Wanderboomer

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

BY Nancy Mueller 5 Comments ON July 29, 2015

How to Make the Most of Your Great Escape to Charlevoix, Québec

Parc national des Grands-Jardins

The more I travel to Québec, Canada, the longer I want to stay . . . From following the culinary trail in Montréal, to celebrating Winter Carnival in Québec City, to sampling the restorative spas in Lanaudière and Mauricie . . .

For my latest exploration, I’m off to the charming Charlevoix region an hour northeast of Québec City for a few days of summer play. Infused with the natural beauty of a mountainous landscape, plus the immensity of the St. Lawrence River (Fleuve Saint-Laurent), the area attracts outdoor enthusiasts, art & culture lovers and passionate foodies.

Recreational adventures abound here – hiking, biking, kayaking, whale-watching, and star-gazing, with plenty of culinary discoveries and comfortable lodgings along the way – making Charlevoix, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the perfect getaway for traveling solo, with friends or family.

Take a Hike and Discover the Via Ferrata.

Hotel Le Germain Charlevoix

After an overnight stay and tasty breakfast at Québec City’s Hôtel Royal William in the trendy New St-Roch district, we’re off on our road trip to discover the wonders of Charlevoix. Upon arrival, we drop our bags at Hôtel Le Germain Charlevoix, our home-away-from-home for the night. Contemporary in style, the hotel combines artistic, urban sophistication with country ambiance, in a nod to its cultural and historical roots.

Hiking Parc national des Grands-Jardins

Following a lunch that features flavors of the region, we head out for a light afternoon hike at Parc national des Grands-Jardins. My first clue that our planned activity entails a bit more than light hiking comes when we meet our guide who offers helmets and harnesses for our venture. Uh-oh.

Waivers signed, we start our hike, pausing occasionally to take in the spellbinding views and snap a few photos, and for some of us to catch our breath. Made it!

But wait – our guide leads us to the “Practice Rock,” the first step to the via ferrata circuit on the Mont du Lac des Cygnes. Uh-oh, again.

via ferrata Tourisme Quebec

Way too slowly, it dawns on me: Via ferrata. Translation: “Iron Way.” Ohhh. Now I get it. Mountain climbing, of sorts, with cables and clips and pegs, oh my! Where’s my high school French when I need it?

Willing to keep an open mind for the promise of spectacular views on a safe itinerary, I give it a go, but within a few upward steps, I learn my limit while translating the phrase, “Geez Louise” to my Quebecois host. Instead, I opt to take the trail back down to the lodge and wait for the others to follow. But for other wanderboomers in our group, the via ferrata proves irresistible. Challenging, sure, but ultimately rewarding. The rest of us applaud their accomplishment as we head to Le Saint-Pub Microbrewery in the heart of Baie-Saint-Paul to celebrate. Cheers!

Go Kayaking on Rivière du Gouffre.

With the new dawn comes a new adventure – river kayaking! After a short, hands-on demo on how to hold and use our paddles, our small group of single and double kayaks heads out on our 6 km (roughly 3.7 miles) expedition. Easy whitewaters and shallow waters make for a fun outing for novice and experienced kayakers alike as we descend down the Rivière du Gouffre to Baie-Saint-Paul.

A few beachings, seaweed entanglements and waves of laughter later, we thank our guide for the chance to explore beautiful Charlevoix from the water’s edge.

Bike Around Isle-aux-Coudres.

After a quick stop to pick up boxed lunches, we board the ferry to Isle-aux-Coudres for our next outdoor adventure, a bike tour of the island, with a few planned stops along the way. My Charlevoix host sets the pace on our tandem bike as we pedal along on the flat, country roads while enjoying the soft summer air and scenic views.

Before long we arrive at our first destination: Les Moulins de L’Isle-aux-Coudres, the unique site of an authentic working watermill, restored windmill and miller’s residence. We watch as guides demonstrate how wheat and buckwheat are ground into flour at the mill, explaining the process in both French and English.

