South Quebec in Sherbrooke

Charbonneau Park Boardwalk Pathway

Left Montreal this morning in a hail of a rain storm for Sherbrooke, Quebec. Rain is good, as we have had almost all sun while researching this summer of 2010. One of the hottest summers we can remember since we started our adventure in tourism.

Today the rain was pounding down on poor little moi, lakes were forming everywhere. And the worst of it was that I had to drive through Montreal  from Laval to get to Sherbrooke. That made it  an 8 lane wide highway driving experience, most of the way, in a sea world, water world environment.

While driving, almost every passing car splashed waves of water up onto my windshield. That..  plus the pouring rain put my wipers on full alert. They could not keep up. So enough was enough – being that I am not familiar with the roads, let alone I could barely see them – I took the first exit after Montreal and found me a Tim Hortons to wait it out.

I arrived in Sherbrooke after the rain broke. The next day I woke up to sunshine. The end. Just kidding.

I was up early and back at it poking my nose around in Sherbrooke.  Unfortunately it is what Quebecers keep calling, “Construction Season”. I have being hearing that since Gatineau.  Campgrounds are full and there are many detours.

Downtown Basicalla

In Sherbrooke it just happens a main bridge on the waterfront was under construction, making the waterfront not nearly as attractive to some. But with my over active imagination I can easily look pass it and make the camera work for me. Construction did not impose on the many older and historic buildings in the community like the Basicalla and others.

While exploring the downtown, parks and trails one thing is certain – Sherbrooke is another Quebec community with a wicked biking and walking trail system. There were plenty of bikes, roller bladders, dog walkers, baby strollers and joggers where ever I went.

Sherbrooke is on the shores of  rivers and lakes including the Magog River, Lac de Nations, Magog Lake and Saint Francois River.  All are lined with bike and pedestrian walking trails. Makes for good views and sightseeing. Got a bike and you can explore by trail the entire downtown and many of the parks.

Some of the parks I enjoyed while in the Sherbrooke region include the Blanchard, Charbonneau, Domaine-Howard and Victoria Parks.

The park that most appealed to my style of preferred parks was the Charbonneau Park. It is a wetland park with lookouts, cat tails, lily pads, song birds and frogs croaking. It is a  natural park not a manicured park. The centre of the park enjoys an extensive boardwalk trail slicing through the middle of the marsh. (Main BLOG Photo)