Wrapping Up Our NHS Tours

We started our morning with a long drive out to Manor-Papineau NHS. Louis-Joseph Papineau was a 19th century Canadian politician. HIs house was amazing and restored to near likeness of then his family lived there. The house had some impractical designs like the family living quarters were on the ground floor and the visitors rooms were all upstairs facing the river.

IMG_3325

The house even had a dumbwaiter! This was amazing for the time period. During this time the bottle would prepare the plates for Mr. and Mrs. Papineau and then Mr Papineau would serve all of his guests. He entertained regularly.

IMG_3326

We explore the gardens and fields of the estate. In the storage house we did a puzzle and built towers out of paper.

IMG_3328

IMG_3329

IMG_3330

Our hike around the property was about 3km. We were amazed by all the 200+ year old trees and the cool mushrooms we found growing all over.

IMG_3340

Next, we visited Coteau du Lac NHS. This NHS boasts the FIRST lock in North America. It was a rather short lock to avoid a section of rapids and was only used for a brief amount of time. During the war in 1812 Canada fortified the rivers in preparation for Americans  trying to take the land.

IMG_3342

IMG_3343

The blockhouse still stands and is currently being renovated. We were able to tour inside but no photos were allowed.

IMG_3344

In the visitors center we got to play archeologist and also try our hands at steel and fire-stone. I enjoyed putting the plate together but had no luck with the fire starting!

IMG_3345

We built a model of the blockhouse with the help of a little girl.

IMG_3350

We explored the old canal from above and below.

IMG_3352

Our next and last site of the day was Battle of the Chateauguay NHS. This site was historical because of a battle that took place in 1813 when the Americans, with 3700 troops, tried to attack the Canadian’s, with 300 troops. The Americans gave up and were defeated. This was the last time that the American’s attempted to take Canadian land in the area. We learned how they made musket cartridges. We made ours from paper, string, a gumball and sour powder.

IMG_3356

We had fun doing our Xplorer books and learning about the site.

IMG_3358

Lachine Canal Exploring

Today we drove back to downtown in search of two more Parks Canada National Historic Sites. We eventually found the Fur Trade at Lachine NHS. It was formerly a trade warehouse and now a NHS. We explored different pelts and learned about the business of trade that took place here. We learned that the first people had to portage canoes and supplies that weighed 90lbs a bushel.

IMG_3289

It was neat to learn about the term “As Mad as a hatter”.

IMG_3291

We practices rowing the canoe. We were no where near as fast as the 60 strokes per minute that the natives maintained for 16 hours a day!

IMG_3293

Next we drove down the river to the Lachine Canal lock #3. We had seen lock #5 next to the Fur Trade Site. A boat takes 3-5 hours to pass through the locks. We were off to complete of Xplorer books.

IMG_3295

We stopped for some free Parks Canada air brush tattoos.

IMG_3296

IMG_3316

Exploring lock #3. I found a dime and named it Mr. Dimey! We watched a seagull catch a fish and then drop it. He found it eventually and had his snack. We learned how to tie some knots and about how the canal was used in the past and it’s uses today. They have installed bridges and footpaths over the canal during the time when it wasn’t in use. So now the height clearance is much lower not to mention that the swing bridges don’t operate either.

IMG_3299

We headed back towards a shopping area about 20 minutes from the campsite. We had ice cream at Chocolate Favoris again and then stopped in at a unique pet shop. It was called Safari and each location has a different theme. This one was pirates. They had cats, dogs, fish, birds and SO much more.

IMG_3303

This is part of the sales floor!

IMG_3305

And a photo from the second story of the store. They also had a huge pirate ship that was used for birthday parties, in a pet store!

IMG_3306

IMG_3308

We came back and went swimming. We wonder what the beachballs did wrong?

IMG_3309

IMG_3312

Thunder boomed and the pool closed early. We got showered and I made it back to the motorhome before the rain. Mom and B got stuck at the bathhouse until the rain died down.

 

 

 

 

Busy Day of Historic Sites

After fruit picking we headed out to Fort Lennox NHS. We had to take a boat out to the island. Again, I think this proves we are somewhat hitting the off season. The place was very quiet.

IMG_3255

IMG_3256

IMG_3257

We were able to catch a tour of the fort in English. We were the only 4 on the tour so had lots of time for questions. The young man that was our guide was very knowledgable of the fort and history. We learned bout the casemates and ow they served as both food storage and kitchens. They all had curved roofs to help deflect cannonballs if ever attacked. The building to the right in the photo has gun loopholes that were aesthetic and not functional. They aimed right at the casemates!

IMG_3258

We toured some rooms that were only available via the tour. The barracks house the soldiers. The beds either slept two soldiers head to foot to avoid the spread of lice or the bed could house an entire family! This fort was unique as they allowed more than the standard 6% of soldiers to be married. The guide told us that 30% were married. This was to help fend of deserters. The barracks were locked at night to make sure people didn’t try to desert. Boys who turned 14 either had to leave the fort or joint army. Girls at 14 were web to soldiers or had to leave. The soldiers made about 1 shilling a day.

IMG_3260

We learned the duties of the guards and practiced our abbreviated 50 pace watch. I have decided I don’t want to be a soldier.

IMG_3265

We loaded and fired cannons. (pretend)

IMG_3273

Up next was Canal Chambly NHS. This site is new to the Parcs Canada Explorer program and did not have books of dog tags yet. It was really neat to watch the boats go through the locks. This was much faster than the previous locks we saw.

