The Price of Paradise ~ My travel plans for Allume

September 24, 2012

Last Friday I shared the view from our backyard. It looks like paradise and in many ways it is. I have a "pinch me, I actually get to live here" outlook most days.

When we decided to leave Maine to move back to Canada we had two criteria in looking for a place to live. We wanted to live within driving distance from my parent's place in NS, and we wanted to live close to mountains. A search to meet those two criteria landed us here, on the Gaspé peninsula of Québec.

There were other factors that contributed to our decision to live where we do - the opportunity to live in a different culture and learn another language, the fact there are no Walmarts or McDonalds, and without a doubt the natural beauty of the peninsula (beauty speaks to me on a very spiritual and inspirational level). We felt we could have a high quality of life here and our experience so far has proven that to be true.

We believe also that God brought us here for His purposes in our lives and lives of people around us (something I don't write about a lot but is very important in our decision making).

We did not move here for the easy access to large cities and centers of commerce. There is no easy access to either of these.

That is the price we pay for living in paradise. And affording it. 

There are many beautiful places to live in Canada. The west coast, interior BC and the BC and Alberta Rockies call to us especially but those locations are decidedly way beyond a day's drive from my parents. I am currently swooning as my friend Catherine shares her travels through those very places. But those beautiful places are also more expensive than the peninsula where we live because they are all relatively close to major centers.

Whenever a beautiful place is close to a major center - people come, lots of people, and prices go up and eventually Walmart comes to town and well, you get the idea.

There are great advantages to living closer to big centers. That has been my reality for my whole life up until one year ago. Access to shopping, world-class arts and culture, and easy travel are a big draw, to be sure.

But for us, right now, an affordable life in the woods - where we connect with people all over the world and have access to amazing resources from shopping to school via the internet - is a bigger draw. Not to mention our local community has enough "culture" to meet our needs - good coffee shops, theatre, music and art exhibitions. Arts and culture are alive and well in the Gaspé. (Now if only there were some homeschoolers and Amazon prime shipping.)

To illustrate one of the challenges of living in paradise I thought I'd share my travel plans with you for going to Allume next month.

Allume is my first blogging conference and with travel arrangements like this, it may just be my last. After researching all the options - planes, trains and buses to and from where we live, I made the following travel arrangements.

  • Wednesday afternoon - Board a bus for Québec city (make a midnight transfer in Rimouski). After driving all night, arrive in Québec city in the wee hours of the morning.
  • Early, early Thursday morning - Catch a cab to the airport. Board a plane to Toronto. Transfer planes in Toronto.
  • Thursday mid-morning - Arrive in Harrisburg, PA. Catch a shuttle to the airport.
  • Thursday through Sunday - Connect and meet with amazing bloggers and online friends. I can't wait for this part. So looking forward to seeing my close friend Emily, rooming with Jamie and meeting Tsh and others.
  • Sunday morning - Catch an airport shuttle and board a plane out of Harrisburg. Fly to Toronto, then Montréal, then Québec city.
  • Sunday evening - Hang out in Québec city. Any recommends?
  • Sunday midnight - Board a bus for Rimouski. Make a transfer for home. Another all-nighter.
  • Monday, around noon - Arrive home. Tired and travel weary but full of friendship and creative and spiritual encouragement.

A total of five flights, four bus routes and a couple cab rides and shuttles in between. You'd think I was going to Europe or something!

I googled it. "Flying" to Allume will take me as long as driving there. I'm not sure which is cheaper, when taking into account the cost of gas for a seventeen hour drive. Driving wasn't an option anyway. We're a one car family and Damien needs a vehicle while I'm gone. And I have no desire to make a seventeen hour drive on my own.

Alternatively, I could have avoided the bus by flying first out a regional airport across the border in New Brunswick but the flight times were not good and it would take Damien and the kids nearly five hours driving to get me there and get back home again. They'd have to make this journey twice and that is a real cost in terms of gas and working time lost for Damien. Not to mention this option was twice the cost of the bus-plane travel arrangements.

So there you have it. The travel realities of living in paradise.

What is it like where you live? Can you at all identify with my travel woes?

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  • Kate

    Kate on Sept. 24, 2012, 12:04 p.m.

    I have had simliar lengthy, multiple method travel experiences. For me, it was the consequence of traveling to conferences on a very tight budget. It extended as far as bringing my own food to eat, staying further away at inexpensive hotels and walking. While I enjoy these conferences (academic) as times to reflect on my research and future interests, it can be draining. This year I decided to stay with conferences much closer to home, which isn't an option for you. What amazing relationships you can make and renew at your conference! My best travel advice is to use the time for meditation (or contemplative prayer) and to meet people you'd never have met otherwise. Best wishes!

    reply
  • Kika

    Kika on Sept. 24, 2012, 4:46 p.m.

    Well, no, I cannot identify with all your travel woes as I live two hours from the nearest airport. Although I feel so frustrated from the cost of travel within our own country!!!

    I see you have such a short time in Quebec city but you must go to Le Vieux Quebec and la basse ville. Seriously. It is full of old cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, cafes, huge maple trees which will be glorious at this time of year. You must!

    reply
  • Neptune

    Neptune on Sept. 24, 2012, 6:21 p.m.