All that biking worked up a thirst! Fortunately, we happen to be close to a cidery, Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault, the next stop on our island tour. Our cider tastings include several of the cidery’s award-winning artisan apple, pear, plum and Saskatoon berry products. Yum!

Discover Innovative Regional Cuisine.

Dining at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu

Charlevoix is a food lover’s paradise easily discovered by following the region’s Flavor Trail from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to La Malbaie. Over 40 regional growers, producers and chefs welcome visitors along the trail with delicious gourmet treats like artisan breads and pastries, pates, charcuterie, chocolate, honey, duck, pork, cheese, ciders and beer.

Playing Golf at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu

After our afternoon adventure on the Isle-aux-Coudres, we check in at the historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu overlooking the St. Lawrence River in La Malbaie. On site, we continue our regional and classical cuisine discoveries at Le Charlevoix Restaurant with Executive Chef, Patrick Turcot, who introduces us to delectable trout carpaccio from les Eboulements, pan-seared scallops and foie gras with calvados and apple crisp, seared crab salad and red pepper cream and maple salmon gravlax, puffed quinoa salad and roasted almonds. Time to go hiking, biking and kayaking again!

Enjoy a Night of Star-gazing.

What better evening entertainment than a star-gazing session at the Astronomy Observatory (Observatoire Astronomique)? In partnership with the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, the observatory invites guests to search the skies with specialized telescopes under the guidance of scientifically-trained staff. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of a scale model of the solar system by following a 3 km (just under 2 miles) trail along the St. Lawrence River.

Curious about the landscape and geology of the region? Through exhibits and lectures at the observatory, you can learn how the impact of a 15 billion tons’ meteorite that hit 350 million years ago created the mountainous character of Charlevoix.

Take a Whale-watching Zodiac Cruise.

Whale watching Quebec

On our last day in Charlevoix, we’re all suited-up in weather-resistant gear and ready to start our whale-watching adventure for the chance to see blue, fin, minke, humpback and beluga whales at play. In calm waters, before long we spot several seals near our boat while holding out hope for whale sightings. Success! Not only do we see several fin and minke, but our naturalist on board points to the horizon where a couple of belugas are swimming near shore. Moments later, a mama and baby beluga pass our zodiac where earlier we had watched one whale shoot towards our zodiac like a torpedo, only to veer away at the last moment. Wow.

Hop Aboard the Train Léger de Charlevoix.

Train Leger de Charlevoix

As we near the end of our Charlevoix journey, we have time for one more excursion before returning to Québec City: a rail cruise via The Charlevoix Light Rail Transit. Fun. Easy. Relaxing. We wind our way along the shoreline, mesmerized by views of the stunning river and mountain landscape, daydreaming about our unforgettable Charlevoix adventure.

View from Train Leger de Charlevoix

Many thanks to Tourisme Québec for hosting our days of summer play in Charlevoix!

For more information visit:

Lodging:
Hotel Royal William
Hôtel Le Germain Charlevoix
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
Hôtel Chateau Laurier Québec

Activities:
Parc national des Grands-Jardins
Katabatik
Vélo-Coudres
Croisieres AML
Les Moulins de L’Isle-aux-Coudres
Train Leger de Charlevoix

Eateries & Cidery:
Le Saint-Pub Microbrewery
Resto-Boutique La Table
Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault
Pains d’Exclamation
Café Chez Nous

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What’s your favorite place to visit in Quebec? 

Filed Under: Activities, Alabama, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Canada, Destinations, Hiking, Québec Tagged With: Biking, Charlevoix, hiking, kayaking, Québec, St. Lawrence River, star gazing, via ferrata, whale-watching

BY Nancy Mueller 7 Comments ON April 3, 2014

Pack Light with Favorite Travel Items – Part II

Electronics

I received so many helpful responses to the question I posed to fellow travelers, “How do you pack light?” that devoting only one blog post to the topic wasn’t enough to cover everyone’s packing suggestions. So in addition to Favorite Travel Items to Lighten Your Luggage, here are a few more ideas to keep you traveling light:

Electronics

“iPad with separate Bluetooth keyboard (instead of a laptop). Will still tote along a digital point and shoot camera, but to be honest, I could probably get by just using my iPhone 5 (and do, at least for video).” – Dick Jordan, talestoldfromtheroad.

