Overview
On Friday, October 6, 2017, we started the day by driving up to Jacques-Cartier National Park to do some hiking. Later that afternoon, we returned to the Lower City to continue our exploration.
Jacques-Cartier National Park
The drive up to Jacques-Cartier National Park took about TBD hours. During the drive, it became clear that over just the few of days since we had driven the same route back from Saguenay, the leaves changed color pretty significantly.
On the drive to the Visitors Center inside the park, we stopped by a still lake to take a few photos of the foliage.
- iPhone 6, 4.15 mm, f/2.2, 1/620 seconds, ISO 32
- iPhone 6, 4.15 mm, f/2.2, 1/620 seconds, ISO 32
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/5, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
- Reflection – Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/8, 1/400 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/4, 1/250 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/4, 1/250 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/9, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/9, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/9, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/8, 1/250 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 seconds, ISO 400
We hiked until about 2:00 pm. Then we drove back to Quebec City, arriving around 3:30 pm.
Exploring the Old Town
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain began the construction of the first permanent settlement in New France. That settlement included a small fort at the foot of Cap Diamant (the location of Montmorency Park). To support the fort, merchants created a public square, then called Place du Marche. And in 1686, a bust of Louis XIV (the Sun King) was erected in the square, and the square was renamed Place Royale.
Around 1860, commercial activity in the area began to decline. And in that time, this public square retook its former name, Place du Marche. By 1950, one of the oldest commercial districts in North America had become poor and rundown. But in the 1960’s, efforts were undertaken to rehabilitate this part of the Old City, and the earlier name was restored.
- Place Royale, Quebec City – Nikon D500 RAW, 10 mm, f/9, 1/320 seconds, ISO 400
While Patty went off shopping, I had some time on my own, so I stopped at Pub des Borgia for a Guinness stout, a shot of Tap 357 Canadian Maple Rye Whisky, and a cup of Borgia’s famous French Onion Soup.
- Nikon D500 RAW, 20 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 seconds, ISO 2000
- Nikon D500 RAW, 20 mm, f/4.5, 1/250 seconds, ISO 2000
As I was hiking through Parc de la Cetiere, I came upon a wedding photo shoot in front of the Mural of Quebecers.
Ruins of My 10th Great Grandparents’ Home
On the Cap Diamant, on the grounds of the Seminary of Quebec, stands the partial ruins of home of Louis Hebert and Marie Rollet. It took a little searching, but as light was fading, I found them. Luckily I brought my Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight and a remote control. A light stand would have been nice also, but you can’t bring everything!
- Nikon D500 RAW, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/400 seconds, ISO 400
- Nikon D500 RAW, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/160 seconds, ISO 400
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