We just finished Day 3 of our Gaspe/Maritime RV trip. It was a free day to explore on our own Quebec City. This is a picture looking down on the lower part of the city and the St. Lawrence River looking out toward the sea. We are riding the funicular up to the upper, fortified part of the city. Yesterday we spent the entire day on a motor coach tour of the city with a wonderful Quebecer telling us the history, pointing out the significant and not so significant sights, learning where the good places to eat are located, the customs and traditions, and a real rah rah for Quebec and Canada. We were ready to move to Quebec City. Almost heaven, except for the 200 inches of snow, the 40-degrees below temps, and 6 months of winter.

This morning we went to the Citadel, the old fort on the highest point of Quebec City to watch the changing of the guard. Red coated soldiers in bearskin, tall hats with a marching band and all. Impressive ceremony but a little long and redundant. Tonight we watched “Ann of Green Gables” to get us ready for Prince Edward Island.

Tomorrow we travel about 210 miles out toward the sea along the St. Lawrence River toward the end of the Gaspe Peninsula. We were told for the next two campsites, about 4 days, we will not have any potable water and we suspect no cell coverage and wifi. Also the two travel days following tomorrow will have some steep hills; our log warns us of 11% and 17% hills to navigate. So, if you don’t hear from us for a ;long while, we’re probably still trying to get up the hills.

The trip from Maine on our first travel day was 220 miles in length on mostly two lane highways that were generally in good condition. We have been finding the surface area of ME roads with patches or need-to-be-patches out-weigh the smooth, unpatched road surface areas. But the roads  were pretty good, there was little traffic, and we traveled through some beautiful country. It reminded me of traveling on state highway 1 in NE MN but with mountains and moose signs. Moose caution signs are common in ME, and we really pay attention when the signs are also accompanied with flashing red lights. .

Things went smoothly until we got to the border. We were coached on how to go through Customs: make eye contact and don’t look down to the left, don’t lie, don’t volunteer any additional information, don’t mention anything about having any pets unless they ask, and if they ask you how much liquor you have say, “To the best of my knowledge, I have…” First, I probably didn’t totally make eye contact since I have to read lips to hear. Then I lied (inadvertently) about not having a safe. Tuzi who was securely locked in a crate and out of the way barked, and we were asked if we had a dog. And, finally when asked where we were from, I said, “Minnesota, but we have South Dakota licenses and are full time RVers.” The next thing I heard was, “Pull over to the right and leave the vehicle so it can be searched.” It took 2 guys about 15 minutes to open all compartments and cupboards in the motor home and car, and we were then given back our passports and sent on our way with wishes to have a nice visit to Canada.  One other of our group who was somewhere behind us also was stopped and underwent the same type of scrutiny. We felt special getting all that attention. They say it’s worse getting back into the States. But then we may be stuck on a hill in Gaspe.