“iPhone – replaces a number of functions, whether or not you have a local SIM card (think cached maps, compass, guidebook, e-book reader). Also, the powerbank to help charge it.” – Chris Backe, oneweirdglobe.

“Laptop, camera, Kindle. That’s it!” – Aleah Phils, solitarywanderer.

“Kindle Paperwhite!” – Christina Pivarnik, enjoypt.

“Portable light for illuminating dishes and beverages in a low light situation. My light fits in the small zipper compartment of my purse, weighs about 3 ounces and is the size of a credit card.” – Linda Kissam, TheWineChixs.

“Olloclip for iPhone. It allows me to skip taking my big camera at certain times.” – Troy Petenbrink, metroweekly.

“A universal charging cord!” – Roger Paige, thefocusedtraveler.

“My 11″ Macbook Air is my number 1 indispensable travel item!” – Keri Reid, skigypsy.

“My iPod so I don’t have to listen to anything I don’t want to on planes. I use Skull Candy headphones. $10-$15 and I can’t hear anything beyond my music…and they come in pretty colors!” – Kristin Kendle, wanderlustandlipstick.

“If possible, going from a laptop to tablet is a very wise choice. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 in Feb. and although I do need to use the laptop for a few things, I am 96% using the tablet for work. I love it and cant say enough about how it has simplified tasks for me that I used to hate doing.” – Eden Rudin, reallytrulyliving.

Miscellaneous

“Always carry Duct tape- for fixing a crack in a suitcase, wrapping wine bottles so they won’t break, and once I used it to keep a car trunk down that wouldn’t close.” – Debi Lander, bylandersea.

“I’ve had a plastic spork/spoon/knife in my bag for at least 5 years- cost $5.00 at Eddie Bauer, but is unbreakable and comes in handy eating anywhere outside of a restaurant!” – Kelli Mutchler, goneworkabout.

“I always include the Dream Essentials Escape Luxury Sleep Mask. I bought it to travel with but now sleep with it every night. I can’t sleep without it and it’s wonderful eye holes.” – David DiGregorio, stylehiclub.

“I know it sounds weird but I always bring a clipboard. Especially if we have several places in a row that we’re visiting. I keep all the reservation info clipped to it. It’s easy to slip into the back of my bag, next to a magazine or book and Super easy to find when I need it.” – Tiffany Pitts, snickerpants.

“Moleskine notebooks and Fisher pen.” – Nan Devlin, avidtraveler.

Travel Buddies

Spuddy

” Spuddy . . . travel yoga mat.” – Gayle McCarthy.

 

Pirate Monkey

“Pirate Monkey!!” – Amy Trotter.

Wander on!

Nancy

What are your favorite travel items, wanderboomers? How do you pack light?

 

Filed Under: By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Travel Accessories, Travel Tips Tagged With: camera, duct tape, electronics, iPad, iPhone, Kindle, laptop, MacBook Air, Moleskine

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON July 29, 2013

Seafair: Seattle’s Favorite Summer Festival

Seafair Penticton Peach Float
Since the 1950’s, Seafair has ruled as Seattle’s favorite summer festival spanning several weeks. For most Seattleites, Seafair traditions include the Blue Angels, hydroplane races on Lake Washington and the Torchlight Parade. Even smaller neighborhood events like the Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake and the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival are all part of the fun.

Seafair Rock This Town Float

The celebrations kick off with the crowning of King Neptune and the Queen of the Seas (now named Miss Seafair). But where would we be without the Seafair pirates to add a bit of mischief? After their customary landing at Alki Beach in West Seattle, the pirates pop up all summer (and now even throughout the year), playing pranks around the city. Like the time a few pirates entered a local pub, pulled up a couple of chairs and invited themselves to join a few patrons at their table. Turns out the patrons were tourists and had no idea what the heck was going on. Even better!

