Quebec,Eventually
Updated: Sep 20
The Trip I Finally Took
Quebec was actually a trip I had wanted to take before. I originally planned to go for my twenty third birthday, but at the time, I was still very new to driving. I had gotten my car "royal diamond" at twenty two, and most of my driving consisted of going to work and coming home. The idea of driving all the way to another country sounded exciting, until it was time to actually do it. I chickened out.
But as the months passed, I started driving more, traveling more, and becoming increasingly comfortable going places on my own. Eventually, Quebec crossed my mind again. It was still somewhere I wanted to experience, and this time, instead of finding reasons not to go, I thought: Why not?
A Spa Day Turned Into a Road Trip
The funny part is that this trip didn’t begin as a full Quebec vacation. It started because I wanted a relaxing spa day for the Fourth of July. I didn’t particularly want to sit at home listening to fireworks, but I still wanted to do something peaceful and enjoyable.
Then the idea grew. A spa sounded nice, but so did a quiet cabin with a private hot tub or Jacuzzi. Once I started searching Airbnb, I found several beautiful places in Quebec and suddenly, my little spa day idea had transformed into an international road trip.
I found a cabin I liked, booked it, packed "Royal Diamond" and drove to Canada.
Crossing Into Quebec
I knew Quebec was a French speaking part of Canada, but knowing it and actually arriving there were two different things. The road signs, conversations, and surroundings reminded me that I had truly driven somewhere different.
Instead of allowing the language difference to make me uncomfortable, I enjoyed it. It made the trip feel like a real adventure. I drove a lot while I was there because most of my planned activities were approximately an hour away from the cabin. Time management became very important, but I honestly didn’t mind the driving. Every trip gave me another opportunity to take in the scenery and experience more of Quebec.
Cabin Life—with One Annoying Problem
The Airbnb itself was beautiful. It gave me the peaceful cabin experience I wanted, complete with an outdoor Jacuzzi surrounded by nature.
There was only one major downside. something connected to the cabin’s water system kept shutting off. Whenever it happened, I had to go outside and reset it so that the water inside would work again. The host tried to help me through it, and eventually I figured it out, but I still had to repeat the process throughout the trip.
I knew absolutely nothing about that type of equipment, and trying to troubleshoot a cabin’s water system was not one of the adventures I had planned. Still, I figured it out.
Despite that inconvenience, I enjoyed the cabin. Sitting in the outdoor Jacuzzi was relaxing, although I was still looking over my shoulder every few minutes. I was adventurous enough to sit outside alone, surrounded by darkness and nature but apparently not adventurous enough to stop preparing myself for something to emerge from the woods.
In the morning, though, the experience felt completely different. I could actually relax, enjoy the water, and appreciate the peaceful surroundings without watching the trees for movement.
Horseback Riding and an Accidental Photo Shoot
Horseback riding was easily one of the highlights of the entire trip.
When I arrived, I learned that someone was coming to photograph the establishment for promotional content. Another couple was supposed to participate that day, but something happened with their car and they couldn’t make it. That left me, the instructor, and the photographer woman for the ride which also meant I unexpectedly became part of their photo shoot.
My horse’s name was Luna. She was beautiful, gentle, and such a pleasure to ride. We followed the trail through some incredible scenery, and I loved every minute of it. At the end, the photographer captured even more pictures of me with Luna and the instructor.
I still haven’t seen those photographs, but somewhere in Quebec, there may be an advertisement featuring me living my best horseback riding life. Hopefully, one day I’ll randomly see myself plastered across a wall or website and finally discover where those pictures went.
A Musical, Dinner and McDonald’s
One evening, I attended a Michael Jackson musical. The performers did a decent job, and I genuinely enjoyed the show.
The food, however, was not nearly as impressive. Afterward, I stopped at McDonald’s which was not exactly the glamorous ending I imagined for the evening, but sometimes McDonald’s is the dependable supporting character a trip needs.
Every night, I had some type of activity planned. By the time I drove back to the cabin, it would be completely dark. The area surrounding the Airbnb had very few streetlights if any, and part of the route included dirt roads. It was beautiful and peaceful, but Royal Diamond did not appreciate those roads nearly as much as I did. By the end of the trip, she was extremely dirty.
The bike trail and a Seat That Felt Made for Me
During one of my drives, I passed a beautiful bike trail I decided to walk back and find it.
It became a much longer walk than I expected, but when I finally reached the water, I found the perfect place to sit. The spot reminded me of one of my favorite places back home a seat beside the water along a bike trail where I like to relax.
Finding such a similar place in Quebec felt strangely personal, almost as though someone had placed that seat there specifically for me. I sat by the water, took in the scenery, and allowed myself to appreciate where I was and everything it had taken for me to get there.
The Trip I Once Thought I Couldn’t Take
Even checking out of the Airbnb came with one last challenge. The lockbox would not open when I tried to return the key. Thankfully, everything was fine, and they were able to handle it.
I would probably rate the Airbnb a seven out of ten. It was beautiful and comfortable, but repeatedly going outside to restart the water system was annoying . The trip itself, however, was amazing.
I drove internationally on my own. I navigated unfamiliar roads and a different language. I stayed in a cabin, rode Luna through Quebec, accidentally participated in a promotional photo shoot, watched a musical, found a perfect seat beside the water, and returned safely from the trip I once convinced myself I wasn’t ready to take.
Quebec will definitely be seeing me again.
The adventure wasn’t completely over when I crossed back into the United States, About an hour before I made it back home, a deer nearly ran directly into the back of Royal Diamond. Thankfully, I avoided hitting it and continued on.
So, after driving internationally, navigating unfamiliar roads, spending several activity filled days in Quebec, and barely avoiding a deer during the final stretch, I ended the trip by going to work and Apparently, not even a deer or my need for sleep could stop me.
The first time, I allowed fear to change my plans. The second time, I got in my car and went and I’m so glad I did.
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