After a sweltering night at Ile a' Pinard, but fortunately no bugs, we weighed anchor at 7:45 this morning heading for Montreal.  It is only 8 miles, but opposing current runs 6 kts. in places so it took us two hours.  It's awesome entering the Port of Montreal.

We were fortunate to get reservations for dockage at the Port D'Escale Marina in the historic district for 3 nights, as this weekend is the St. Jean Baptiste holiday, similar to Labor Day in the US.  This is a very popular weekend and we hope there are no fireworks or we will have to give Striper a doggy tranquilizer. :(

Our first order of business upon arrival was to do the laundry.  We had about $2 Canadian and the marina office is not permitted to accept foreign currency so we walked through the beautiful town to the Scotia Bank (which has reciprocity with Bank of America so there were no fees).  It was 90 degrees and sweltering at noon. 

  
This marina is beautiful and has all the amenities -- immaculately kept showers, rest rooms and laundry facilities.  We're docked ideally close to the ramp leading into town and the whole marina is gated.  It was 90 degrees by the time we returned from the bank.   I put the clothes in the washer -- cost is two lunies (that's $2 Canadian) then came back to the boat for lunch,  returned to put our duds in the dryer and back to the boat to sit in the AC.  There's much to see in Montreal and our friends, the Goodleafs who live on the Kanawake (spelling?) Reservation offered to show us around and we'll have dinner together tomorrow evening. We're looking forward to seeing them again.

In addition to Chick, Walter and Jessica, we've met two more Looper couples.  When anyone sees the AGLCA burgee they knock on the boat door and introduce themselves.  It's a great way to make new friends who are also traveling the Loop.  We're all heading different places and it's fun to chat.  

This evening we had dinner at the Restaurant des Gouverneurs, one of many restaurants and bistros at Jacques Cartier Place in the center of old town.  Dinner was delicious, but be prepared to have the gratuity and two taxes added to your check -- one for the province of Quebec and the other is Federal totaling 14.9% -- the owner came over to chat and told us how expensive everything is in Canada -- and that 42% of their income is taxes, property, gasoline, federal and state on everything you buy.  He said it is very hard to make a living and most places close in January and February.

Attached are a few pictures:

A ship in the St. Lawrence River heading into the St. Lawrence Seaway

Port of Montreal

Jacques Cartier Bridge

Historic Clock Tower Wharf

Swift current in Port of Montreal

Port d''Escale Marina, Montreal

Tonight's back yard

Striper zonked out with her toy

Restaurant des Gouverneurs at Jacques Cartier Place