by Rosalie Knogler –
When Mom was 85 and I was 60, I took her on a trip. She’d never travelled much because of Dad’s health issues. After he died, Mom had emergency heart surgery and felt like her life was over. I thought differently, so said I’d take her anywhere in the world she wanted to go. My nine siblings thought I was crazy! We flew from Saskatoon to Toronto, only the second time Mom had been on a plane. Seeing the CN Tower and Niagara Falls from the air was exciting.
In Montreal we stayed in beautiful Old Town, in a modern hotel. Our first night we ate in a restaurant built in 1688. We walked and explored; tried beer, wines, French food and pub fare; and ate ice cream along the waterfront. Notre Dame Basilica was uplifting, as was the magical view from Mt. Royal, and we visited my daughter in her ethnic neighbourhood.
Chateau Ramzey was impressive. This home, built in 1705, features a museum, gift shop, restaurant and garden. Another day we explored Bonsecours Market with handcrafted items. Nearby, Bonsecours Church had small replica ships hanging from the ceiling. After a wild taxi ride, Mom enjoyed a massage at our hotel spa and later she sent her first-ever email to let family know we were doing great.
Next day was a train trip to beautiful Quebec City. Our 350-year-old hotel was across from historic Chateau Frontenac. The room had a fireplace and modern bathroom, and there was a wonderful restaurant and outdoor patio. Mom was thrilled when buskers performed songs she and Dad had loved.
What a fabulous city this is, with history, art, churches and museums. We took a carriage ride around town and to the Plains of Abraham. The hotel had no elevator and the cobblestone streets were bumpy, so we abandoned Mom’s walker. Street artists were everywhere and I bought a painting. We tried tourtières at a restaurant, but agreed that Mom’s meat pies are better! A highlight was Château Frontenac high tea with a lovely view across the river. Later we took a tour of this iconic hotel, which even has beehives on the roof, and learned the tales of famous people.
The following day was a bus trip. Mom watched through a telescope as I hiked above Montmorency Falls. We visited magnificent Île d’Orléans, where Mom’s ancestors settled in the 1650s. Next a maple farm, an art gallery and a chocolatier. Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (a church) had interesting art, mosaics, and stories of crutches and canes abandoned after people experienced cures. When we came outside it was pouring rain; Mom joked we’d been baptised!
Another excursion was a funicular to Lower Town and ferry across the river to Lévis, where other ancestors settled. A stone cairn marks their farm. I’m writing a book about an ancestor, a Fille du Roi (King’s Daughter) in 1663.
Back in Montreal, we boarded the Canadian Empress, a replica steamship, for a cruise along the St Lawrence, starting in Lachine. We enjoyed meals, music and drinks on the cruise and meeting other passengers. Our cabin with fold-out beds was just steps away from the lounge.
New adventures included a miniature train to Upper Canada Village, made up of buildings moved when the St Lawrence was widened. There was a wagon ride to the many homes, stores, blacksmith shop and doctor’s office. People were dressed in costumes, doing farm work, baking and quilting.
Gliding through the Thousand Islands was magical, seeing pretty cottages on the islands, as well as Millionaire’s Row with the mansions of rich families. The autumn trees and sunsets were stunning.
As we went through the locks, squeezed in beside sailboats and freighters, you could be inside or on the sundeck. We saw a crew member throwing a paper bag up to the lockmaster. Drugs? No … baked goods from the chef! We visited the wheelhouse and Mom steered the boat.
All tours were included. Fort Wellington had re-enactments of military life and wars and historic Brockville had an interesting museum. Thousand Islands Tower had amazing views for miles. In Kingston, on our final day, we rode a trolly past historic homes before flying home.
Mom and I still talk about this trip that meant so much to us. You’re never too old to have fun and experience new things!
