Today Joel and I woke up outside Montreal. The original plan was to spend another day in Montreal, but we decided we had had enough of the big cities and wanted to head back into the country. Meaning today was the day we were hitting up the Sugar Shack! I was so excited. We had learned in Quebec City that Quebec makes 80-85% of the world's Maple Syrup and we were going to head to one of these Maple Syrup Farms to take a look as well as enjoy a delicious meal (all-you-can-eat!)
So we headed North of Montreal where many of these places could be found. Our first stop was the Villa du Sucre. But after poking around for a bit we were convinced it was closed, either for the season or for the day we didn't know, but definitely closed. And after a brief encounter with what we can only assume was the owner, we decided we didn't want to come back the next day when it would be open! So we headed down the road to try the next one. There were like 5 in the same area, we were hoping at least one would be open! And success, this second one was indeed open! This one was called: Cabane a sucre Constantin. So we got there around 9:30. When I walked in to talk to the manager, in French, he informed me they would open their breakfast service at about 11. So we sat in the car for a little warming in the sun and then headed down the trail to explore the farm. There were lots of maple trees, and lots of connecting tubes that helped collect the syrup. It is no longer the days of using a metal bucket to collect this.
As we walked through the forest we noticed that the syrup looked a lot like water. Which we learned is the case, it isn't till later that it aquires its golden look. When the trees first pump it out it looks a lot like sugar water! After walking around for a while, we headed back to the main house where lunch/breakfast was being served! And how delicious was it!
We started with bread and butter as well as patte for the bread. After having some of that they brought us each pea soup. After the soup we got the main meal which was omelletes, which pork rinds, ham, potato, sausages, cole slaw, and beans. All of it involved some level of maple syrup! And it was all you can eat! I was so full before we even really finished any of it!! Although I did have some more helpings of the sausages covered in maple syrup! That was very delicious.
Then came my favorite part: dessert. There were four choices, and we each picked all four! It was bread pudding, crepes, ice cream, and my absolute favourite (as well as Joel's) was the maple pie. It had this amazing maple inside that was like a spread and we put ice cream on top and it was to die for! So delicious! I wanted a second piece but couldn't manage it, Joel wanted one and I tried to order it, but it got lost in translation and we ended up with another bread pudding. That was good too, but not as good. Guess I still have some work to do on my French! Although overall I am pretty happy about how well it was going!
After lunch we headed back to the car to let the food digest for a bit, because we still had my favourite part coming up. Something I had done as a child not only at school, but in Girl Guide Camps. Tire sur la neige! It is when the heat up maple syrup and poor it over snow, then you take a Popsicle stick and roll up the maple syrup making a sort of lollipop! It is awesome! So when our food was digested we headed over to the station that did this and started doing it! I must have had 5 or 6, if not more! So good and delicious, Joel had less (clearly he is not Canadian!)
After the sugar shack we headed to Ottawa, were we are spending a couple days (I can not wait!) We didn't have big plans for today, but went to the mall to spend some time relaxing and using the internet. We also stopped to buy a build-a-bear (a.k.a. Joel bought one for me)! She is cute and lovely, a beautiful dog with hearts all over her, I named her Love-a-Dove :) After that we headed to a Walmart to sleep. Our first Walmart was a no-go. Signs everywhere said no overnight parking. We seem to only find these in Canada! But our second one was good, albeit a little sketchy, but what else were we going to do? I sent out some couch surfing requests so hopefully tomorrow we have a safe and nice bed, and not a kinda sketchy Walmart! (spoiler alert: we survive the sketchy Walmart without a problem and get couchsurfing for the next night! For all you who are worried about our safety!) Tomorrow is Parliament Hill and I can not wait!!!!
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