-15 feet deep. In the winter the canal freezes to create the world’s largest ice rink. Unfortunately, over the last few years the temperature has not gotten cold enough to freeze the water.
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  • FP update 7/25 and 7/26 Lake Placid

    25. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    FP update 7/25 and 7/26 Lake Placid

    Since Michael has been intrigued with the Olympic sport of Curling for a while, we had an opportunity to learn and play in Lake Placid. It was fun and a little harder than we expected. Give those professional Curlers a little more credit 😜

    Next day we visited the Olympic Jumping Complex (1980 Winter Olympics). Like we saw in Park City, UT a few years back, the ski jumping into a pool is pretty wild to watch 😎 🎿 When thinking of Lake Placid the Winter Olympics, you can’t help remembering the Miracle on Ice - US Men’s hockey 🏒 team beat the Soviet Union 💪🏻💜 The facility where this took place is where we did the curling.
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  • FP update 7/28 Fort Ticonderoga, NY

    28. heinäkuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    FP update 7/28 Fort Ticonderoga, NY

    Since we have been visiting portions of North America where the territories were established, we have stumbled upon many military Forts. On this day we visited Fort Ticonderoga, NY!

    We experienced the blend of history and natural beauty. It encompasses 2,000 acres of America’s most historic landscape located on the shores of Lake Champlain and nestled between New York’s Adirondack and Vermont’s Green Mountains. The operations of the Fort spanned centuries, defined a continent, and helped forge a nation. It’s part of North America’s military heritage.

    Fort Ticonderoga is a major historical site that played an important role in the American Revolutionary War. Since then, the star-shaped fort has become an iconic symbol of victory in United States military history and lives on today as a can’t-miss destination for both learning and leisure!

    On the property is a beautiful garden (kings garden), daily re-enactments and even a corn maze.
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  • FP update 8/1 Waterbury-Stowe VT

    1. elokuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    FP update 8/1 Waterbury-Stowe VT

    You can’t come to VT and not visit Ben & Jerry’s where all the deliciousness started. We visited The Flavor Graveyard which is an actual graveyard complete with headstones some of the combos sounded tasty flavors like Peanut Butter Me Up & Mission to Marzipan!

    Thank goodness Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough was not in the cemetery- MY FAVORITE
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  • FP update 8/2 Stowe VT

    2. elokuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    FP update 8/2 Stowe VT

    Of course, we visited the Von Trapp Family Lodge. Amanda is a big Sound Of Music fan….her fav movie so this was a treat. The Lodge is set in a beautiful area outside Stowe. Background- when the Von Trapp family fled to Austria during WW2 they landed in Vermont where they purchased this mountaintop property. The theme is “A little Austria, A lot of Vermont”

    Fun Vermont Factoid: Many Covered Bridges in Vermont …about 104 in the state which is the highest density of bridges. We visited a few of these cool 19th-century structures.

    Since Vermont is known for Syrup, we visited the Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm. A nice lady took the time to talk us through the “Sugaring” process. It begins with Taping the trees. It was a sweet experience

    Finally, we decided to do the Stowe Auto Toll Road - a drive up an actual ski run. It is a zig/zag to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield along the historic Toll Road. We got a stunning view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. The Toll Road up is 4.5 miles of awe-inspiring natural beauty.
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  • FP update 8/3 Montpellier & Barre, VT

    3. elokuuta 2024, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    FP update 8/3 Montpellier & Barre, VT

    We took a walk around Montpelier, the Capital of VT. The Population is a mere 8,500 and it has the smallest State Capitol in the US. Visited A few Graveyards in the area that have very ornate headstones. Like race cars & soccer balls all with intricate details. The majority were made from granite which explains our visit to Rock of Ages.

