Aug 11 2025 .......New Pics

The past week had us move from Coteau du Lac (west of Montreal) to Port Hood Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. On our last day in Coteau du Lac, we went for a bike ride along the Soulanges Canal and came across the Coteau du Lac National Historical Site, which features Canada’s first lock canal and the remains of a fort. With a history spanning over 7,000 years ago, it was the site of a portage and encampment location used by Indigenous to avoid rapids, a military fortification, and a canal that opened the area for commercial shipping. Pretty cool history. Funny how I appreciate history much more now that I’m getting older myself!

Then it was time to pack up.

Tuesday we drove towards New Brunswick, and stopped for the night east of Levis (across St Lawrence from Quebec City). We spent a few hours Wednesday morning visiting Old Quebec. This is one place on our list to come back to….one day.

The Joan of Arc Garden in the Plains of Abraham was created in 1938. It contains over 140 species of flowers for a total of 21,888 plants. And it smells wonderful!!

Part of the citadel that was built to….guess? Prevent America from invading Canada.

Then we turned a corner onto an old street, Rue Sainte-Ursule, with lots of old buildings, restaurants and apartments. So we had to stop for a quick breakfast.

Then off for more driving to our night stay at Big Axe Brewery, in Nackawic, New Brunswick. The best of all worlds: close to highway (but can’t hear the noise); good beer; good food; great place to dip! As I got instructions from the owner where to park, a customer on the patio asked how she can donate. She didn’t know anything about what we’re doing, just saw “ALS” and wanted to donate. One friend died and another friend is still battling.  Thank you for the donation!

The St John River runs here and is wide, flat and very dark with tannins. Houseboats and ski boats pulling tubes went by. The night was quiet and the morning dip was great. We’ll be back in a few weeks on our way to London Ontario.

Then it was off again. This time, with Woodhaven Campground, Nova Scotia the destination.

While here, Mike did a few trailer repairs. Then we picked up our daughter Sydney, who flew in from Vancouver to join us for a few days and headed off to the location of Race #13 – Port Hood Cape Breton.

The campsite is right on the beach, and where the transition is for the race. We decided we’re only doing races where we can camp nearby. It’s great to walk or ride there in the morning and be close to clean up after.

Race day started off warm and became hot.

It was an ocean swim, and as the current was literally carrying away the markers, the course was changed to keep us out of the big waves and current. I still had a few big mouthfuls of seawater when I breathed just as a big wave was breaking. Oh well, less electrolytes needed on the bike and run! 😊 Mike had a great swim – easy peasy.

Swim Course

We were in transition together, then off on the bike and run. They forgot to tell us that there’re hills in Cape Breton! But the volunteers, our personal cheerer Sydney, and thoughts of people living with  ALS kept us going.

Brenna and her team at Port Hood Triathlon put on a great race, including a yummy post-race meal. I got a surprise 1^st place in my age group! Another sticker can now be added to the Canada map on our trailer.