Observations along the way

We had a short ride today, 26 miles on bikes and about 26 kilometers on two different ferries, taking us back to the southeast shore of the St. Lawrence, as we prepare to loop back to Quebec City.  We need some practice reading elevation charts; the one someone found for today's ride convinced us we were facing the worst hills yet, but all agreed they were far easier than expected. I guess you have to check the distance gauge as well!

Here's a few things I have noticed during two weeks in Quebec:

--If you see the Canadian maple leaf flag flying, you have probably found the post office.  Blue and white fleur de lis Quebec flags are seen everywhere.

--Good ice cream is scarce; good beer is plentiful.  This afternoon we bought single half liter bottles from a selection of microbrewery offerings at a minimart.  And where was the minimart?  At a gas station!

--The substantial investment here in bike routes and accommodations means a group like our attracts much less attention than we received last year going from Minneapolis to Boston.  

--Campers seem to migrate to whale feeding grounds.  I've never seen such a concentration of campers and trailers on the roads as I have in the last week.

--Poutine is good!

     The elevation chart that scared us.  Or maybe we are learning to climb hills!

     Bikes waiting for the ferry.  

    The group at the end of an easy day.  We aren't an anomaly here.