MIGRATING
08 April 2012 | Québec City
Alex, cool-ish
Aren't migratory birds wonderfully smart creatures? Perhaps they do know best? Twice a year they get up and go, pointing their beaks and sniffing the air for warmer climates, what a life!!
But then I feel a sense of understanding, as Dave and I are prepping, and will soon be pointing our lovely Banyan towards warmer climates as well.
And so we were in Québec City over the long Easter weekend, eating too many Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Ashton poutines, Chocolate Mousse with Pear Birthday cakes... and found oursevles craving a bit of adventure (or might that be much needed-exercise)?
The Canada Snow Goose (Geese?) fly from the Great White North down to the Atlantic Seaside, and then in March reverse direction and come back. One of their stomping grounds during this migration is at Cap Tourmente, approx half hour drive East of Quebec City.
Cap Tourmente (so named by Samuel de Champlain because in his words the slightest bit of wind in the area creates big waves) is a National Wildlife Area, home to many km's of hiking trails, flora, fauna, birds and wildlife. The wetlands are also home to the bullrush plant, a favourite food of the Snow Goose (Geese). Well fed Goose are happy Geese ?
We didn't get too far in as the grounds were closed and we had other plans for the day, however, that being said, it was a good thing they were closed, as I wasn't too keen on paying an admission fee, for something as natural as migrating birds found in nature. We did venture a ways in and took a peek at the grounds, saw a beautiful woodpecker having his feed of suet.. pictures, as always, can be found on Banyan's FB site.
So back into the car we go and another drive up and up and over the mountain, through blizzard conditions (seriously ??), and back down again into the sun and the lovely community of Baie St-Paul. This area is considered to be an artist's paradise, as evidenced by the many statues of famous artist busts, and the many art galleries and beautiful scenery everywhere the eye can see. We enjoyed a late afternoon snack of gelato (maple for Dave, mango for me, cherry for Ben, and chocolate sundaes and vanilla twists for my sister and nephew).
A short walk through town and most of the art galleries, boutiques and craft shops were open... one of them selling, notably donkey milk soaps. We never did find the shop that sold white wine made of tomatoes. A local speciality apparently.
Another short drive away we stopped at the edge of the Baie where there was a spectacular horizon of ''Snow Goose White'', and a painter immortalizing the moment on canvas. We also stumbled upon the home of Habitat 07 (an ecologically built house that uses the idea of energy sustainability). It too was closed, and if it had been open, would have incurred an admission fee.
Instead we found ourselves peeping through the windows, free of charge.
The drive home took us back up the mountain, back through blizzarding and blowing snow, arriving at home just in time to prep some good ole Fondue Chinoise. Yumm !
And so, just for a day, we too migrated, flocking to the areas that interested us, staying if only for a moment or two, feeding and snacking as the mood overtook us and then flying away leaving only the memories of a perfect day to stay within our minds and our hearts.
CAPTION: the Snow Goose at Baie St-Paul.