Canada 10

 

Quebec City

 

We took a tour of the city

And were told of its history.

We wandered in a citadel 

And looked out in a battlefield.

 

We shopped a street of cobble stones.

We felt France in our bones.

We ate a lunch of sandwich and fries,

Chatted and laughed, a joyful surprise.

 

We discovered a wood carver’s shop,

Amazing carvings that did not stop.

He showed his work bench amidst saw dust.

To see work in progress was a must.

 

The next adventure was a steep hill.

To ride the toboggan was a thrill.

A long, slow trudge up to the top,

Then lickety-split we came to a stop.

 

We topped the evening

With a Michelin Star dinner,

A six-course meal,

A real award winner.

 

We said our good byes.

I saw some tears.

Imagined we’d meet again

Through the years.

 

We packed up our things

And went to bed that night,

Not knowing what awaited

In the morning light.

Canada 9

 

On to Quebec

 

From Montreal to Quebec by train,

A little snow, a little sun, fog and rain.

Settled into a castle on a high hill top.

The fun and adventures seem not to stop.

 

We took a tour which started outside.

We bought tickets for a toboggan ride.

We viewed the mountains and the river,

A beautiful gift from the ultimate Giver.

 

We toured inside the castle with a dapper man.

To tell us of its history was his plan.

We went to the ball room, now divided by three.

On the stairs, a wish, a kiss, and Karen kissed me.

 

We painted pictures for a lark.

I liked the one I did of the park.

We ate till our bellies were full.

For vacation, that’s a golden rule.

Canada 8

 

Montreal

 

Tall buildings, old and new

A lovely park with a view

A whole city under ground

Sis and I found our way around.

 

Walking to strengthen the heart

To a museum of modern art.

A pasta dinner along with jazz.

Some of the wonders Montreal has.

 

Iranians dancing in the street,

May their oppressors know defeat.

Some games of Splendor to settle in.

How does Judy always win?

 

Had a short sleep, but no pity.

Tomorrow a train to Quebec City.

Canada 7

 Train Ride

 

Chugging along on the train

Amidst fog, snow and rain.

And then a five-star hotel

Add dinner and all is well.

Only four days remain.

 

Malory told us her tale

Of hiking the Pacific Trail.

“I would love to do that,” I said,

“However, I might end up dead.”

At this stage, I’d surely fail.

Canada 6

 

Niagara Falls

 

Very dismal weather,

cold, foggy, a bit of rain.

Glad for my winter coat, gloves, hood.

Prof, our guide, very knowledgeable,

gave us some of Canada’s history,

of which I know precious little.

 

We snapped smiling pictures

in front of the Toronto sign,

and at a LOVE sign made of locks

in the red brick distillery region,

and ate pizza and shopped for souvenirs

at St. Lawrence Market.

 

We rode on our roomy bus

to the Niagara Falls.

We walked about

and found a good overlook,

one which Gordon Ramsey

and entourage didn’t block.

 

The three sets of falls,

shrouded in fog and mist,

still beautiful. More photos,

then a long ride back

and a nice dinner split

between us two sisters.

 

Tomorrow the train.

 

 

 

Canada 5

Arriving Toronto

 

The scenery from the airport

to downtown Toronto

looked like a black and white photo.

Rain painted everything in shades of gray.

The buildings tall.

The streets busy.

People everywhere.

It made me a bit dizzy.

After a long travel day,

with little food and little sleep,

I devoured my salmon dinner

and half of my sister’s beef.

Added ice cream on top of that.

I’m afraid our little tour group

thought, Wow that lady can eat!

Now it’s time to snuggle up

in this luxury hotel

and sleep,

and hope to be ready for a day of

exploration and adventure in Toronto. 

But don’t pronounce the second “t”.

Theory Poetic Asides, Canada 4

March 4^th

 

Today I will march forth

on my way to Canada.

“You’re going on a trip AGAIN!”

Yes, I have a theory:

when the travel bug has bitten

and is given opportunity,

it will do a happy dance

that makes you feel alive.

So travel away!

So I’ll travel away

to Canada today.

But first stop in Durango,

Sleep at the Super 8,

To avoid driving in the dark.