Snake at the Eco Museum ZOO

Eco Museum offers to the young and old equal opportunity to learn about and view animal species that are indigenous to the St-Lawrence Valley of Quebec. Upon entry, pathways circulate throughout the exhibits and offer a great view of animal species, some featured on few of our photographs here;

More about Eco Museum ZOO on their web site…

View Larger Map

Comfort that your home offers, and in some instances more than that, creates relaxing, worry free atmosphere for you, your large family or group of friends.

Most chalets do accommodate 8+, feature well equipped kitchen, fireplace, playroom with pool table and/or outdoor hot tub, cathedral ceiling with glass wall that if on the hill offers great view on the Laurentians, few full bathrooms, BBQ, large TV, internet access and close to anything else you may need during your stay.

Everything else you can think off may be available or provided at the reception, in the main log cabin, also featured on our photo gallery.

Video clip featuring footage from the Blueberry Lake Resort…

Loved every bit of it and looking forward to, hopefully soon, opportunity to experience it during the summer months.

More on Blueberry Lake Resort web site.

Enjoy!

Usually cold winter days bring in snowstorms that put smiles on kids faces, big and small, who enjoy winter activities on local slopes, on ice and wherever opportunity presents itself. In the same time this large amounts of snow can cause a havoc in the cities, especially those that are not very often hit hard and for that reason don’t have ready clean up crews.

Snow removal in Montreal. From one side of the street snow is removed first.

In extreme cases no amount of preparation and heavy equipment can keep up with the snowfall. Under those circumstances traffic can be brought to the standstill, driving becomes impossible and in some cases motorists do get stranded buried in the snow.

If you live in a warm climate and wonder how all that looks like then our video may help. Montreal snow storm video is featuring moderate snow storm that had left behind 15cm of snow on the city streets. Second part of video is showing few scenes of typical snow removal operation that follows during the first 7 days.

How bad it gets in you city during and after the snowstorm and are you happy with snow cleaning or removal response? What excuses your city cancelers have when things go wrong?

If you are asking yourself how far you may be from Montreal then know that Quebec is 250km away (travel notes), Mont-Tremblant is 140km away (travel notes), distance to Ottawa is 190km, Toronto is 540km, Niagara Falls (Ontario) 680km (all approximate numbers).

Neighborhood

In the neighborhood, on the US side of the border, are Vermont, Main and the New York State (Plattsburgh photos). US border is only around 43mi. (70km) drive to or from Montreal. Distance from some of the American cities to Montreal; Boston is 310mi. (500km) away, New York city – 330mi. (530km), Chicago – 869mi. (1400 km) and Miami (Florida) is 1677mi. (2700km) away (all approximate numbers).

French

Montreal is the largest French-speaking city in North America (discover), although large number of it’s citizens are bilingual so you should not encounter major obstacles by asking for direction, ordering food, shopping or having fun. Montréal (French) today represents a mosaic of cultures from all continents, blended into one open-minded society.

History

Explorer Jacques Cartier, while searching for passage to India, ended up in St. Lawrence river and landed on the island today know as Montreal. The year was 1535 and he recorded that at the time on the island lived Iroquoian people in the village of Hochelaga. Century had past by before first French settlement took its shape. Montreal (photos) changed hands throughout the centuries while expanding and welcoming new settlers and most recently immigrants, growing in to a great cosmopolitan city famous for its museums, cafés, gourmet restaurants and numerous festivals.

Narrow streets of Old Montreal will bring you as close is possible without leaving North America, besides Quebec city (photos), to ambiance that is usually found in European cities (discover). Stylish boutiques and restaurants as well as art galleries are enriching already prestigious windows of stone build houses.

Fun

Montreal hosted 1976 Summer Olympic Games and it is host to next events: the Tennis Masters, the International Jazz (photos), Film, Comedy and Fireworks Festivals, as well to the Formula One race – Ile St. Helene and Ile Notre Dame (photos).

Video clip and frequently updated large collection of photographs in our photo galleries should tell you more then words about Montreal – see preview bellow;

Intro to our ultimate photo guide to Montreal

More in photo gallery Montreal…

Photo guide – Where to go, what to see, what to do?

