Into the Mountains
Much as I have loved being based in Montréal for the last three decades, I have moved away from it. I am now living just outside Ste-Adéle —about an hour north of the city, in the heart of Québec's Laurentian play-land— in a house with a private forest all around it, a mountain right behind it, and the Riviére du Nord, that winds and cascades its way through the whole breadth of the area, just fifty meters down the slope. The move was occasioned by money —it costs half as much to live here than in the City— but the attractions go way beyond economics
The Laurentians, and particularly the corridor between St.-Sauveur and Ste.-Agathe-des-Monts —with Ste.-Adéle right in the middle— is a delightful blend between the rustic, nay, the bucolic, and fully-functional urbanity. My "log-cabin" is equipped with wifi, cable-TV, brand-new plumbing and electricity and a spectacular kitchen, but right outside both the front and back doors there are miles and miles of untampered nature. Alright, not totally wild: in fact the whole complex of mountain/forest/river is made accessible to trekkers by a network of safe paths and well-defined trail.
Across that bridge, and running parallel to the river is one of the most charming walking/biking trails in the civilized world. Known as Le Petit Train du Nord, this used to be a railroad of a small train that used to transport holiday-makers of old from Montréal (via St.-Jérôme) to their favorite Laurentian village. The train used to call at all of them, all the way to Ste.-Agathe. Now that the car has obviated rail-travel, the tracks have been removed and the ground has been paved in benevolent gravel for easy and slip-proof treading.
It is truly, as touted by local tourism boards, un pays des merveilles ("a countryside of marvels"), with the River its crown jewel. On a hot day, I walk to it through a thick arbor and across a rickety bridge. It appears suddenly around a bend, having been dramatically foreshadowed by a thunderous roar of gushing water, quite misleading, considering its slender body and what seems like manageable rapids.
I travel up-river and come across perfect little bathing ponds, refreshing shower-like sprays, and omphalo-morphic rocks, like navels of river-gods, smooth and friendly, made for lazing under the sun while awaiting the appetite for more water-sports to return. Yet another example of nature trumping man when it comes to design: expensive water-parks cannot begin to deliver such pleasures as these.
Do I miss Montréal? Probably. But, right now I'm too busy enjoying myself to care. I look up at the sky instead, and salute the angels flying there.
Photographs by Algis Kemezys © 2012
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" I look up at the sky instead, and salute the angels flying there. "
Thank you for the beauty look.
r
R.
Thoth, I am well and better hearing this from you. Come to my birthday party tomorrow...here...Thanks again!
zanelle Yes making the relationship to the rocks and place is so very important. Drop by for my party here tomorrow. Thanks again!
Midwest Muse This is the perfectly cool secret place that I know. others know this area too as I found out but your invited to my Birthday party here tomorrow as is everyone. Thanks again!
Rated.
Abrawang, Yes the first few were coupled exposures and the rest just single images. The 50 foot lady, well shes another story I tell only around the campfire at Cool paradise. Thanks again!
OLGA STATHI, Thanks so much for dropping by. Thanks for the good words too!
Poppi Iceland, Thanks so much...have a great summer there?
V.Corso, I guess that is the word of the day then. Thanks again.
Myriad, Yes indeed the best place yet to spend a great summer day!
Thanks again.
My mother was in the sanitarium there for years in the 50's.
I miss the Laurentians and ma belle pays
Happy Canada Day
HUGGGGGGGGG
SpiritManSF, Birthday suits are for many who come here. I am a bit too shy for that kind of exposure but many are not. It's a happy place...gay even.
Christine Geery Thanks so very much CG. yes the angels are watching and I am hopping cause those rocks are hot there. Love to see you here?
Kathy Riordan, Oh Kathy thats so fine. Can i show you Riordan Island sometime too?
Julie White, I never brought my new camera here and the new camera is going back to the store. Thanks again and wish i could show you this place...
Scylla the Rock, You can catch a glimpse of that youthful side of yourself here...R U coming?
JALI 17, I suppose cats are allowed but don't expect them to be happy. Wish i could show you place persoanlly! Thanks Jali!
Donegal Descendant , OMG the fires in Colorado sound horrible. Here we have been having the perfect weather. rain every 4 or 5 days. This place just an hour away in the forest. Wish You were here ....Birthday suits are all you need too!
STATHI STATHI Wow thanks so very much. Wish I could show you this place and have a tasty snack of wild Dandelion Pie for you as well. Maybe one day our paths will cross. How is it in Greece these days?
SheilaTGTG55, OK wish I could show it to you personally Shiela, Maybe next summer? Thanks again.