Here are some of my tips that you can also use to get back into the thick-and-thin of blogging:

1. Visit you old blog and realize that if you don’t update it, people who stumble on your site might actually think you’re life ended at the entry of your last post. Oh and that you are boring.

2. Pick a new theme

3. Just find something to rant about. Anything.

4. Get really drunk and then re-visit old photos of your ex who was the biggest jerk. Write him that letter on your blog, instead of writing it to him.

5. Write down 100 things about yourself that you love.

I realized yesterday that the feature I was writing was supposed to be about Alberta, and our lodge and mountains were in BC. Plus, our Via Ferrata expedition got snowed out, so we didn’t have a focus.  The story might be killed now.

Then, our winter leg of the tour might be cancelled again.  Someone on the board is not impressed with us.  Might be killed equals no money.

My Montreal call got shafted to tomorrow am and he didn’t sound all that interested.

He cancelled again from coming here.  I called him on it and he said he wanted to see me, but didn’t know.  We had to talk about everything and “life.” Not feeling great about it.  But I have faith.

I am so not happy right now. I don’t even know what to do with myself. Help me.

Shared via AddThis

Shared via AddThis

Shared via AddThis

Shared via AddThis

With that thought in mind, I decided to go for an early run and started the day with a nice breakfast.  As far as breakfasts go, I have to tell you about this one, because it’s the highlight of my Quebec breakfast experience so far. (Gasp!)

Even the lady at the reception desk was surprised when I told her that this was the BEST breakfast I’ve had since arriving in Quebec.  In Charlevoix!  Not Montreal or Quebec, but in the village of Baie-Saint-Paul.  How about this for a locals-know tip?  Get the Healthy Breakfast at Le Gourmet restaurant in the Hotel Baie-Saint-Paul.  It’s an organic poached egg sitting on top of a slice of toast (to drain the water), neatly arranged by a circle of the thickest and fluffiest whole wheat toast (sans butter) I have tried in a while.  The best part? It was included in the room rate.  Moving on….

Our first stop after breakfast was visiting the Maison D’Affinage Maurice Dufour cheese farm.  This house of cheese is famous for two distinct personalities: a mild blue that lingers on the tongue called Le Ciel de Charlevoix. It won this year’s Canadian Cheese Grand Prix.  The second is Le Migneron, a popular creamy semi-hard cheese that is pale yellow and buttery textured.

Our second stop was in the heart of the village at a unique cosmetics store called Shamane.  Its products are fortified with donkey milk.  The owner explained that even Cleopatra bathed in it, because it is filled with nutrients and doesn’t irritate the skin.  A quick salad-loop later,  followed by nibbles of dark cocoa at the chocolate museum ended our food trail on a sweet note.

Now at the airport, I’m a little exhausted.  We’re off to Nunavut tomorrow, beginning our next leg of this unique adventure.   I’m sad to leave Quebec.  I truly love the culture, the spirit of the people, and the beauty of this province I still know very little about.  One thing I do know?  The locals enjoy everyday to the fullest by focusing on what’s important: family and friends, food, and of course, having fun.

Tell me what you think about Quebec.  What makes it special?

So, I could hardly wait to get into our Talon and hit the road to Charlevoix, a region about an hour from Quebec.  We had a day and a bit for our “culinary field trip”, and while I was excited to try the cheeses, beer and freshly baked bread the region is noted for, I knew that the scenery would be equally as breathtaking.

And my dear friends, if you need a new angle or just that extra-added inspiration to write, this place will inspire.

Rolling hills blend seamlessly with the untamed vegetation: The beginning areas of the farming land are marked by geometric patterns and a succession of animals grazing enthusiastically.  Not to mention the fields of knee-length grass dotted by jelly bean-coloured wild flowers that are a serene backdrop to the sunset.

When we arrived to the Baie-Saint-Paul, an angry thunderstorm surprised us, but it got over it.  The sun was out again in a matter of minutes.   Since the cheese producers we were going to visit were closed, we drove a little further to La Malbaie, a resort town that is one of the first vacation spots in Canada.  If you’ve ever driven the Oregon Coast, it’s a little reminiscent of that drive, but with less intensity and more charm.   The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and the golfing is the main draw for visitors, but I really loved the narrow-and-curvy streets and the feeling that I was in a coastal fishing-type of a village.

After a hot meal and warm tea, we drove back to our hotel, listening to the late Michael Jackson.  The radio announced his death and played his music non-stop.  A perfect ending to a glorious day…