Facing Old Port Montreal are two islands in St. Lawrence river, Ile St. Helene and Ile Notre Dame…

Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a pilgrimage site for numerous believers from around the world…

Borough Lachine featuring René-Lévesque Park, on the Lac Saint Luis…

It has been known for centuries as a mountain but Mont Royal is actually a hill in the very center of Montreal. Featured photo gallery; Mont Royal…

Indoor/Outdoor fun for kids in and around Montreal!

Intrducing;

• 364 days/year: Eco Museum ZOO
• September: Apple picking in Rougemont
• October: Pumpkin picking on Notre-Dame de l’Ile-Perrot
• Continually updated…

How is maple syrup made?

First signs of the warmer weather will make bushes and trees bud. That’s the time when sugar shack owners and maple syrup producers start checking if their neck of the woods is ready to insert spouts into the tree trunks, hang a bucket on to each one and drop by drop collect a watery liquid.

The full buckets filled with sweet liquid are emptied into large drums, then pulled back on the wagons to sugar shack where that liquid, called maple sap, is boiled down. As result, after all the water is evaporated from the maple tree sap, we end up with delicious syrup we use to sweeten pancakes or crepes (grandma’s recipe).

Activities, food, experience…

Maple taffy

In most of the sugar shacks, in March and April, you can see first hand all of the aspects of maple syrup production. If winter does not disappoint with large amounts of snow, as it did in 2010 around Montreal, then hot maple taffy is poured on snow to cool down, just to be scooped up with wooden sticks 30 seconds later. There is no candy that can compare to this all natural sweet treat.

Some of the sugar shacks will have indoor ice bed if there is no snow. Most of the shacks will have kitchens were are prepared traditional meals consisting of baked beans, ham, omelets, sausages, soups, bacon, and crepes made as dumplings beside some other deserts, all accompanied with plenty, you guessed it right, maple syrup.

Where did we go?

• La Goudrelle sugar shack on Mont St-Gregoire [ + ]

Hope you’ll enjoy it as much we did!

We’ll be here adding to a spectrum of colors also seasonal farm produce of a local farm, as already said, in few words and a photo gallery featuring the Quinn Farm, located on Ile-Perrot, just outside of Montreal (west on highway #20).

Quinn Farm pumpkin field

Most colorful season of the year must be experienced outdoors wherever (whenever) green of summer is being slowly replaced by rich yellow and read colors of the autumn.

This visit to Quinn Farm was in the month of October so it features pumpkin picking but farm also produces strawberries, blueberries, asparagus and sweet corn, all pick-your-own through out the summer months.

At the very entrance Quinn Farm features beautiful barn where, who knows, your little one may meet for the first time some of the domesticated animals too. Maze made of bales of straw will keep the kids busy while ride on a tractor pulled wagon arrives. When done with harvesting fun on one of the fields or in their apple orchard, beside paying for produce you have collected outdoors, you can buy a seasonal, freshly made, right there on the farm, apple or pumpkin muffins, apple pie, locally produced honey and other products. Weather permitting, you may find a bench and have a picnic.

Related;
Pumpkin picking for Halloween…
Pumpkin carving ideas…

Yearly cycle of life on Quinn farm does not end with pumpkin picking since in December, you may choose your own perfect Christmas tree right there.

In the same main building at the Quinn Farm, in October you may find great Halloween related crafts and in the month of December Christmas items that will make a great Christmas presents or decorations for your home.

Photo gallery featuring pumpkin picking on Quinn Farm

Quinn Farm, located at the 2495 boul. Perrot sud, Notre-Dame de l’Île-Perrot, in Quebec, is kind of farm that can be found around any big city. If nothing else then this could be a good reason to go out there and get fresh produce throughout the Summer and Autumn.

Location of the Quinn Farm on the map:

View Larger Map

Orchards are on or around a few hundred meters tall Mont Rougemont, one of the Monteregian Hills. The mountain is mostly covered with maple forest and for that reason in the surrounding area can be found number of sugar shacks that in late winter and early spring produce maple syrup.

Before first colder days of autumn dress up maple trees with spectrum of colors it’s the right time for Montrealers to head out to country side and pick some apples, buy some cider, taste local cheeses, buy a jar of locally produced honey or even an apple pie.

