Aug. 3 – Ottawa, ON

Biking

Downtown Dock

Today we took advantage of all the wonderful bike trails around Ottawa. We rode along the Ottawa River east to the Prime Minister’s home where we watched the guards. We also visited the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, which was built in 1841. On the way back we stopped at Rideau Falls, where we ran into a group of college kids (Grass Route Biking) that have spent the summer biking across Canada. They began their journey in June at Pearson College on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and will travel 5730 miles to their final destination of St. John’s, Newfoundland, hopefully arriving in late August. Their purpose in the journey is to spread awareness of the human impact on our environment and to show first-hand that if youth are outfitted with passion, skills and resources, they can take leadership and work towards a change in the way the world is run. They were very energetic, inspiring young people and it was a pleasure to meet them. We went up to Nepean Point to get a great view of Parliament Hill and then crossed the Rideau Canal and spent a little time on Spark Street enjoying the Buskers (street performers) Festival. It’s been very warm (90s) here this week so we spent part of the afternoon on the boat relaxing. Later in the afternoon we rode along the Rideau Canal to Dows Lake, it is the way we came in on the boat. It was fun to see the canal from a different point of view. We also spent a little more time at ByWard Market…it’s like a magnet that keeps drawing us back. We bought fresh veggies to cook on the grill for dinner. They have the best zucchini, orange peppers and blueberries we have ever tasted. It is also fun listening and watching all the people in the market…very entertaining.

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

One of the guards at the Prime Minister's Home

The Grass Route Bikers

Maman is located at the National Gallery of Canada. It stands 30' tall on her eight legs, and is the keeper of 26 white Italian marble eggs.

A view of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Locks from Nepean Point.

Looking across the Ottawa River to Gatineau, Quebec

Performer at the Busker Festival

 Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier