Outdoor Paths, Colourful Bags, Korean Street Food

Let's Do This

La Falaise St-Jacques (WTF)

I really like to switch things up when I run to keep it interesting, so when the friendly guy at the YMCA told me about La Falaise St-Jacques, I was immediately curious.

First off - you probably kinda know it. When you are driving along Notre-Dame you go past this weird sitting area. I always wondered what it was.

Turns out it is a sitting and viewing area with this lovely view (sarcasm) - see below. The fact that there are 4 benches really shows how much they thought this area would be used.

This is the view.

It’s also the start of La Falaise St-Jacques!

But let’s back up. To get to La Falaise you first have to either run down St-Jacques from NDG or run down Glen from Westmount, or I suppose run up St-Remi from Ville Émard/St-Henri.

If you are running down from St-Jacques it’s easy enough to just to sharp right onto the path at the bottom of the hospital.

If you are running down the Glen you have to cross the street at St-Jacques and run along the south side of the highway because there is one section that has no sidewalk. You then have to cross back up on the far side of St-Rémi. The lights are long. If you want a consistent run with no stops, I wouldn’t recommend it or just be prepared. Along the way there are thoughtful benches placed with views over the highway (more sarcasm). BTW names are very confusing. It’s rue St-Jacques and then Blvd Des Tanneries.

The path itself is a very wide gravel path. As far as I can tell there is one entrance and then around 1-2km later, one exit. On one side is a very high embankment and the other the train tracks.

I’ll cut the full suspense. If you want to feel super exposed and vulnerable, like you could be attacked any minute with no escape, La Falaise is for you. Honestly, from being in the area I knew it wasn’t well used and right away I was wary. I saw one dude on a bike who gave me a big wave as if surprised to see me, and another dog walker.

I have no idea why this path is here or who thought it was a good idea. Was it always there so they just kept it up when they redid the Turcotte Interchange? Who thought multiple park benches facing a highway, that would be left to rot and decay with gross highway garbage all around them would be a good idea?

Pros: Very wide, would be good for groups of runners.

Cons: Once you are on the path there is literally no escape. You have to run quite a way with no way out on either side to get to an exit. All the benches are full of graffiti and the garbage cans are overflowing. It is empty. Not a great vibe.

Have you run La Falaise? Am I wrong? Let me know!

Colourful Brand Alert: Susan Bijl

+ other travel bags

As someone who is obsessed with non-luxury/practical totes (ie not Chanel) it’s pretty obvious that a lot of the more technical totes are designed for minimalists/men. So when I came across Susan Bijl, a dutch designer who creates bright and fun shopping bags, totes, pouches and a range of home items I got super excited. Local store Les Palais Bulles stocks a few of her things, otherwise her full selection is online. I love the colours and the fun aesthetics.

Because I’m a travel bag obsessive here are a few others to check out:

If you are looking for the most absolutely tiny bag to pack along this summer the nano bag is probably it.

Carry X is a brand from Calgary that seems to only make one thing - a massive underseat personal item that would be great for young families who need to constantly access items during a flight. It opens (and looks unfortunately) like a cooler and but at 27L it is a massive size for a personal, under seat item. Looks are not amazing, but from experience when travelling with young families sometimes you are just trying to survive, no?

Toki Mtl - Korean Street Food

Toki Mtl is a super cute street food restaurant in the Concordia ghetto. If you’ve ever walked in the area you probably know the pretty pink mural covering the outside, and the inside is cute too.

We tried the loaded fries, seafood omelette, rose tteokbokki, fried chicken and a few other things. Honestly, I was a teeny bit skeptical walking in thinking it was more of a gimmicky place but the food was really good! It would be a fun place to go with adventurous kids too (and then go around the corner for a cinnamon bun - see below!)

Feel all the feels with this nostalgic look back on the peak Indie music scene in Montreal with Mile End Kicks. Also… how much has MGMT made off of this song in movie trailers?!

Just around the corner is Rollys which sells a variety of cinnamon bun rolls. It reminds me of the display windows I saw in London. I didn’t try one but they look divine.

If you are looking for a Mother’s Day Gift for yourself, your mom or a friend, consider doing a mini session with me!

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Michelle Little is a photographer who specializes in family, maternity, newborn, headshots and boudoir. I offer studio, in-home and outdoor photography. You can see her website here and get in touch here.

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