Saint Lawrence River Seaway

Old Sep 24th, 2017, 04:09 PM
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Saint Lawrence River Seaway

I need some help please. My husband and I are planning a trip within the next month or so along the Saint Lawrence River Seaway. We are not sure whether to go along the US side or perhaps along the Canadian side. Trip Advisor had mixed reviews on U.S. side. We would travel from Toronto and on from there if we choose the Canadian side. I don't have huge amounts of time to try and google and read and plan and stumbled across this site and thought perhaps I could ask opinions of the best time to travel and where to stop, stay along the way and the best sites to see. I am also a rock hound so would enjoy stopping along Lake Ontario, etc. to look. We normally go to the UP of Michigan and spend time on Lake Superior, but wanting to try something different and perhaps see the leaves before they drop, not sure when the best time in Canada would be for that. Any suggestions would be so very much appreciated! Thank you!
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 10:22 AM
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How far up are you inclined to travel along the St. Lawrence?

I was quite surprised and charmed by the path along the river between Montreal and Quebec (City)... but no matter what you do, go OFF of the main highways, and travel the smaller highways through those communities.

I would suggest doing just that even if you don't get farther up than Montreal, or wherever.

But the little towns in QC often have churches that seem so majestic... and while I'm not even religious, I was so impressed by their apparent community values.

Now obviously Montreal and Quebec (city) have plenty to see and do, but at best, and on the fastest roads, it is 9 1/2 hours to drive from Toronto to Quebec (city), and that doesn't even allow for using the smaller highways or for stopping here or there.


I don't know enough about the area further to the west on the St. Lawrence to compare the two for you, but maybe you haul ass to get as far as you can, and only then treasure the areas along the St. Lawrence once you're up far enough so that it is Canada on both sides.


PS - I long for the days when I was taught, in school, about the St Lawrence Seaway... and for it now being just a river, it doesn't quite seem so awe inspiring. Although the views from upper Quebec City can bring out some of that awe.
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Old Sep 26th, 2017, 09:16 AM
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Thank you for the information. I am all about taking smaller highways as you always experience so much more that way. My husband is hesitant of going to Quebec even though we have traveled in several of the provinces over the years. I think it is because of all the French. I think he thinks that is all they speak and we will have trouble communicating. I told him we didn't have to stay in Quebec, but could make the drive through it along the seaway. The churches sound amazing. What you didn't know when you typed that is that I have a collection of church pictures from all of the places we have been on our travels. I love the old churches especially and there are many majestic ones to see out there.
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Old Oct 1st, 2017, 06:13 PM
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(contemplating the French concern...)


Indeed I recall once having stopped in a pizza place in Riviere-du-loup and still managing just fine despite a woman who spoke no English, and with me speaking no French.


And the sort of immersion of which you speak is such that you're never more than a tank of gas from New York (of all places) if the French immersion somehow becomes unbearable.


I recall a McDonald's in Sherbrooke, where my mind thought it ordered just a McMuffin and a drink... and where some sweet, French lass approached my table to say: "you forgot your {pause}... hash browns".


(I was sorta glad she approached me, even though I hadn't perceived myself to have ordered hash browns)

Anyway, you really CAN thrive even if you get to have some of those communication challenges.

(I even recall young French-speaking people who were happy to have reason to converse in English outside of a classroom there in Quebec)

(and Montreal is almost a disappointment to those looking for French immersion... as English is everywhere)


(more clarity: MY church observations along the St. Lawrence in QC entailed seeing random-ish homes... in various spots, and then noticing the churches in the same towns seeming relatively elaborate and uniquely constructed relative to the other structures in the areas.)


Maybe your awareness will be greater than mine, and it is possible that you won't be as awe-struck by churches you see.


I think you should not resist Quebec for reasons of the French challenges you anticipate there.
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