Our second day in the Outaouais Region of Quebec included more outdoor activities that allowed our group to feel fully immersed in autumn fun.
The weather was chilly enough to warrant layers during our trip, but it wasn’t bitter cold and the sun was always out which added some welcomed warmth. It was perfect fall weather!
Paddle Boating at Eco-Odyssee
The first activity we had on our agenda during the second day of our trip was paddle boating.
If you’re anything like me and have been paddle boating before, you might feel like it leaves a lot to be desired. When I think of paddle boating, I picture pedaling around aimlessly on a lake which inevitably leaves me feeling tired and frustrated. I guess my paddle boating experiences in the past have been pretty horrendous because the experience we had at Eco-Odyssee was completely different. The boats were secure and very responsive to steering and my legs never felt tired even after an hour on the water.
When we arrived at Eco-Odyssee, I knew we were in for a treat when Michel Leclair pointed to a map of an amazing water maze on the wall of the welcome center.
He then passed out animal identification books, compasses and walkie talkies to our group and explained that it was our job to follow the directions and navigate our way through the water maze in our paddle boats.
Outdoor challenges like this are right up my alley so I was psyched! Our group paired off and, after watching a brief instructional video, boarded our boats and headed out.
Anne was my paddle boat buddy and we immediately went into navigation mode.
We laughed because neither of us are particularly good at directions in our day-to-day lives, but we somehow managed to stay on course and didn’t get lost in the labyrinth once which I consider a serious victory considering there were 64 different junctions. Go team!
The directions provided to us had us looking along the banks of the maze for clues and animal figurines that would allow us to fill in the blanks of the worksheet we were each responsible for completing during our time in the maze.
Anne and I chatted away throughout the experience and got a little side tracked and forgot about steering on more than one occasion which put us in a bush a few times.
While we pedaled through the maze, we saw frogs, fish, a turtle and birds.
The scenery was so picturesque and it felt great to simply be outside enjoying nature during such a beautiful time of year in the Outaouais Region.
It took us about an hour to make it through the maze and we returned to the dock raving about the adventure to Michel. It was a great way to spend a sunny fall morning and Anne and I agreed that a trip to Eco-Odyssee would make a fun date or family activity. It was such an engaging experience and our group really enjoyed it!
Once we thanked Michel and said good bye, we hopped back in the van and headed out to lunch at Cafe Soup’Herbe. (What a cute play on words, right!?)
The cafe is a vegetarian restaurant located just a few minutes from Gatineau Park in Chelsea and after dining there one time, I can assure you that if this restaurant existed in Ocala, I would be a regular visitor! The country-style decor was quite cozy and we all welcomed the warmth of the restaurant after a chilly morning on the water.
I ate a piece of warm bread with butter from the bread bowl and sipped on a cappuccino while we all perused the menu. The espresso at the cafe was fantastic and I loved every sip of my cappuccino.
At the urging of our friendly waitress, I ordered the Soup’Herbe signature salad.
It was topped with cashews, sesame seeds, the most delicious, garlicky croutons, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, carrots, sprouts and a wonderful dressing. Everything was perfectly fresh and it felt good to get some vegetables in my system.
Part two of our second day in the Outaouais Region is coming up this afternoon!
Question of the Morning
- Have you ever been paddle boating? Did you enjoy the experience?
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Sounds like you had a lot of fun and well done on the navigating! I am terrible at it and always manage to get lost!
I’ve not been paddle boating for years but yes I don’t have memories of it being that fun for all the reasons you said. It sounds like they’ve improved a lot since then though 🙂
It looks like such a fun day. I’d definitely be all about the paddle boating 😉 It just seems like a fun thing to do every once and a while.
And that cafe is absolutely adorable. I really need to make my way over to Quebec. I mean I’m in Canada already, so I should probably have visited there already.
You’re so adventurous! I’ve never been paddle boating before, but I’d totally do it if I had the opportunity. The scenery looks beautiful!
That salad looks awesome! I have not been paddle boarding but I’d love to, maybe I’ll find a groupon sometime and try it out. Enjoy the weekend!
Omg I’d be THE worst navigator. Hilarious post, and cute cafe name.
Ps love that you met Candice!! Newfies represent. Lol
I went paddle boating with my husband and kids in parks at St. Louis and Chicago. It was a four seater. We had lots of fun! And with that many people if you wanted to take a break from paddling, you could. 😉
I’ve always longed to visit Quebec, it looks beautiful!
Can u do some fashion updates with some of your outfits from your trip?
Wow the scenery IS so beautiful up there! I have never been paddle boating, much like you usually it has always seemed like it left more to be desired so I have never given it a try though this looks like a lot of fun!
I love paddle boating. It’s so relaxing and you just float on by!
There’s a park really close to my house and I’ve been paddle boating there a few times! I love how relaxing it is to be out of the water like that and just have that peace and quiet. Looks like you guys had a great time!
I haven’t been paddle boating but it sounds like an adventure for sure! 😉
The scenery is so beautiful isn’t it? My cottage isn’t too far from there so I know it all too well. Paddle boating can be hit or miss – depends on the weather, where you are, and who your with! Looks like you had a great time!
Love Cafe SoupeHerbe! Such good food –and the desserts are amazing too!
Did you guys go to the Nordik Spa? SoupeHerbe & the Nordik Spa go hand I hand for me, since they’re right next to each other 🙂
Yes!!! We went there during the second half of our second day. Nordik is incredible!
