Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Within the ramparts of Old Quebec City you will find a quaint, clean, and vibrant European atmosphere to walk, shop, dine, lounge and take in its history. Because along with two other North American cities (Jamestown and St. Augustine), it occupies the status as one of the oldest. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain who set sail from Honfleur, France, Champlain discovered a strategic location where the St. Lawrence River narrows and cliffs separate the land from the water. It was once the capital during the New France reign until 1760 when the British defeated the French. Today it is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Old Quebec reminded us of France in several ways, the language, clothing, advertisements, food and drink, but moose antlers hung on a pub wall, along with  hockey sticks in hand, are a dead give away that you are in Canada.

There is much to see and do here. Museums, interesting architecture, horse drawn carriage rides, walking tours, art galleries and exhibitions, and street musicians to name a few. We had the opportunity see a Cirque du Soleil performance, compliments of the taxpaying citizens of Quebec. There is an upper and lower part of the old town, so you will find several steep inclines worthy of commencing a cardiac arrest, but never fear there is a funicular to assist with these abrupt inclines for the less fit.

Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City, Quebec

Maple taffy - Quebec City

Old Port - Quebec City

Notre-Dame-des-Victories Church, the oldest church
in North America, built in 1688 - Quebec City

We found several of these troupe-l'oeil murals in Quebec City's Old Port

The Parliament building is a towering structure just outside the walled city and is home to the National Assembly. We were able to tour the National Assembly Chamber and other parts of the building. It was interesting to learn about the Canadian government and how it functions. The gardens surrounding the building were outstanding.

Parliament Building - Quebec City

Parliament Building - Quebec City

Parliament Building - Quebec City

Parliament Chamber - Quebec City

We also toured the Citadelle of Quebec. Rebuilt, in the star shape as you would find it today, it was envisioned for defense of potential attack from American forces. It is still a military installation housing approximately eighty personnel. Changing of the guards along with the goat mascot is an event held during the summer months.

Standing guard to the entrance of the Citadel, they can not laugh, speak, or look at you
Citadelle of Quebec

After visiting Canada many times in our lifetime, we have come to learn that the Canadians relish their outdoor activities and bicycling is no exception. In fact, along the St Lawrence River there is a long bike trail that seemed to go forever. And so we found a bike rental store and rode to Montmorency Falls, a short 8+ miles east of the city. We have to agree with our French friend Renée, who is a native Québécois, that is was worth a visit. It is 272 feet (83 meters) high, 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls.

Montmorency Falls, Quebec, Canada

You would not find us doing this - Quebec, Canada

From the base of the falls you can take this long staircase to the top, cross the suspended bridge and have lunch overlooking the St Lawrence River. View from suspended bridge - Montmorency Falls, Quebec

Lunch stop, Manoir Montmorency offered panoramic views - Quebec

Montmorency Falls, Quebec, Canada

On our last day we rented a car and visited the Îsle d'Orleans. Here we discovered adorable residential cottages, farms, orchards, wineries, cheese making, restaurants, and inns. The island's circumference is 42 miles. You can see great view of the city from the island.

The following photographs are lampshades featuring reproductions of paintings that are on permanent collection at the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec. They were located on the street of our hotel, Avenue Cartier. They measure eight feet in diameter and five feet tall. They were spectacular at night and during the day.

Here's more photographs of our travels to Quebec, Canada.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/73641767@N05/64e680

Telluride, Colorado

It is hard to believe that Telluride ski resort has only been in existence since 1972. Telluride is rated in the top 10 ski resorts in North American, but you wouldn't guess that by the lack of crowds on the slopes; lift lines didn't exist except on rare occasions. It is Colorado's best kept secret and any resident will tell you that they would like to keep it that way, thank you very much.

Beverage stop

On the slopes, Telluride, CO

It is not the easiest resort to journey to, but once you get there, a car is not needed for there are free buses that loops around the town on a frequent basis and also a free gondola offered to the public from 7am to 12 midnight between Telluride and Mountain Village. It is just as easy to walk the entire town of Telluride. And if you do step that big toe of yours off the sidewalk taking aim for crossing the street, you can expect the slow moving vehicles to stop and allow you to cross. A walk around town will provide you with places of interest by these plaques describing former brothels, dance halls, saloons, theatre, etc.

The super great thing about the town of Telluride is that you won't find any chain restaurants/stores except for a Starbucks in the Mountain Village, the purpose built town on the other side of the the mountain from Telluride. Another great thing about Telluride is the lack of crime. Our friends rented ski equipment and were told by the rental shop to put the skis and boots out on the porch for pickup, saying that they might pick them up that evening, or the next morning. The next morning? In fact, the skis were still there in the morning. George and I were sitting outside a coffee shop one morning and a resident placed her expensive phone and wallet on a table and walked inside the shop, for what seemed like ten minutes. I am confident that she felt safe leaving her belongings on that table, it was no accident. Oh where, oh where else, can we find a community like this.

Telluride's origin began with native Americans of the Ute Indian tribe using the area as summer hunting grounds. However, once gold, silver, and other precious metals where discovered in the 1870's, agreements were made with the Ute tribe, which displaced them to Southwest Colorado.

Miner's cabin - Telluride, CO - 1916
Photo of photo taken at the Telluride Court House

Mining transformed the town, and by the turn of the century its population swelled to 5,000 residents. A railroad was built to augment the mining efforts and connect Telluride with the rest of the world. Today you can find 350 miles of mining tunnels in the Telluride Mountains. It was the first city in the world to have electric streetlights. Incidentally, the infamous Butch Cassidy's outlaw career started in Telluride, after robbing his very first bank of $24,000.

Telluride's booming economy ended when the price of silver plummeted, along with the start of WWI, and the Great Depression, and thus the population dipped to just a few hundred people.

I thought this photo was interesting because of the bear in the photo, a camera shy bear.
Photo of photo taken at the Telluride Court House. 

Thanks to the ski industry, Telluride was resurrected to what it is today. A quiet, laid back town, offering great skiing, pricey real estate, and beautiful surroundings. Telluride sits in a box canyon that wraps a 180 degree stunning panorama of the mountains.

On Main Street in Telluride

During our shuttle ride from the airport, our driver told us about a Quentin Tarantino movie that was being shot in a nearby ranch. So everyday we were on celebrity watch. Our last night in Telluride we spotted Kurt Russell and Walton Goggins in a restaurant. Kurt had a full beard that was apropos for the movie,  Hateful Eight, a post-Civil War western. He kindly gave me his autograph.

Kurt Russel autograph

The skiing was very good, but we have to say the snowfall in western North American, thus far, has been below average levels. I think we experienced the ski mountain at its worse, as one resident mentioned. Our skis did take a beating on the exposed rocks and debris. But we could never complain about the abundance of clear blue, sunshine days and warm temperatures, which always makes for a happy skier, despite the shortage of snow.

Here are some photos:

Telluride, CO

At a French Restaurant on the mountain.
Do any of our French friends recognize the glassware?

Mountain Village

View from our condo

These big tire bikes are very popular in Telluride

Court House - Telluride, CO

George has taken a new profession,
can you guess what it is?

View from the slopes

Our compadres, Sue, Gary, and George

Selfie

Telluride, CO

Artifacts from the mining industry - Telluride, CO

There are many cute homes like this and the photo below. I wouldn't be surprised if
they cost more than a million dollars especially if they are historic structures.

Telluride, CO

Telluride, CO