Quebec City by Bike - (Wolf Cove, Aquarium, Plains of Abraham + The Citadel)

Such a beautiful city

We decide to head out on bikes today so we can cover some ground. It feels good to be back on our bikes. 

Wolf Cove - my dad walked here in 1951

The bike path follows the water front along the St. Lawrence River. We are on our way to 'Anse au Foulon' (Wolf Cove), which is where my father's boat from Rotterdam landed back in July of 1951, when he immigrated from Holland. Across the street is a train track and I know he got on a train right away to head west. Things look very different than they did 75 years ago, but it's nice to think of my young 18 year old father on the adventure of his life. 

Train tracks across the road - heading west.

Quebec City Aquarium

Further down the bike path is the 'Quebec Aquarium'. We have credits from cancelled Sepaq camping reservations back in June when our truck breakdown put us behind schedule. The aquarium is run by Sepaq so this is the best opportunity to use up our credits.

Jellyfish

The jellyfish exhibit is very well done with its mesmerizing disply. The dark space of cylindrical tanks with lights that are constantly changing colour, paired with soft background music to create a hypnotic mood. All very peaceful. 

Seahorses 

Soft, smooth skin 

There is an interactive Atlantic stingray touch tank. We can reach in and stroke the soft, smooth skin. They swim very close to the surface and are even begging. Clearly they are hand fed somewhere in their day. 

Begging stingray

Rays swimming by

Diver working inside the tunnel

The 'Grand Ocean Tunnel' allows us to walk through a clear tunnel and view all sorts of multicoloured fish....including this big odd looking species :)

Back on the bikes we back track to the 'Plains of Abraham Trail'. It's an interpretive path that winds up the cliff side connecting the St. Lawrence River level with the Quebec Upper Town and the Plains of Abraham. 

Battle summed up in 2 words - 'risk and surprise'

There are interpretive panels along the way providing historical context on the 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham. In short, General James Wolfe led British troops up the cliffs to defeat General Montcalm's French forces. It was a high-risk gamble for the British that turned out in their favour otherwise the course of Canadian history would have been much different. 

Old cannons from the battle

The Plains of Abraham

Neither commander survived the day to see the ultimate outcome. 

Citadel fortification

The Plains of Abraham lead into the 'Citadel of Quebec', which is a massive, star-shaped military fortress perched atop Cape Diamond overlooking the St. Lawrence River. 

St. Lawrence River views from Citadel

Citadel walls

The British built the fortress between 1820 and 1831 to protect against potential American attacks.  Hmm..history repeats itself? 

It's getting dusk out and we are not dressed warm enough for the cool evening coming on. We head back to the trailer and spend the rest of the night in.