Looks beautiful, glad you are enjoying this wonderful country! I love it 🙂 I have been paddleboating but have had similar experiences to you however this one looks so much more fun! The maze idea is too fun.
That looks so fun! Your zip lining adventure inspired me to email all my gfs and try to get a trip planned. I am so excited! Virginia has some great adventure areas!
That’s awesome! I hope you guys have a blast!
How awesome! My grandfather used to own a paddleboat so that he and I could go out on his lake when I was little. I always got a kick out of that. 🙂
I’ve never been paddle boating, and never had a desire to do it. But this looks like a lot of fun!! I actually want to go do this hahaha. Yum!! That salad looks sooo good!!
Funny you say that about paddle boating, because I’ve always had the exact same experience!
The first time was on a small lake in Omaha, so understandably, it was boring. The next time I went was when I lived in Chicago. We went in Lincoln Park and I thought it would be so much more fun in a big city.
Nope, still pretty boring. But the scenery was nice 🙂
Looks like an amazing trip!
Your trip looks amazing Julie! Where is your cute scarf from?
Thank you! It’s from Banana Republic a few years ago.
This place looks gorgeous! I’ve never been paddle boating but I did go kayaking once and got stuck in manyyyy bushes. Even though that part wasn’t fun, I did enjoy being out on the water.
I’ve been paddle boating but only in a lake or lagoon, no where as cool as that!
I am so bad at directions! When I get overwhelmed, I totally lose it. I had to write “L” and “R” on my hands when I took my driving test to get my license. Haha! That looks like a ton of fun though!
I have to say, I’m still pretty pumped about my newly discovered awesome compass skills… 😉
So many beautiful photos! Looks like you guys are having a blast.
I’ve been paddleboating several times, but never somewhere as beautiful as this. It’s OK, but I think I’d enjoy it more with a great scenery. It always kills my quads though! 😉
This restaurant looks amazing considering little café spots and diners are my favorites! I’m all about simple and tasty. I went paddle boating a Hershey Park a few times and became frustrated I couldn’t get anywhere on the boats. My dad and I would always leave in stitches because we were probably the two most pathetic paddlers!
The scenery there is absolutely gorgeous. I feel like I live in the most boring area as far as terrain goes…so FLAT!
Your trip looks amazing and the views are gorgeous! I have never been paddle boating. Canoeing and white water rafting but not paddle boating.
I’ve never been paddle boating but that looks so fun!
That scenery is amazing!
Every time I go paddle boating I feel like a little kid again. Brings back so many good memories. Now, Im a much bigger fan of kayaking.
I have to tell you Julie, Im trying out Body pump on Monday. After hearing you rave about it so much, I was excited to see me gym is offering it!
I’ve been paddleboating before and enjoyed the relaxed chilled-out afternoons I’ve had on the river (not a lake – I think I would be bored too quickly) but WOW! A maze?! That’s awesome! I’ll have to look to see if there’s anything similar around us in the Summer. That looks like so much fun! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed your time in Wakefield, I am a proud local 😉
Also, where did you get your red 1/2 zip from? It looks perfect for travelling!
I haven’t been paddle boating, but I love, love, love kayaking!
I am soooo jealous of your trip right now as I sit in my office working away! But thank you for the incredible pictures. I feel like I’m right there in the paddleboat! Glad you are having such an adventurous time!
I so would have been side tracked during this experience. I probably would get lost since I too am no good with directions. Happy you are enjoying your time lots of love C
I don’t know why, but your photos made me think of the Oregon Trail game haha. Anyways, hope you’re having lots of fun!
This looks like an amazing day! I probably would choose kayaking or canoeing over paddle boating, but a fun challenge would make it much more entertaining. Your pictures are really inspiring me to plan a trip to Canada!
I love that long sweatshirt you are wearing! Where is that from?! It looks so amazing up there, makes me want to go! Do you think that it’s reasonable prices? I’m looking to do a fun mini-vacation maybe in the spring time. Thanks!
Quebec Looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit that place, and the weather does look like perfect autumn weather~ We should just all move to Canada, haha. And I’ve never been paddle boating!
I have never done the paddle boating thing for the same reasons as you. Just kind of always thought it would be kind of boring and pointless. Stick me in a maze though and I would be whistling a different tune! Love mazes!
Looks so autumnal and picturesque! Love it!
Oh my gosh–what a fun activity! That sounds like a blast & the scenery is SO gorgeous. Love!
Do most people speak English as well as French there?
Never been paddle boating, but oh my gosh, that salad is to die for!:) I’ve got to make this asap!:)
I’m with you! Paddle boating drives me crazy!
Wow this is soooo beautiful! This makes me want to go to Canada!
Wow! I’ve been planning on doing the Eco-Odyssee for a while. Now I’m totally convinced that it’ll be lots of fun 🙂 Awesome post!
It looks like you two had so much fun. I think I’ve gone paddling boating once, but I can’t remember so it couldn’t be that exciting.
I just want to say, I have enjoyed reading your blog for months now, and while I was searching the internet a couple weeks ago I found Anne’s blog and subscribed to it. When you both blogged about going to a press trip in canada I thought, “what are the odds?” Well sure enough, there you are. It’s so cool to see a picture of the 2 of you together esp. since I just randomly found both your blogs at different times. Looks like a great trip!
that looks awesome! I have been paddle boating, but I definitely prefer kayaking!