Discoveries along the way

    Today's ride was one of those you wish could go on and on -- beautiful weather, great country roads, no traffic, interesting sights along the way, and a tailwind!  Our mileage from Berthiersville to Trois Rivieres was just 55 miles of easy riding, so we could relax along the way and still reach our destination with time to explore the old part of the city here,

              

            We had to stop to admire a lovely farm and visit a bit with a couple of mares and their colts.

                      

        A ways further down the road, we stopped at a restored general store.  The owner showed us his Aeolian piano player dating from 1904. It is a contraption which can be set to any keyboard and hits the keys, guided by a paper roll and powered by petals.  None of us had ever heard or seen this version of a player piano, so we were delighted to get a demonstration.  

 

       

   When we arrived in Trois Rivieres, we visited the Ursaline Museum.  Five intrepid nuns travelled from Quebec to establish a school for girls and a hospital here in 1695.  The school they started is still educating more than 800 students annually, although in recent years it is no longer run by the order.  This picture is of the dome of the chapel, parts of which date back to the 18th century.  Our visit was interesting, but I would like to know more about the women and girls in the early days of the school.

                               

               One of the towers of the cathedral here, soaring up into a clear late afternoon sky.