Old City of Quebec

As most of you know, we ran away to Quebec, Canada over Labor Day weekend. I have over 100 photos from this trip (doesn't count the ones I deleted to free up memory in my camera) and a slew of stories. I'm going to have to do this in parts. Now don't panic, I'm only sharing some of the photos and a few tales.

For the next few days.

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Quebec City is perhaps best known for the walls surrounding the old city along the banks of the St. Lawrence River.

Yup, the St. Lawrence River from the 21st floor of our hotel.

The first day we're in Quebec City (the province or state it is in is also called Quebec, like New York City in New York State) we always walk past the provincial government buildings and walk through the old walls.

On the lookout atop the old wall.

The Old City is divided between an upper and lower sections. You can go between the two areas with lots of stairs (lots of steep stairs) or on a funicular.

We take the funicular.

Riding down to the lower section.

One thing we love about Quebec City is its playgrounds. Big climbing structures that let our kids go high into the sky.

Thar she blows!

For several years we do the same thing for morning snack on the first day. We buy ice cream at 10am. And every year the kids act like it is the greatest, most amazing thing in the world. They also wonder what happened to their parents because their real parents would never, ever buy them a treat before lunch!

Post-ice cream stroll.

While riding back up on the funicular (remember those stairs) one of our guys gave a detailed explanation of how it works (with much 7-year-old creativity and a smattering of reality). A fellow rider nudged me and said "He's going to be an engineer."

Going back up.

And our daughter is going to be a huckster. She was enthralled with every street performer in the city.

And there were a lot of them.

Drawn to the music.

Tomorrow: we stumbled upon the Mayor's funeral.

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Be sure to check Jenn's and my photo site all this week. Not only does Jenn have some great images but we have a guest on Wednesday. Oh, and I picked my favorite Quebec photos to go there.