Publish Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009
Location: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Coordinates: 46° 49.210′ N 71° 12.392′ W
Just when we thought it would never be summer this year, we have been blessed with a beautiful day to walk around Quebec City. Ironically, we are now the farthest north we’ve ever been on Three@Sea, and this is the warmest day we’ve had since we’ve been cruising (this includes the whole winter in the Bahamas!). It really felt like summer today, and Quebec is a magical city in which to enjoy it.
Quebec is the only walled city in North America north of Mexico, and the part of the town inside the walls is wonderfully well-preserved. This city feels more like Europe than North America. French is the dominant language, and although many people know some or much English, it is definitely a French-speaking city. Montreal is more bilingual; Quebec is proud to be French-speaking. We walked around inside the walled part of the city, and then we also spent a few hours walking around the city outside the walls. Kathryn and I both were struck by how much the city outside the walls reminded us of San Francisco. This is probably because of the hills and stairways, and maybe the water, but there was also something else that we couldn’t quite put our fingers on. In any case, we love San Francisco, and we love Quebec City.
One of the highlights of our day was when we sought out a sidewalk cafe at which, nineteen years ago, Kathryn and I were engaged. We were on another one of our travel odysseys, during which we drove across the United States and parts of Canada. We were visiting Quebec City for a few days, and it felt like the perfect place to ask the girl of my dreams to marry me. Fortunately for me she said “yes”, and we were married in Colorado the following summer. I often marvel at how rich my life is because Kathryn is my wife, and I thank the universe for helping us find each other.
Today summer arrived in Quebec City. Nineteen years ago, I entered the summer of my life when Kathryn said “yes” to a simple question, and it’s been sunshine and warmth ever since.
Awww, that’s so sweet!!! Thanks for the all of the blog updates; my husband and I routinely follow all of your family’s blogs ever since we met you and Ayla at TrawlerFest on Solomon’s last year. (I think Katherine had stepped away.) We’ll miss seeing you this year but have safe travels!
Wow, I did not know the story about 19 years ago. It is truly a special place in North America. As I have said before, Gary and I want to go back. Its on my Bucket List