It was like Washington crossing the Delaware.
Except it was August instead of December. And we were going to retrieve a plant from relatives instead of launching a surprise attack against Hessian forces. And we had coffee.
So basically it was nothing like Washington crossing the Delaware. But we did ferry our car across Lake Champlain. Not heroic, but kind of neat.
Back safely in the U.S. of A, we sailed through customs with nary a finger probe. We even managed (unintentionally) to smuggle Mothra here across the border. Our little stowaway, demonstrating the remarkable determination common among those trying to escape Canadian tyranny, braved sustained 65 mph winds for the duration of the trip, even at the cost of clearly tattered wings. But here, at least, she has the chance for a free and prosperous life.
Oh, if at some point in the near future, New York is destroyed by a plague of giant months, don’t blame us. Call Godzilla.
With 600 kilometers of bike trails (that’s about 370 miles for us metric-impaired Americans) Montreal is a tremendously bike friendly city. They’ve even imported Europe’s Bixi bike rental system, which is a great and inexpensive way to get around town. So it’s not surprising that some of our best biking thus far took place just a few kilometers from central Montreal on Îles-de-Boucherville.
The national park is comprised of five small islands in the Saint Lawrence River. A free ferry and several short bridges connect a 10 km gravel bike route that circles the island. Several other paths and slightly more rugged hiking trails branch out in various directions. Although just minutes from the city, the island feels remote, with spectacular water views and oceans of golden rod on either side of the trail.
We
hope to one day take in a Tahitian Sunset while partaking of Apricot Nectar, but for today at least, those are just some of the colorful names given to the 10,000 roses that populate the Montreal Botanical Gardens; many of which were still in bloom when we visited in mid-August. Not merely a rose garden, or even just a flower patch, the 185-acre “jardin botanique” includes ponds adorned with water lilies, winding forested paths, and a re-creation of a mountainous Alpine garden, one of 30 or so themed oases displaying plants from around the world.
What most captured our attention was a locked gate in the Japanese Garden (above). Really, we thought, there must be something good in there if they have to keep it under lock and key. No one was around to explain, so we continued on. But curiosity reigned, and eventually we circled back to the elusive locked gate. It turns out they were trying to hide a Japanese tea garden from us. They only allow ten people at a time in the garden because of the fragility of the plants, and it has to be seen with a guide.
During the 10-minute tour, we learned the tea garden’s purpose. It’s a transitional space to clear your mind before taking part in the tea ceremony. Actions like crossing stepping stones and kneeling down to wash your hands at a tsukubai (basin), set against the backdrop of the tranquil and carefully designed garden, are meant to help you leave the outside world behind and find serenity.
The other highlight of the day was the Chinese Garden, modeled on the private gardens of the Ming Dynasty and the largest of its kind outside China. Paths lead around “Dream Lake,” linking seven vibrant red pavilions (including one where we enjoyed a picnic lunch) and leading to a waterfall, a bonsai display, and beds of blooming pink lotus flowers.
So can you have wanderlust while you’re already traveling? China and Japan have officially moved up on my places-to-visit list, along with some Tahitian sun and apricot nectar.
With a casual glance one could easily mistake the exterior of Notre Dame de Montreal for its somewhat larger, and far more famous, sister in Paris. With twin bell towers emerging from a rectangular, two-story base and three arched entryways, the cathedrals are practically identical. You almost expect to see Quasimodo running about the Gothic campaniles.
But the spectacular interior is influenced by a completely different Paris cathedral, Sainte Chapelle. Chapelle’s influence is seen in the blue and gold color scheme, and particularly in the gilded stenciling in the arches and on the columns. Intricate wood carving adorns every inch of the interior. You can walk around and study the detail for hours. Or simply click on the photo below for a closer look.
Everywhere Once 