| We drove Rue Royale, AKA Rte 360, one of the | | | | Smaller sculptures were also available at more |
| oldest roads in Canada, built around 1650. Farmers | | | | reasonable prices. |
| owned strips of land from the cliffs to the river. Le | | | | A few more kilometers East is the Shrine of Saint |
| Segneuer (the Governor of the area) commanded | | | | Anne de Beaupre, dedicated to St. Anne, the mother |
| that the farmers build a road on their properties in | | | | of Mary. The original church, destroyed by fire In |
| order to deliver their farmed crops to Quebec City. | | | | 1922, was replaced by a large gothic style one with |
| For a quicker trip through the area drive Rte. 138, | | | | over 240 stained glass windows. Pilgrims have been |
| which runs along the St. Lawrence River. But for a | | | | coming here for over three hundred years to drink |
| sense of history and scenic beauty, Rue Royale is | | | | of the waters from the spring. Numerous crutches |
| the preferred choice. All along the road are homes | | | | and canes attest to the miracles, which have |
| from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, from the | | | | occurred. When I was there forty years ago, I |
| simple thatch roof houses, to the mansard roofs with | | | | remembered it as something different. The reason is |
| lips to help remove the snow, Victorian mansions also | | | | that the shrine was still under construction and was |
| dot the road. | | | | not completed until 1976. Also on the property are |
| Not to be missed along the way is the Interpretive | | | | the Santa Scalla, reputed to be a replica of the steps |
| Center in Chateau-Richer, where a docent retells the | | | | which Jesus climbed to see Pontius Pilate. Pilgrims |
| four hundred year history of the area using models | | | | climb these steps on their knees saying a short |
| to illustrate her presentation. Many of the buildings | | | | prayer on each one. A life sized Way of the Cross, |
| she talks about are still on the road. The Center is | | | | molded in bronze winds its way up a steep hill. Across |
| housed in an old convent, erected in 1903. This is the | | | | the road is a free dry camping area for the pilgrims. |
| third convent, or school, built on the site. The | | | | It sits on the shore of the St. Lawrence River. |
| foundations from the original one erected in 1694 are | | | | A few more kilometers East is the town of St. |
| still visible in the basement. | | | | Joachim, one of the oldest farming communities in |
| Further East is the Sugar Shack, a small farm, which | | | | Quebec Province. St. Joachim happens to be the |
| produces different organic maple sugar products. The | | | | father of Mary. This is not mentioned in the Bible, |
| owner explains the methods of sugar collection. It is | | | | but in one of the apocrypha. The original church, |
| not the sap which is collected, but the sugar water, | | | | burned by the British, was replaced in 1779. An audio |
| which flows when there is a freeze and a thaw on | | | | presentation gives a history of the parish and the |
| the same day. This can go one for about a week | | | | artwork in the church. In the same area is the Cap |
| until the sap flows. The sugar water is then boiled | | | | Tourmente Wildlife refuge, a stopover for the |
| down to make syrup, jellies, mustard, and vinegar. Of | | | | migratory snow geese and other birds returning from |
| course samples are available and a purchase is always | | | | their winter vacation South. |
| welcomed. We bought some mustard and vinegar. | | | | Back to the main highway, Rte 138 is the Mount |
| They also gave us some interesting recipes. They | | | | Anne Canyon and Falls. For a fee you can take the |
| ship to anywhere in the world. | | | | tram and visit the falls and canyon with many |
| A few more kilometers down the road is the Atelier | | | | suspension bridges overlooking the falls. If you stay |
| Pare, a museum of woodcarvings of the different | | | | on Rte 360 you will find Mount Ste. Anne ski resort |
| legends of the French Canadians. Although the original | | | | and the Interpretation center of the Les Sept Falls, |
| sculpturer died a few years ago, his work continues | | | | part of the hydroelectric plant for the region. |
| on in the open workshop, which is opened for | | | | Admission fees are required to visit these sites. |
| viewing. At this time the carver was working on a | | | | Overall we traveled about 100 miles touring this |
| large piece of a view of the Chateau Frontenac in | | | | beautiful area of the Laurentian Mountains and the |
| Quebec City. A similar piece was selling for $7,000.00. | | | | coastal river plains. |