4/29/2010

Printemps, Poutine and Le Pont Rouge

We live on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, where the national dish is poutine. Poutine is an ungodly mixture of french fries, topped with cheese curds and smothered in gravy. And it is delicious! I know! I know! Sounds disgusting, but trust me on this...it's the perfect food for a Sunday afternoon drive, sitting at a picnic table with a checkered table cloth, and looking at all things springy.
This aptly named little Chipping Sparrow was right above my head, watching me closely, and calculating how long it would take to dip and dive and return with a chip for him. Forget it! I'm not sharing today!
The picnic table was just outside the chip truck - a converted school bus that's now a fully functioning kitchen on wheels. Only this one had a lovely plastic porch attached so it wasn't actually mobile anymore - not that anyone was asking for their vendor's permit - we were all too busy eating poutine and enjoying the spectacular view...
This beautiful covered bridge sits over the Ottawa River, and enables traffic from the mainland to Calumet Island.
It is the largest covered bridge in Quebec. Built in 1898 it spans 497 feet, for single lane traffic  only.
Fortunately, you can see clearly if anyone else is on the bridge before you commit yourself to its wooden roadway.

Leaves everyone feeling very chipper once they've made the  passage safely. And landed right in front of the chip truck and then it's time for some celebratory poutine!

French lesson for the day:
Printemps = springtime
Le Pont Rouge = The Red Bridge
Poutine = french fries with curds and gravy



Enjoy more scenery at http://skyley.blogspot.com/