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

Aug. 2 - Ottawa, ON

Parliament Hill

Downtown Dock

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, it was chosen by Queen Victoria as the permanent capital in 1857. At that time Canada was made up of Lower Canada (now Quebec) and Upper Canada (now Ontario) and was known as the Province of Canada. Ottawa was chosen because of its central location and it was a secure distance from the American border.

We had breakfast at Starbucks so we could check our emails and update the blog. Then we walked over to Parliament Hill to get tickets for a tour of the Parliament Building and watch The Guard Mount Ceremony (changing of the guard). The ceremony is held each morning at ten on the lawns of Parliament Hill. The old guard marched in from Parliament Hill and the new guard came up the street, across the Rideau Canal. It was very impressive and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

We took a tour of the Central Block, which is home to the Senate, House of Commons and the Library of Parliament. It was rebuilt in the 1920s after being completely destroyed in a fire in 1916. Because of its design it looks much older. The tour was informative and the building was very impressive. It's kind of a weird coincidence, we toured our capital in Washington DC exactly a year ago today.

We spent a few hours on the boat relaxing this afternoon, then explored the area a little more. After dinner onboard we walked back to ByWard Market for dessert. As we were walking down Sussex Ave. we could hear music coming from the park, we caught the end of a bagpipe and drum concert. There seems to be something going on somewhere in town all the time. So much fun.

The Parliament Building

The Peace Tower - The Peace Tower was named in commemoration of Canada’s commitment to peace. The 302.5’ tower contains an observation area and the Carillon, a series of 53 bells weighing 10 lb. to 22,244 lb.

The old guard marching in

The new guard on the lawn

The Library of Parliament opened in 1876 and was the only parliament building to survive the 1916 fire.

One of the ornate details on the Parliament building

View from the Peace Tower looking south towards the Rideau Canal. Our boat is just below the last large tree and before the bridge.

View from the Peace Tower looking down the Ottawa River

The start of the Guard Mount Ceremony 

Aug. 1 – Ottawa, ON

Beautiful City

Downtown Dock

We only had four locks to do today to arrive in Ottawa. What a wonderful city, beautiful old buildings, bike trails along the Rideau Canal and amazing views of the Ottawa River. We plan to stay here through the weekend. Seeing the sights and having a little time to relax. We are in the heart of the city within walking or biking distance of everything. We had a late lunch at D’arcy McGees and spent the afternoon getting oriented. We walked around the Parliament Building, By Ward Market, and watched boats lock through the Ottawa Flight (8 locks). We had a small dinner onboard and watched the moon rise over the canal. Later we walked back to Parliament Hill; they put on a laser light show against the Central Parliament Building. It was a look at the history of Canada and was pretty impressive.

Part of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa

Rideau Canal coming into downtown Ottawa

Chateau Laurier opened in 1912

Alexandra Bridge - Quebec is on the other side of the Ottawa River

National Art Gallery of Canada and Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

A view from Parliament Hill of Major's Hill Park

The Pearl on the wall in Ottawa

The ByWard Market was established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, it is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal, Colonel By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George Street and York Street to be extra wide to accommodate the creation of a public market and gathering place.

The Rideau Canal in Ottawa

Sunset view of Parliament Hill

Full moon coming up over the Rideau Canal