Welcome to Quebec City, Canada! We are saddened that our pampered lifestyle has come to an end. However, we are so grateful to be here in this historic city.

We have way too much stuff! Backpacks are 2 tons and counting. Got to send some more stuff home. Trying to send our underwear home is one thing, but it’s pictures, dresses, t-shirts, dress shoes and of course stuffed animals with unique labels of the places we have visited. New customs regulations imposed by the US is making it harder and more expensive. We have to fill out a four page form detailing what is in the package item by item and its value. Then there’s a customs fee on top of the shipping fee. What a crock!

We trudged down the hallway and met Larry and Ron as they were leaving and said our goodbyes and wishes for safe travels. We continued to midship, searching for a spot to wait for our position to be called. Heather spotted Abigail and Jacob, and we ended up waiting for quite some time before disembarking. We were both delighted to spend more time with them. Hopefully, we can plan to meet up at the lake or The Carriage House in Yoder’s Kansas. They are good people. We managed to take an impromptu quick pic in the elevator before walking the seemingly endless zigzagging ramp.

After looking for several minutes we found our luggage. Then was the dodging, stopping, scooting, and weaving as others decided to take naps in the middle of an exit lane for no other reason besides they could. Once making our escape we sat on a warm bus with no air circulating for another wait. Twenty minutes later they sent out a group of ten to fill up our bus heading to the airport. Packed to the gills like sardines in a can of oil and smelling of soiled depends. Just glad to be off that bus!

We pushed, pulled and dragged our luggage a block away and checked in with our car rental company. We had reserved a regular size SUV with 4 wheel drive. What we got was a midsized SUV with all wheel drive. The attendant was pushy and rude. I finally put my foot down and looked the car over. I agreed to take it cause I know it would be great for our gas mileage. We have requested a refund for the difference. Heather is waiting on a call back from a supervisor. It’s a brand new VW Tiguan. Had 183 miles on it before I got it. Just wait until Vancouver babies!

We barely fit Heather and I with our 2 tons of baggage in it. Then we spent 20 minutes changing the gauges to English but left the speedometer in kilometers since the limit signs are metric. Thanks be to Heather for not making me do any conversions cause I was up to changing it to mph lol. 🤪 Could have gotten a ticket going 100 mph when it was kilometers per hour.

The trees are just starting to change colors. Next week should be a good time for the change of seasons here according to our guide from yesterday excursion Mrs. Dominique. She boasted that she could drive from Saguenay to Quebec City in two hours when our big ship would take us all night. She also told us about a bridge that was no longer available for car traffic due to the weight ratings so the Government gave the bridge to the city to use as a pedestrian crossing. Well one day the new bridge had an accident on it and caught on fire. No one could cross because the government shut it down. Well the military and townspeople came up with a solution to get everyone moving and back to school and work. The people who needed to cross parked their cars at a nearby church and got free McDonalds on one side then the military would shuttle them to the walking bridge. Once the people walked across. The townspeople had free Tim Horton’s food and drinks with buses and taxis to take people to where they needed to be. They continued this practice until the bridge was inspected and reopened. Helping each other is the Canadian way. Dominique said it was good when they finally opened the driving bridge before everyone got to fat.

Check this little disturbing item out! Found this Chester Cheeks Butt Face near the le nourrisson section. (Infants) Yes it was in the Walmart!

We ate at the American Consulate aka McDonalds inside the Walmart. It took forever to get our order. I now have liver spots and a turkey neck. Just saying… everything is a wait. Traffic on a Sunday was bumper to bumper. We made it to our hotel and Heather is doing quite well speaking broken French. She took three years of French and I took just two. Palo Duro High vs Caprock High. PD wins again.

Quebec City was founded in 1608 as a fur traders post. It is the only fortified city north of Mexico. 95% of the population speaks French. The native language has always been French. It’s a mandate by the Government of Canada that all children in the province of Quebec speak French. The only exception is the children in military families from different provinces. They can attend English schools on their station or base. English is taught as a second language beginning in the second grade as an option. Lastly, the province of Quebec produces 70-80% of the world’s maple syrup. Yum!😋

We are tired and it has been raining. Taking a break tonight and had dinner delivered via Uber Eats from a highly rated chicken restaurant called Bennys Co. The food is very different. The coleslaw was like a kimchi and the sauces were different flavors. My bread was half a hamburger bun toasted but the roasted chicken was really tasty. Heather loved her chicken strips and disliked her greasy onion rings.

We spoke with Scotty and Misty and Rhyder made the Top 20 in the running for Baby of the Year. He is still at the number 9 spot so keep on voting. They are going to cut it to the Top 15 spots. So keep voting!

We also checked in with Mom and Dad. Was great to hear their voices and we are happy they enjoy our blog. We love and miss you all!

Today’s shout out is for Remi. She is the newest addition to Misty and Scotty’s family. She’s a mix of Cow-dog and Australian Shepherd. Remi is Kai’s new friend and playful partner. Also Rhyder’s new pull toy.

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul.
And sings the tune without the words,
and never stops at all.
-Emily Dickinson