Mini trip to Mica Quebec

My much better 1/2 surprised me with a mini trip to Quebec. Our destination was a secret and what a destination it turned out to be.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’ll let the following do the talking.

Here’s the view from the driveway

This gem is an Airbnb and believe it or not the first one we stayed in. It’s west of Quebec in the town of Lac-Beauport. You drive through town, which is only a main drag with some store/restaurant and into a typical residential area. Then you pay very close attention to directions and drive up a mountain. We were very glad the roads were just muddy and not snow covered. Four wheel drive and snow tiers are required and apparently the host has pulled out many a stuck vehicle!

The design architect came out in many of the photos I took

Each house is limited to 200 square meters per floor (living area). That’s about 215 square feet, so we are talking tiny home sizes for sure. However, design wise the house has it all and it very well laid out and constructed. To save space the main stair is outside but there is an internal ladder leading to the second floor.

Not for the faint of heart, but we both managed it!

The other most important part about siting a house is the site itself and views. This house was very carefully constructed and many of the trees were left, thus framing the house on the site with natural surroundings. Also, each house on the mountain has 10 acres, so you don’t see anything bar nature.

This couch has the best views I’ve ever let myself relax in.
I even got in a little snowshoeing
You can’t beat a gas fire with a sunset
Sunrise view from bed. Blinds are available but why would you bother!

Other than hanging out enjoying the views, eating in the local restaurant, which were all great we visited Montmorency Falls. It was a fun excursion and well worth checking out.

The happy couple at the falls

You can walk over the falls, down many stairs and take a gondola ride back to the top. We unfortunately missed the last ride but I managed to get us a car ride back with another couple who also were stranded. Everyone we met was really nice, it is true, Canadians are nice people!

Thankfully we only had to go down there steps.
This is how Mica greets you at night.
I could eat breakfast everyday at this counter.

BTW, no tv which is awesome but it does have wifi, which is good as we could not use data on our phones, which Verizon we could. The only way we got directions was via wifi and once off wifi we needed to remain on the blue line. Google Maps will work offline, but if you go off the route you had better find the blue line again!

All in all is was a wonderful but was to short trip. We will definitely be going back to check out the hosts other property on the mountain. If you want to book Mica for yourself see the link.

Thanks Jess…Love you.

The gang is all here

Thanks to the generosity of my mother in law (Lenore Miller) I just acquired the last edition of Architectural Graphic Standards, which happens to be the first edition. I mentioned while on the phone with Lenore that I just got the sixth edition and she said I’ll get you the first edition as an early birthday present!

A friend of Lenore’s found several copies on AbeBooks and I reached out for more information. I was happy with the results and bought one. It showed up yesterday and I couldn’t be happier.

I sat at our kitchen table last evening and as we say in the architectural world, I did a page turn. We certainly don’t build them like they used to but many of the details could easily be used in a modern construction set, some 92 years after this book was published.

Thanks again Lenore for all you do and this wonderful gift. GLAT

1 through 12 with several supplements.

The last one….

My Architecture Graphic Standards collection grew by one more this am. I bought and received the 6th edition. In the process I had a wonderful back and forth conversation with the eBay seller. Bar a few supplements (some arriving soon) the only one I’m missing is the original 1932 edition.

Ramsey’s put out a reissued version in 1998 I believe but I’m holding out for the real deal which will be 92 years old this year!

Keep your eyes open for (a real) one and drop me a line if you see one.

Cheers, Alan

2nd thru 12th editions

Quick FL trip

We took a quick trip to Tampa FL for GMans 21st, yes, we are all getting older.

UTampa tour thanks to GMan
New Bells sculpture at UTampa
Jess and I at the Hyde Park open market
The boys
JMan with his most favorite find!
Best bumper sticker for this trip

I was nice to hang out and have a few (legal) beers with GMan. We all had a great time and looking forward to Thanksgiving for our next gathering.

Agawam Diner

If you want good food for a decent price and a very friendly staff, visit the Agawam Diner in Rowley MA. It’s on the corner of 133 and wonderful route 1.

Everything we had was great and we didn’t have to remortgage the house to eat out.

The remains of JMans pie!
Your truly and my much better 1/2….Jessica.

Mom’s visit

Here’s a few photos of my mom trip which just ended this evening. It was great having her and we’re all hopeful she’ll be back out again next year.

We did all the usual shopping spots over the last few weeks and took in a few new ones and a few new places

Friendly Toast in Portsmouth NH which is always a good time and as you can see also serves up the best photo bombs.
Mom and JMan hanging at the farm….with Barney the cat.
Mom outside 1/2 Hill House….that’s our place!
Mom and my better 1/2 at Bonsai West in Westford MA
Mom and a little bonsai which started life in 1950! Very cool….but so is the bonsai.
Sunset in Harvard.
Until next time.