Our Big Fat Canadian Road Trip

For Christmas this year, Rebecca and I decided to embark on a road trip in lieu of gifts.  We didn’t want to just drive anywhere, and we certainly didn’t want to go somewhere we had been numerous times before. So, after giving it a little thought, we decided on one bonanza of a road trip. We were going to make a northbound trek all the way to the French-speaking, European-like city of Quebec. Our big fat Canadian road trip would take us through eight  states, (SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY),  and encompass 1228 miles of open road.

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1,228 miles from Greenville, SC to  Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

On Christmas Eve, after working an abbreviated shift,  we packed up my 2003 BMW X5, put on some holiday music, and began our yuletide drive. The trip began without a hitch and by midnight I was already passing  through Gettysburg, Pa.   I managed to drive two hours more before deciding on a little shut-eye at a Maryland rest stop.

Early  Christmas morning, with over 600 miles already under my belt, I pulled away from the rest area and continued my drive north. We were in New Jersey and bordering New York when I first began to hear it.  The transmission in my car started making a horrible grinding noise, like metal against metal, particularly when switching into lower gears.

By the time we reached Albany, NY, my BMW was giving out some serious audible warnings. While I’m no mechanic, I understood  that I wasn’t making it more than a few additional miles. Being that it was Christmas Day, and every service station was closed, we got on the phone with Thrifty, acquired a rental, and parked my disabled vehicle in the parking lot of a hotel.

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Rebecca moving luggage from our disabled vehicle into a rental.

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A rest stop in the Adirondack Mountains, NY

Though the thought of a looming car repair hung heavily on my mind, I did my best to put my troubles behind me and stay committed to our predetermined course.

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Our Border Crossing into Canada on Christmas Day

Despite breaking down and ditching my vehicle in the middle of New York, we were still successful in making the Canadian border before nightfall on Christmas Day.  In just three short hours after leaving the United States, we were entering the fortified, colonial city of Quebec.

These are some of our favorite pictures of our big fat Canadian road trip. I hope you enjoy the ride.

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Beautiful wintry scene at a rest stop in Quebec Province, Canada

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Standing outside our bed & breakfast, Chez Marie-Claire

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The best part of our big fat Canadian road trip was reaching our final destination.

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Cans of maple syrup dress the window of this shop.

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Rebecca stops for a picture outside the colorful  C’ Est Si Bon candy shop.

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A view of the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec

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The interior of the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec

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Monument of Francois de Laval – first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec

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A line of cannons point out towards the St. Lawrence River near the Citadel of Quebec.

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Old Quebec City set against the mighty St. Lawrence River

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A red cross marks the fortress wall surrounding Old Quebec.

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 Le Chateau Frontenac in all her glory.

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Big John poses at the foot of the Champlain monument.

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The House of Parliament covered in a fresh blanket of snow.

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All the statues behind me were striking a pose so it seemed like the thing to do.

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The Parliament Hill Monument

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Rebecca and I pose in front of the monument to the first nations.

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Lt. Colonel Charles De Salaberry guarding the frozen grounds.

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Just outside the fortress walls of the old city.

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Ice skating in front of the Palais Montcalm

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There is no better way to enjoy our big fat Canadian road trip than craft beers – Canadian style!

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Preparations for the annual winter carnival (Carnaval de Quebec)

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Entrance to the Plains of Abraham (historic Canadian battlefield)

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A snow plow clearing the road leading out of the walled old city.

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Through rain, sleet, or snow, the horse carriage in Old Quebec is always on the go.

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Our big fat Canadian road trip continues on via horse and buggy.

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More wintery scenes of our big fat Canadian road trip.

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The flags were waving outside the Hotel Clarendon.

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The city hall of Quebec was all aglow.

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Christmas in Quebec is a magical occasion.

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Rebecca at the Chateau Frontenac

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The chateau looked so sinister under the cold and dark skies.

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Rebecca just adored this little Christmas shepherd!

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I loved that purple glow against the cobblestone streets and snow.

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The Musee du Port is a unique museum chronicling the military history of Quebec.

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The Aux Anciens Canadiens restaurant was the very picture of Christmas inside  a winter wonderland.

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More festive window displays in the old city.

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Christmas time in the cobblestone streets of Quebec’s Place-Royale

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This immense mural known as Fresque des Quebecois brings the history of Place-Royale to life.

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Our last night before leaving the enchanted City of Quebec.

My auto repairs are turning out even more costly than I could’ve imagined. BMW transmissions certainly don’t come cheap these days. In spite of it all, our big fat Canadian road trip was one fun-filled, hell of an adventure. Now, if I could just get my car up and running again, I might embark on another roadtrip without breaking down! Thank you for reading my article and I hope you will visit my site again real soon. Feel free to explore other areas of my blog, post a comment, and show some love on social media.

Happy travels,

Big John

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