Day 46: Montmagny, Quebec, Canada

Day 46: Montmagny, Quebec, Canada

July 28, 2016

Miles: 23

Average Speed: 11.8 mph

Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, QC to Montmagny, QC



Di and I arose around 9am today.  We were riding only 22 miles, so we were in no rush.  We took our time packing and we were ready to go by 10:30.  Unfortunately, Di's bike wasn't ready to go because she discovered her back tire was flat.  This was our first flat in over 5500 miles going back to last year.  Oh well, it was bound to happen.

Di repairing her flat 

Parting shot from the motel grounds

Getting a flat tire is not a disaster, but because of the delay spent repairing the flat, we didn't arrive at the Cafe OK until after 11am and breakfast was no longer being served.  Now that is a disaster.  I like my first meal of the day to be breakfast.  But, we could still order coffee, so all was not lost.  Our meal was really good, so the the restaurant name is really a misnomer, though Cafe OK does sound better than Cafe Really Good.

Di on the outdoor deck of Cafe OK

Lunch is served

Today I learned a very important French sentence: "Je voudrais avoir une autre tasse de cafe, s'il vous plait."  You might think I should have learned this earlier and you would be right, but pointing to my empty coffee cup with a mad look in my eye had been serving me well so far.  But, I guess saying it politely is more civilized.

Cafe OK is right on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, so after our meal we rode our bikes onto a pier to get a close-up view of the river.  Of course, Di had to get an even closer view.

Di walks out onto the rocks to be one with the river

Di riding with reckless abandon on the pier that has signs saying no bike riding

Parting shot of Cafe OK

By now it was already past noon and we hadn't even started our ride yet.  We rode only two miles before we say a sign for Musée des Anciens Canadiens de St-Jean-Port-Joli and we stopped in to check it out.  The proprietor of one of the stores we had visited had recommended it to us and said we would enjoy it.  I don't understand why the museum is named as it is unless the name means Museum of Wood Carvings, because the museum is filled with many examples of different types of wood carvings.  Some of the pieces were quite impressive and I really recommend that you drive up to Saint-Jean-Port-Joli to view all these wonderful works.  In the event you choose not to make that drive, I have probably taken enough pictures to save you that bother.

A wood carving

A wood carving in progress

That block and tackle is made entirely from one piece of wood, including the chain

More wood carvings

More wood carvings

Harry Potter makes an appearance (life-size!)

Norman Rockwell paintings as wood carvings!

Large wood carving

Beatles wood carvings

Even the Mona Lisa wood carving

A lion wood carving and Di

At this point perhaps you are happy you didn't make the drive to visit the museum.  But, if you are ever in the area for other reasons, you should definitely stop in.  Its worth it, if you're already here (hey, I just coined the museum's marketing slogan!).

At this point is was already almost 1:30 and we had only ridden two miles so far, so we decided to get going again.  However, just a couple of miles later, I saw a picnic area right on the St. Lawrence River and just had to stop to enjoy the beauty.

Rocks leading into the St. Lawrence River

River side romancers

Di enjoying the picnic area by the river

By this point it was after 2pm and we had only ridden 4 miles, so we decided we really had to get going.  We rode the remaining 19 miles without taking a break and with the level road and no wind, we really made good time.  (And by the way, the road was level, not slightly downhill, as some might suggest was the case given our relatively high average speed!).  We arrived at our motel around 3:45, rested for a bit, and then headed out to check out the town.  We hadn't yet decided if we would stay in Montmagny for one night or two and wanted to see if the town was worthy of a second night.

Don't ask me what this is all about

We decided to eat at Chez Octave because we were walking by and Di was hungry and insisted we stop and eat now.  It was a good choice because everything we had there was excellent, starting with the lemonade that Di said was actually real lemonade.

Di enjoying real lemonade

We both ordered the cream of vegetable soup for appetizers and for our entrees Di the salmon and I the ravioli.  Di said it was the best food she's had in a long time and immediately picked up her phone and called the motel to extend our stay for another night.  I guess we will be eating at Chez Octave again.

Di with her salmon served sans gluten

We walked around town a bit after dinner and then sat in a park to play another game of cribbage.  I won this game, but Di is still ahead of me by three games to two.  My skill at cribbage is no match for her luck at cards.  At least that's what I tell myself.

This was in town

No victory dance today

We will stay here in Montmagny tomorrow doing our typical rest day activities, such as sleeping in and eating and drinking coffee.  I can't wait.