Montreal

We drove the three hours from Quebec to Montreal, enjoying more of the St. Lawrence River valley.  We checked into our hotel in downtown Montreal--the Hotel Maritime and have a lovely room on the executive floor.  This was the warmest day we have had so far--85 degrees.

A major landmark in Montreal is Mont Royal--not really a mountain but a hill which dominates the city.  Mont Royal is where the Iroqouis had their settlement and where Jean Cartier came and named it Mont Royal, from which the city's name is derived. We decided to check it out for ourselves.  Our hotel was about a 15 minute walk to the park and then there was a 30 minute walk to the top.  Needless to say we were wishing for some the of the Newfoundland cold we had earlier in our trip. But the hike was worth the huffing and puffing in the heat.  The view of the city was magnificent.

We rewarded our efforts by treating ourselves to a fine French meal at a restaurant with outside dining near our hotel.  The food and the night were perfect--along with the ever present dessert, this time Napoleons.  Diets will have to come when we get to Virginia!