IMG_3275

It was all done by hand crank to open the overflows and then the gates.

IMG_3280

To travel through this lock currently it is $1.50 a foot length of your vessel.

IMG_3281

We went down the road to Fort Chambly. The fort was nearly completely deteriorated and they rebuilt a structure on the site and preserved a few areas within the new walls of the old fort. The place was crowded. It was more of a city park and people were picnicking and relaxing. The Xplorer program was hurried due to the crowds and we only had to do the first activity. We opted to do more so we could learn more about the fort. Below is the latrines.

IMG_3285

This is the bread oven of the old structure. You can see the modern building around the ruins.

IMG_3286

IMG_3288

We wrapped up quickly and headed back towards the cornfield we are camping in. We are enjoying being on the outskirts of town. May as well enjoy the peace and quiet when we can. The campground is very fancy and mostly seasonal with really nice motorhomes and 5th wheels.

We stopped along the way home and picked up fresh sweet corn for dinner. It was YUMMY on the grill. I of course had cheese and corn for dinner because I don’t like steak yet.

Fruit Picking-pa-looza

We had to get up really early today and Mom and Dad were hush hush about where we were going. We drove a little over an hour to the middle of nowhere cornfield land. We arrived at a u-pick fruit farm. We were all extremely excited to pick. We got our instructions and buckets and were out to pick raspberries first.

IMG_3227

They were all so ripe and juicy! I have learned to eat a few new foods this trip. Raspberries are one of them. Although I won’t eat a lot, I will eat a few.

IMG_3228

I really enjoyed seeking out the best berries to pick.

IMG_3229

Mom and Dad got in on the picking as well.

IMG_3235

IMG_3238

Our bucket filled quickly with 4 people picking. I twas  LOT of raspberries.

IMG_3240

Up next were the blueberries. This is a fruit that I will eat more than a few of. They have to be just right but I do enjoy them now.

IMG_3241

Unlike the Florida blueberry plants these were packed full of yummy looking berries. You barely had to touch the plant and they fell off in your hand. I did manage to seek out only the largest berries.

IMG_3243

We opted for a larger bucket for blueberries. We all picked into tiny containers and then Mom approved our pickings and dumped into the larger bucket.

IMG_3244

IMG_3247

Now that is a LOT of blueberries.

IMG_3248

Finally, APPLES. We picked a bag of Paula Red apples. They are so sweet and tiny. I have taken to calling apples Crunchie and Munchies (from he movie The Black Cauldron). I LOVE APPLES!

Boy are these ones delicious. I ate two before we even got out of the parking lot and several more later in the day.

IMG_3249

IMG_3251

IMG_3252

IMG_3253

So 20lbs of apples, the large bucket of blueberries and the medium raspberry bucket we came to a total of $32 Canadian! That is roughly $25 US.

They also sold cider and honey. I picked out some honey comb. I really enjoy honey comb.

We have plans for yummy cobblers, pancakes, fresh fruit with homemade whip cream and more.

La Mauricie and Maple Trees

Today was overcast and dreary but we headed to La Mauricie National Park anyway. We arrive at the park and were treated with a ton of construction. The roads were empty and the parking lots and trails deserted. I think we have finally hit the off season. We look a long hike along the Cascades trail. Many of the other trails were closed due to bears.

IMG_3195

The Cascades Trail led to a spectacular waterfall that had a very low angle and was extremely long. In the summer people can play in the many pools that are created along the waterfalls. The lower pool was completely closed off due to the bears.

We hiked, or rather RAN, from the lowest to the highest points.

IMG_3200

Taking a break from all our worries. IMG_3197

IMG_3198

The dense forest had some very cool looking trees. Many had double trunks and bent all which ways looking for sunlight.

IMG_3208

I liked the ponds. I was convinced there was an owl swimming in the water but it turned out to be a duck, butt up, covered in green pond grass.

IMG_3209

This is Lake Wapizagonka. It stretches a massive 16 kilometers and is only 500meters wide. It looks like a river but it is really a lake. It runs between two mountains in the Laurentian Mountain range here in Quebec.

IMG_3211

We still haven’t been able to figure out what the fox says. But this was not for my lack of singing at the fox sculpture really loudly.

IMG_3213

After the 63km road in La Mauricie we headed back towards Three rivers. Breighton had seen a brochure for the Sugar Shack. With a little research we found the location and went to visit. It is a maple grove where they harvest syrup.

IMG_3214

We toured the educational center and learned about modern tree tapping.

IMG_3215

IMG_3216

IMG_3217

We explored part of the grove and saw some examples of the old ways to harvest that let in all the bugs and other impurities.

IMG_3219

As we were leaving we saw a man with a tray of ice come outside under a tent. We went to explore and he was making fresh maple toffee for a tour group that was coming. He let us each try some. It was DELICIOUS!

IMG_3220

I INSISTED that I be allowed to keep my popsicle stick because it smelled so yummy. I gave it up for a maple lollipop instead from he giftshop.

IMG_3221

Back at the campground and the rain is threatening again. We stopped by to see the little petting zoo the campground has. We also went swimming and got a load of laundry done.

IMG_3222

IMG_3223

IMG_3224

Tomorrow we roll towards Montreal and fetch Dad at the airport.