Apple picking in “Verger du Flâneur” orchard, Rougemont, Quebec

On the lower slopes of Mont Rougemont, as well around it, many of apple orchards sell the fruit in season on their sales counter, or simply will sell you a bag, two or more, and you go on, spend an hour or more picking apples by yourself (with your family and friends), while enjoying the view or having a picnic. So, when time is right (one of those last warm and sunny weekends in mid September to early October) hurry up and enjoy the countryside. Soon enough apple harvest will be in a full bloom and they’ll end up on your local store shelf’s, or as a cider and ice cider (for ice cider apples are picked up in the month of January).

Featured on the map is Verger du Flâneur orchard, in Rougemont, 1161 Petite Caroline. On photos in video…

Choosing an orchard for apple picking around Montreal isn’t that easy since there are many in Monteregie, some in Eastern Townships, as well north from the city and some other orchards (travel notes) right around the corner. After trying few we think that “Verger du Flâneur” orchard, located on the south slope of Rougemont mountain is the perfect place to pick your own apples in Quebec, enjoy the view, relax in peace and quiet atmosphere.

View Larger Map

Booth regions were first settled few centuries ago by loyalists who left US during or right after the war of Independence. Settlers wanted to stay loyal to the British crown and they looked up to the North.

Few centuries went by but the way of life has been preserved and cultivated for everyone’s benefit. Prince Edward County today is a rich variety of country living all of us are searching for when looking for near by escape from the urban chaos.

Prince Edward County, view on the Lake Ontario (click on photo for more images)

Prince Edward County on the Lake Ontario is best known for Sandbanks Provincial Park and its 7km of sand dunes and sandy beach. It takes just about 2h drive from Toronto or around 4h from Montreal (travel notes) to enjoy the sand and the beach.

But, there is much more to the Prince Edward County than beaches (P.E.C. photos) and beautiful camp grounds right on them.

Once settled in whatever accommodations you choose, you should visit picturesque town of Picton, explore its main street, crafts and artisan shops, enjoy a meal in one of the gourmet restaurants or on a rainy day, simply go to the old movie theater. Also, explore the quiet roads throughout the Prince Edward County, discover numerous farms and their produce, local cheese producers, apple orchards, strawberry fields, vineyards, B&B’s, Inn’s, cottages, even a Drive In movie theater. On the beach enjoy water sports and nature that surrounds it but find time for much more that Prince Edward county has to offer and you wont regret it. See part of it on our P.E.C. video…

Prince Edward county on the map:

View Larger Map

Hope you’ll have as much fun we had!

Bon Voyage!

Numerous towns, hiking paths, bike paths, ski resorts, ski hills, ski trails, golf courses, with all kinds of other activities for all ages throughout the year makes large number of tourists coming back season after season, year after year.

Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians region of Quebec

Hundreds of kilometers of bike paths stretch throughout the region, becoming cross country ski or snowmobile trails during winter months. Ski resorts like Mont Tremblant, Saint Sauveur or resorts like Blueberry Lake Resort for an example, offer comfortable and luxury accommodations, and/or restaurants, boutiques and variety stores in colorful Alpine alike village atmosphere. Saint Sauveur and Mont Tremblant are well known ski resorts that are main centers in the region with numerous slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding.

Just north from Saint Sauveur lies Morin Heights village were you could enjoy during the winter months more than 170 km of cross-country trails.

Laurentians on the map:

View Larger Map

Province of Quebec flag

Quebec city’s historically rich architecture that reflects Europe more than it’s location in North America is protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stone houses, churches, old fortification walls that surround Vieux Quebec, picture perfect hotel Chateau Frontenac (opened it’s doors in 1893), stretching out from under its walls Terrasse Dufferin overlooking St. Laurence river are just a small part of this beautiful city waiting for you to explore.

Many museums scattered around are one way to discover history of the region and it’s settlers, to mention few: Musée de la civilisation, Musée de l’Amérique française, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and many others.

On other hand restaurants and cafés, then arts and crafts shops will introduce you in the heart of North America (discover) to old and new New France.

Quebec city is 250km drive from Montreal (travel notes), the largest city in the province of Quebec.

Quebec city on the map:

View Larger Map

Hope you’ll enjoy it as much we did!