Unfortunately, the Blue Angels won’t be the headliners at this year’s festival, due to federal budget cuts. But the air-show must go on. The Patriots Jet Team, a six-plane aerobatic group, has stepped in fill the void for Seafair Weekend, Friday August 2nd – Sunday August 4th.

To learn more about the history of Seattle’s most popular summer festival, head to MOHAI (The Museum of History and Industry) on Free First Thursday, August 1st. If you arrive between 11AM and 1PM, you might even get the chance to practice the royal wave with Miss Seafair herself.

MOHAI

For more information, be sure to check out the Seafair calendar of events.

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s your favorite summer festival, wanderboomers?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Entertainment, Festivals, Seattle, Washington State Tagged With: Blue Angels, Miss Seafair, MOHAI, Patriots Jet Team, Seafair, Seafair Pirates, Seattle, summer festivals

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON June 28, 2013

Tightwads on the Loose – A Spirited Sailing Adventure

Covershot of Tightwads on the Loose by Wendy Hinman

Tightwads on the Loose, Wendy Hinman’s engaging, fast-paced memoir, shares an important lesson: “The weather trumps all plans.”

Breaking Away

Tightwads on the Loose Garth and Wendy Hinman

To quell their restless spirits, Hinman and her husband Garth embark on a seven year Pacific odyssey aboard their 31-foot sailboat, Velella, named for tiny jellyfish-like creatures propelled by prevailing winds. The author traces their route from Seattle to Japan via Mexico, French Polynesia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, with layover (planned and otherwise) destinations in between.

Life at Sea

Tightwads on the Loose Cave Swimming

Hinman paints enticing descriptions of days “filled with snorkels, hikes and books instead of meetings, deadlines and email” and shipwreck dives in the Philippines. Images like: “Under a starry sky, the tropical air thick with the scent of plumeria and papaya . . .” had me packing my bags to join in her vagabond lifestyle.

But experienced open-water sailors will identify with the ebb and flow of Hinman’s seagoing tale. Her adventures fluctuate from daydreaming days bobbing on calm, cerulean waters to terrifying moments of close-call catastrophes. Yet the yin yang rhythm of Hinman’s journey is exactly what she loves about cruising, accepting that she couldn’t “just choose the good parts.” She reminds readers that life’s great adventures lie just outside our comfort zone.

Tightwads on the Loose Mexico Wendy Hinman at Honeymoon Cove

By settling for an easy life, we risk boredom. We also lose the chance to grow from facing unexpected challenges. After her miscalculation nearly results in a mid-ocean collision, Garth empathizes: “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.”

Learning by Living

At its heart, Tightwads on the Loose reveals a journey of self-discovery. Hinman learns to rock climb, rappel and “run zip lines across deep canyons” in a temporary position as a tour guide. But her inner discoveries run even deeper.

She adapts to a 24/7 relationship with Garth, her opposite in social needs. And time becomes her most precious gift: time to ponder life choices made consciously or by default; time to appreciate people’s interconnectedness despite language and cultural differences; time to affirm what brings her alive. Priceless lessons by any measure.

Coming Home

Tightwads on the Loose Wendy Hinman in Japan

Having had such soul-enriching experiences after a life at sea for seven years, how did wander woman Hinman feel about rebuilding her life back on land? Apprehensive. With Garth’s transition into a new job, Hinman felt the loss both of his daily companionship and a clear goal for herself.

Thankfully for us, Hinman’s on-board journals set the stage for her next great adventure: published author of her compelling memoir, Tightwads on the Loose, with a sequel in the works.

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s your favorite sailing adventure, wanderboomers?

Postscript

The deeper my roots grow in the Pacific Northwest, the more I discover how many intrepid, awe-inspiring women live here. In occasional future Friday posts, I’ll share their stories with you. On “Fearless Women Fridays,” I hope their stories will inspire you to chart a path of your own remarkable adventures.

