July 1st - Canada Day - Ottawa

Happy Canada Day.

Here we are in the nations’ capital to celebrate the founding of our confederation of provinces and peoples that make us Canada. How cool!  We leave relatively early for our group and take the free bus into the capital arriving downtown about 10 AM. People in red and white, maple leaf’s, and Canadian flags are filling the streets already. A couple of pot-bellied patriots in skin tight, form fitting nylon suits of the maple leaf do not bear looking at...I leave that to your imagination and hope you aren't at breakfast. The sky is blue, and the sun is warming the air. It promises to be a scorcher.

We decide to take a river cruise. After a short tour of the Byward Market, we wander down the Rideau Locks to await our vessel at the mouth of the locks. There is a lot of activity. Vessels are lined up awaiting their turn in the locks.  It takes about 2 hours to rise the 79 feet and enter the canal. Today passage is free. It normally costs between $0.90 - $5.00 per foot depending on the number of locks a vessel uses, the number of locks and the amount of time on the entire system.

An Empty Rideau Lock

I see marine life following boats as they leave the lock-end to enter the Ottawa River and realize they are Mallard ducks. I’m thinking they have figured out that following boats will provide them with food for less work.  A whistle sounds from the other tour company’s vessel departing Hull. The mallards slowly make their way toward the Ottawa landing.  I think they’ve even figured out the arrival and departure times of the tour boats filled with passengers who are only too eager to toss Doritos, white bread and chimi changas their way.  The Mallards look a pudgy and swim clumsily.

The cruise is well worth it. First, it’s cool on the river. Second, the tour guide is well versed in the local lore. Third, we can remain seated, a definite plus for the more elderly in our group. Fourth, there is food if we become peckish on the two-hour cruise. From the river the parliament buildings look spectacular, far better than seen from the street. All the museums and important buildings are seen from their intended vantage. 24 Sussex Drive, the Prime Minister’s residence and Rideau Hall, the Governor-General’s residence grace the skyline and impose their character upon us wee boat people.  We are in awe (not really, but that’s the intention methinks).

The Parliament buildings from the Ottawa River with a Canadian flag thrown in for nationalism.

Returning from the river cruise we wandered into Byward market and watched a flame thrower thrill the crowd with loads of lame jokes and decent blow torch tricks.  Not something to try at home.  He too was working off his student loans – most folks in Ottawa seemed to be working off their student loans.  Justin, are you listening?

Found the free bus back to Greely and a dead rental truck, 2019 model with everything. Paid a cabbie $20 for a jump, kept the thing running and made it back to camp in time to watch the local fireworks.  They were decent.  Happy Canada Day sleep. 😊