Summer Vacation - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

I had the opportunity to take a couple of days off, so we headed up to Quebec City to enjoy the sights.  Vieux Quebec (the old city) is simply breath-taking.... truly a place to add to your list of must-see travel destinations!

The Chateau Frontenac is the MOST photographed building in the world, and it is so easy to see why many photographers are drawn to it's medieval architechture.

Standing, looking out at the St. Lawrence River, you can not help but imagine what it must have looked like over 350 years ago when the settlers first started arriving.

Guaranteed to be a vacation richly blended in culture, history, and many, many photographic opportunities!

Scott Kelby's 3rd Annual Worldwide Photowalk was AMAZING!!

We had soo much fun!!

The day started off so-so weather wise - it was gray and drizzling rain.  The weather forecast was favorable, but it was going to be HOT and humid.... they were predicting 100% humidity.

We met at our pre-determined meeting spot and were all quite excited to get going!   I had a few people decide not to participate due to the weather (6), but the rest of us eagerly embraced the hot, humid summer sun.

To be honest, I don't know what I was thinking when I sceduled it from 1-4pm in the middle of July.... but on the "bright" side, it provided a challenge to the photographers!

Out walk took place in a small Quebec town.  We started out in one of the larger parks, and were delighted to find kids playing in a splash park, men playing softball, and teens out on the bike/skate ramps.

We then walked through a couple of residential streets and found our way to the town's cemetary and church. The sun was quite hot at this point and we were delighted to find a cool, shady spot among some giant pines. 

Our next leg was to venture down the town's main road until we arrived at our end point - Isla Zare.    We definately welcomed the cool air and refreshing beverages at the end of your trek.

We had the opportunity to swap cameras in the restaurant to see what everyone had "seen". It really is amazing how different everyone sees the world.   It was a very enjoyable day.... and one that I look forward to again next year!

Early Morning Photo Walk in Ste-Anne's

Well, to be honest, I'm much more of a sunset, as opposed to a sunrise, person.  That said, it was fun to crawl out of bed early this morning to head into Ste-Anne's (which was mostly still sleeping) to take a small photo walk in and around the Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal.  The Canal is a national historic site of Canada, yet one that the locals take for granted.... isn't that always the way?  

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It had been a couple of years since I've taken the time to stroll around the area, and I was shocked to see the water levels so low!  Where once there was water rushing by.... now lay rocks and reeds.... evidence that it has been quite low for some time now.

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It is a very special day when you are given the privilege of celebrating someone's 102nd birthday!

Today, I joined the rest of my family as we celebrated my grandmother's 102nd!  Incredible!

Just as we were about to serve the cake, I grabbed my iphone and "tweeted" a happy birthday message.  It just struck me... here I was uploading a picture of this fabulous lady onto the 'Net... and when she was born every house did not even have indoor plumbing or electricity.  We've all been dazzled over the years with the stories of her childhood and her family's horse "Dick" has become part of our families lore, but I don't think that we really ever sit down and think about all the changes that she has born witness to.

Happy Birthday Grammie.... you are a VERY special lady!