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Cruising, Destinations, Travel Experiences Tagged With: adventure, memoir, sailing, self-discovery, Tightwads on the Loose, tropics, weather, Wendy Hinman

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON June 12, 2013

The Dalles: Family-Friendly Vacation Destination

Here’s why The Dalles, a mere 84 miles east of Portland, Oregon, gets my vote for an ideal vacation destination:

1) Spectacular Scenery

ViewofTheDalles

Want to explore a visually stunning byway? Meander along the magnificent Columbia River as it winds its way from Portland to The Dalles, Oregon to see what I mean.

ViewfromMaryhillMuseum

Go on a cruise or drive along the Columbia River Gorge. Take several hours or several days to experience a variety of vistas and activities.

2) Recreational Activities

What kinds of activities? The Columbia River Gorge creates a natural wind tunnel favored by windsurfers, for starters. Also, outdoor enthusiasts love the easy access to camping grounds, hiking and biking trails  in The Dalles.

HikinginTheDalles

On my late May visit I enjoyed a windy wildflower walk through the Tom McCall Preserve.  A guided hike and tour of historic petroglyphs at Horse Thief Lake State Park came next. To view the petroglyphs which Native Americans consider sacred, visitors must be accompanied by a park ranger.

3) Historical Districts & Landmarks

Start at The Discovery Center and Museum for an overview of the area’s historical and cultural influences. The museum’s inspired award-winning design takes full advantage of its natural setting next to the Columbia River.

TheDallesDiscoveryCenter

Spend several hours wandering through the exhibits, like an early 19th century town and the cargo of Lewis & Clark. View a raptor presentation and take time to stroll the museum grounds. How many of the 40 identified native plant species can you find?

4) Art Murals & Museums

The Dalles’ downtown display of Murals combines art and history by illustrating stories of famous historical events. Purchase a key at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce to activate a talking box at most locations for a voice-recorded description of the events.

MaryhillMuseumofArt

Maryhill Museum of Art stands out on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River on the Washington State side of The Dalles. Originally, railroad executive Samuel Hill intended the building as his hilltop mansion. But its remote location and heavy construction costs derailed his ambitious plans.

Today the museum features works by Auguste Rodin and Orthodox icons contributed by the Queen of Romania. The collection also includes European and American paintings and artifacts of indigenous people of North America.

When you’re ready for a break from viewing the collection, head outside for lunch. Picnic under a canopy of trees on the grounds or on the café deck overlooking the Columbia River.

5) Downtown Shopping

Downtown The Dalles has a treasure in Klindt’s Bookseller’s, the oldest bookstore in Oregon.

PNWBookDisplayatKlindt'sBookstore

First opened in 1870, today the bookstore retains original floors, cabinets and bookshelves – and maybe even the ghost of Edna Weigelt who owned and operated the store from 1927 until her death in 2003. Pay a visit to find out for yourself . . .

I also love to discover unique shops that carry a little bit of everything because you never know what you might need until you see it. Am I right? Happily, you’ll find what you didn’t know you needed at Cowgirl Bloomers, right next door to Klindt’s Bookstore.

CowgirlBloomersinTheDalles

Still so much more to discover in The Dalles . . .

Summer’s just a hop, skip and jump away! Where will you go to play this summer, Wanderboomers?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Hiking, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Portland, The Dalles, Travel Experiences, WA, Washington State Tagged With: Columbia River Gorge, Klindt's Bookstore, Lewis & Clark, Maryhill Museum of Art, recreational activities, The Dalles, The Discovery Center and Museum, Tom McCall preserve, vacation destination

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 16
  • Next Page »
Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
For travel tips, news & inspiration in our Wanderboomer newsletter, subscribe here.

Destination:

  • North America
  • South America
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Africa

Categories:

  • Business
  • Family
  • Purpose
  • Writing

© 2023 · Wanderboomer. Terms and Conditons | Sitemap | Contact · Site by Wordpress Barista