    Well, yes, Gaspé can really be paradise, but it is not as practical during winter time. Since you guys don't seem to drive along all that much, I guess it is paradise all year round!

    Now as to hang out in Quebec city, there are SO many things to do.

    For sure, go to le Vieux Québec. If you want to see arts and architecture, you'll be served!

    There is a presentation of Le Cirque du Soleil right now (I think it is still on!) they reputation is not to be made anymore, and we often have the premieres since they are from Quebec :)

    There are TONS of excellent restaurants, for all tastes.

    Le petit Champlain, during the evening hours is a fantastic place to just walk in. So many people, so much life.

    I hope you enjoy your trip!

    reply
    • renee

      renee on Sept. 24, 2012, 7:48 p.m.

      For people like us who love the mountains, skiing and snow the Gaspé is very practical in winter. It's pretty ideal for those conditions. Thanks for the recommends. I only have four hours so I won't make it far but if Le Petit Champlain à proximité de la gare than maybe I can do that. 

      reply
  • Leanne

    Leanne on Sept. 24, 2012, 7:13 p.m.

    I was wondering how far up your were in Canada, you are up there! I hope you have splendid trip!

    reply
    • renee

      renee on Sept. 24, 2012, 7:45 p.m.

      Actually, we're not really "up there" at all. Most of Canada is north of this latitude. We're definitely more north than Toronto and Vancouver - the areas most Americans are somewhat familiar with, but Canada is a really big country...

      reply
      • Leanne

        Leanne on Sept. 25, 2012, 12:21 p.m.

        I just relooked at your map that you posted, what was I thinking? You really are not up there, Canada is very large. None the less it will be a long trip, but I am sure you will return uplifted!

        reply
        • renee

          renee on Sept. 25, 2012, 12:25 p.m.

          Not "up there" but definitely "out there" in terms of getting anywhere. I am looking forward to it Leanne. Thank you.

          reply
  • Misti

    Misti on Sept. 24, 2012, 11:51 p.m.

    I'm about 45 minutes from the nearest international airport so I don't quite feel your woes.

    My cousin Elizabeth ( http://www.elizabeth-michelle.com/ ) is also attending the Allume social...while I have to say I have no idea what it is but since both of y'all posted about it---I'm kind of jealous about a blogging conference! I've always wanted to attend one but I'm not in any kind of hip blogging circle.

    Safe travels!

    reply
  • Nicole

    Nicole on Sept. 25, 2012, 12:51 a.m.

    I can drive to at least 5 airports within 1 to 2 hours - too bad I never go anywhere! LOL! We have gone all over the west here, but on summer road trips in the car. For the convenience of living near airports I also get traffic, smog, crowds, gangs, graffiti, crime, and various other California woes!!!! I'd much rather live in paradise like you :)

    About Quebec - we went up there on our 3 week honeymoon 13 years ago while traveling up and down the east coast of USA between Rhode Island and Canada. We LOVED Quebec best of the whole trip - lovely architecture, nice people, and the best coffee ever! Came back into the states on some back roads and bought cheese curds from a farm. Fun times!

    reply
  • Auntie Ruth

    Auntie Ruth on Sept. 25, 2012, 2:12 a.m.

    as you know we live 20 minutes from an international airport, so I can't 'feel your pain' but I do admire your perseverance to get to where you want to go!! and I'm sure you'll maximize the travel time with books, etc, and just enjoy your alone time..... just 'seize the day' and I know you will.

    reply
  • Wanda

    Wanda on Sept. 25, 2012, 4:29 a.m.

    Renee, I've been following your blog and am really dissapointed that i didn't decide to go to allume so that I could meet you in person! I did consider it but life got in the way. I don't homeschool and our family is not vegetarians but I sure enjoy reading your adventures and appreciate your wholesome living. I'm a fellow Canadian and hope you have fun on your trip.

    reply
  • Catherine Forest

    Catherine Forest on Sept. 25, 2012, 5:29 a.m.

    Wow, what a trip!! Yes, this is a hard price to pay, but I am sure you will make the best of that trip... bring your Kindle loaded with great books and you'll do just fine! Enjoy the Allume gathering! And thanks for the link to my blog! We're leaving Canada tomorrow morning!

    reply
  • Pamela

    Pamela on Sept. 25, 2012, 4:32 p.m.

    I once made a 17 hour drive, by myself, to go to a wedding shower. I was so excited by where I was going that it was totally worth it. I think you would have had a lovely drive this time of year also, with leaves turning and whatnot. However, renting a car and paying for gas might have been cost prohibitive.

    reply
  • Christin @ Joyful Mothering

    Christin @ Joyful Mothering on Oct. 19, 2012, 1:45 p.m.

    Although I'm not traveling by plane, I feel you! I'll be traveling through the night by train, beginning Wednesday night.

    I will then get off a train around 4:45am in Pittsburgh and board another train around 7:00am to Harrisburg. The train station is about 1/4 mile from the hotel, so I am having a sweet friend pick me and my cousin up from there.

    You live in a lovely place!!! It's gorgeous!! I love riding the train through Pittsburgh in the early morning hours because the lights on the hill are all lit up. It's a beautiful site! The bridges are lit, lights sprinkle across the river from boats and such. The train ride is one of my favorite parts of the whole trip, believe it or not! :)

    reply

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