    Rock Of Ages in Barre, VT - This is where most of the headstones are sculpted. The facility offers a tour of one of the natural wonders of the world. Only here can you witness the largest deep-hole quarry. The size of the quarry and the machines they use to mine the granite is mind-blowing! Only 13 men work in the actual quarry and from the viewing point of the quarry, the men look like ants 😁. The massiveness of this nestled in a small town in Vermont is something! Claims to be the deepest quarry.
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  • FP update 8/7 Montreal, Quebec

    7. elokuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    FP update 8/7 Montreal, Quebec

    Learned quickly if visiting Montreal (figure it will be the case for all of Quebec) if you know French, getting around and communicating will be a lot easier 😜. We decided to take a Walking Tour of the Old City. Our Guide promised to connect us with Montreal, and he sure did. We toured some quaint and cool streets while taking in the vibe and history of the city. The city has many cool restaurants and shops along cobblestone streets. Highly recommend adding it to a bucket list ☺️

    Fun factoids about Montreal & Quebec:
    (*) English is not their first language. French is the only major city in North America that is the case
    (*) On an Island in the St. Lawrence River
    (*) 2nd largest city in Canada
    (*) Females keep their last name when they get married. Kids take mom’s last name.
    (*) Quebec has not signed the Canadian constitution, the only Province that has not
    (*) Montreal is the most expensive city in Canada
    (*) Montreal is known for its bagel 🤷‍♀️ It’s cooked in a wood fire oven and has no salt! Two big differences from NY bagel
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  • FP update 8/8 Notre-Dame Basilica Montre

    8. elokuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    FP update 8/8 Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal, Quebec

    Notre-Dame Basilica is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in the historic Old Montreal district of Montreal.

    Our great tour guide recommended visiting the AURA light show at the Notre Dame Basilica.
    In a nutshell, it is an immersive experience within the heart of the Basilica. You witness the magnificence of the Basilica's neo-Gothic architecture brought to life with lights accompanied by the imposing 7,000-pipe organ. When you arrive in the building in relative darkness, that makes the display even more breathtaking when it starts!
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  • FP update 8/12 St. Joseph’s Oratory of M

    12. elokuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    FP update 8/12 St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal

    On the outskirts of downtown Montreal, sits the magnificent St. Joseph’s Oratory. We took a visit to take in the immense site. Inside you view the carillon to the basilica, through the Votive Chapel and the Tomb of Saint Brother André, founder of Saint Joseph’s Oratory. There is over 100 years of history In this establishment which is the largest catholic shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph.

    In addition to colorful flower beds, the grounds of Saint Joseph’s Oratory offer wide lawns, towering trees, and the exquisite Garden of the Way of the Cross — in sum, a unique place for peace and reflection.

    We would say it is something to explore when visiting Montreal.
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  • FP update 8/15 Quebec City Old Town

    15. elokuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    FP update 8/15 Quebec City Old Town

    THIS IS OUR NEW FAV CITY 💜💜💜. We took the 10-minute ferry ride from Levis over to Quebec City.

    Québec City sits on the Saint Lawrence River in Canada's mostly French-speaking Québec province. Dating to 1608, it has a fortified colonial core. With stone buildings and narrow streets, it is like being in Europe without leaving the continent. Petit Champlain district’s cobblestone streets are lined with bistros and boutiques galore 😊

    There is the lower and upper old town and you can navigate by taking the Funicular. We did and Westen enjoyed the ride rather than many steps in the heat.

    While roaming the streets we stumbled upon three toboggan chutes that were built in 1884 and are still in operation but only in winter.
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  • FP update 8/16 Montmorency Falls & Ile d

    16. elokuuta 2024, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    FP update 8/16 Montmorency Falls & Ile d’orleans

    We traveled North of Quebec City and found a stunning waterfall (Montmorency Falls) that is higher than Niagara Falls. You can Take a cable car to the top for a breathtaking view but unfortunately, it was not working the day we were there 😕 We walked up close to the base of the Falls. So close we felt the power of the water falling and the roar of the water with all its might. We drove to get to the top of the fall and got to see the waterfall from the top as we walked across the bridge. Very cool 😎

    We visited an island east of QC called Ile d’orleans. It was a charming island where we spent the day driving around the entire perimeter. In a nutshell, it is home to wineries and cheese shops. So for this gal, it has all I need 😜 Fromagerie or the cheese shop's 🧀 history on the Island is from 1940 to 1970 there were about 40 families making home-style cheese. There are also quite a few fruit farms. We visited a jam factory where they use only fruit from the island. Tiny strawberry 🍓 was our fav flavor.

    On the Island, we also found a naval yard, the heritage site recalls the long tradition of naval construction in this area (Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent). The Chalouperie Godbout, built in 1837, showcases the craftsmanship of the artisans of the past. The maritime park is a trip back in time to the era of wooden boatbuilding.
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