Montreal Road Trip, August 2015

This summer's major trips have focused on reconnecting with friends and relatives. August's trip (8/9 -8/27) to Montreal (crossing into Canada at Sault Ste Marie, MI) found Jim's brother John in fine health. We had been concerned because he had heart surgery in the winter. His friend Julie keeps an eye on him. Thanks!

Jim and John at the lookout on Mont Royal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Driving was our mode of transportation and we decided to try out our camping skills along the way. The weather was not always cooperative, but I have high praise for Michigan and Ontario parks. 

First night at Little Bay de Noc in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Some trip highlights:

Roger's Cup (tennis). Men this year alternating with the women next year who were simultaneously at Toronto. The ball goes so fast! And the big guys are so TALL! Fun day.

Jeremy Chardy vs Ivo Karlovic. Guess who won.

Watched Andy Murray play doubles on a smaller court. We were close!

The Murray brothers shake hands. Andy and Leander Paes lost.

Museums in Montreal. There are dozens of museums and we managed to see quite a few. My favorite was probably the Ponte-A-Calliere (The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History). One is literally on top of the original structures that were ancient Montreal and the museum's underground walks guide you through the building and the changes to the city. Ironically, the current special exhibit was The Aztecs with recently discovered artifacts from Mexico City and a very accessible review of the glorious and tragic Aztec history.
 

What a treat to see a special Rodin exhibit at the Muse de Beaux Arte! I think there were more pieces than what I saw at his studio in Paris. (I still look at the hands and feet and believe they were done by Camille Claudel.)

Opera in the Park. Our trip coincided with the last few days of the Italian Festival and the ending celebration: opera in the park (Barber of Seville) with Italian performers and a live orchestra. Perfect evening, amazing neighborhood. 

Botanical Garden and Insectarium. We took the Metro out to the "Espace pur la vie Montreal" where the 1976 Olympics were held. Great space! Lovely gardens and a way too chaotic insect museum. Screaming kids everywhere, but the bugs were very cool.
 

Can you see the ants carrying the leaves?

Shriner's hospital dedication. John's involvement in the Masons of Quebec is longstanding. He is a Past Grand Master of Quebec. He currently keeps busy as the Shriner's Hospital foundation secretary and a couple other posts I can't remember. 

We were there for a tour of the old hospital and the dedication of the new. They fund an amazing operation and help so many children. Although I sometimes smirk at the trappings of the Masons and Shriners, I am humbled by the good work that they do.

Walking. One of my favorite urban activities is walking and people-watching. John lives near the heart of the hip culture and walking up St Laurent and down St Denis exhausted me until we stopped for special coffees at a sidewalk cafe. So cosmopolitan. 

Coffees at Brulerie on St. Denis

A more serious walk took us to the top of Mt Royal with it's fine view of the city.

Great food of all sorts. Italian, Portuguese, Lebonese, Indian, African not to mention "the best burger in Montreal" and a little home cooking, of course. 

Julie and John at Khyber Pass Cuisine Afghane in Montreal.

Brotherly love. Electrical repairs, fence and railing painting, and lilac pruning. You can't be a tourist every day!

John's house on St Urbain, Montreal.

John volunteered the side of his house for the annual Montreal Mural Festival.

I photographed many murals as I walked the streets of Montreal. They truly transform ugly or unused spaces. Follow the link above for more information and samples.

Posing at the Westmount overlook. Me with the patient brothers.

Final thoughts on the 2+ week trip: 

It's hard to combine trips (camping and urban site-seeing). Packing and finding things in the car would be easier with one goal.

Books on CD make the driving go faster, although new scenery is always fun for me. The media of choice on this trip was Cold Storage Alaska on the road and Americanah for reading in the evening. I'd recommend both.

To truly appreciate a park you need to stay longer than one night. Our timeline or the weather pushed us on. We intended to stay longer on the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but it was cold and rainy and windy. This photo's blue water was short lived. I hope to get back to the Picture Rocks.

 
The jury is out on camping. Our cabin up north was a respite on the last night before home. We pitched the tent on the pontoon, watched the stars, and listened to the loons. Fun end to the trip.

Now it's time to be home for a while.