Ottawa Trip - February 2006

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Hard to believe but it's the first time on x-country skis for 2 of these 3 pros! Some people just catch on quickly! We just couldn't hold her back! Nope, no skiing damage, but you don't wear BC shoes to climb over Ottawa's snow banks! Chivalry isn't dead in Ottawa! The view looking 'sorta' west from the 9th floor. The homesick view! The view looking 'sorta' north over the Pont du Portage Bridge and the Ottawa River towards Hull, PQ. The building housing the Supreme Court of Canada. Howard, did you ever collect for that bet?? Parliament Building with the Peace Tower in front and the flag flying high in the breeze. 'Nuff to make you feel proud. No introductions required here! It was a bright sunny day and the temp was a balmy -5C or so with just enough breeze to cut through whatever you were wearing. THE building as seen through a wall of ice. Peace Tower with the Centennial Flame in the foreground. Just a couple of local beauties I picked up for the price of a hot coffee. Guess you didn't know we had unicorns in Canada did you. From the top of the Peace Tower looking over the roof of the library and the Ottawa River. Museum of Civilization at left-center. Looking sorta west with the four spaceships coming in to land. I guess they're looking for intelligent life ... hmmm, in Ottawa! The large glass building is the US Embassy. Little better shot of the Museum of Civilization in the centre of the pic. The next few shots were all inside the parliament building. A ceiling somewhere. This is where the elected reps call each other names. (The House) This is where the appointed old folks sleep. (The Senate) This shot and the next are the same - this one was taken with a flash and ... ... this one without a flash. Heck, I thought it was interesting! Entrance road to the Lac Leamy Casino. Ice sculpture for the Casino. A bunch of ice sculptures coming up. They're all part of the Winterlude Festival (Bal de Neige). And now for a couple of the snow sculptures ... ... with more to come later. Can't have too much of a good thing. And fresh from the Olympics, that amazing dance couple ... The world's largest skating rink, The Rideau Canal! Not only can you skate on it, you can drive on it - carefully, and watch out for the slapshots! If you get tired of skating or walking you can always enter the Annual Bedzz Race. Here are just a few of the 40+ entries. Just a few of the excited spectators. And they're off!! You can tell by their feet how serious these competitors are. A rather precarious parking spot! Not sure if the crack was there before he parked or if it came afterwards. That's the idea, get 'em on skis before they can even walk! Just remember you saw it here first! OK Dubai, top that!! Some of those leaves are just plain stubborn! Didn't we see this on a postcard somewhere? You mean it really happens! 'Please protect the flowerbeds!' Who are they trying to kid, must think they're in Victoria or something! Yeah, right! Is that inviting or what and the temp is around -5C without the wind chill! Hardy souls those Ottawanians! More snow sculptures. This was carved into the wall of a longhouse made from snow. Some people just hang pictures. The rest of the longhouse. A more normal looking wall decoration. A corn maze, a hedge maze and in Ottawa, a snow maze! How's that for a slide, at least you don't have to worry about getting into the wrong lane. Now if there had only been a beaver sitting at the bottom of the totem pole, how Canadian would that have been? Rather self explanatory. Hopefully those are birds flying over the parliament buildings either that or I forgot to clean the lens. Now is that a winter scene or what! Chateau Laurier to the left of the parliament buildings. The Pont Alexandra Bridge looking from Hull to Ottawa. Museum of Civilization looking from the bridge. The Chateau Laurier. Rooms were as low as $2.00 when it opened in 1912! I paid $6.50 (plus tax) for a beer in 2006! I goofed, I forgot to take note of the years these were in circulation. Wouldn't even buy a coffee at a Starbucks today. How many did you want? Which came first, the bank or the brewery? Rather interesting pictures on this one and also note the 'Capital of $2,000,000', does that breed confidence or ...? The Library, only thing left standing after the parliament buildings burnt down in 1916. I guess the boat was a bit slow trying to get out of the lock before the freeze-up started. Oh well, just 6 more months 'til Spring. View from the entrance to Major's Hill Park looking at the parliament building on the hill. Peace Tower on the left, Library on the right and Colonel By's statue overlooking the Rideau Canal. <a href='http://www.canajun.com/ottawa/tourism/pictures/intro/colonby2.htm' target='_blank'>For an introduction to Colonel By.</a> Where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River. Don't have to worry about not wearing your sunscreen on days like this. How many jellybeans in the jar? or How many government employees report here daily? Elaine and a new friend. And here are some of her friend's friends. A rather quiet bunch. Joy and Howard housed, fed and toured us around for 10 days without once complaining out loud.<br> Notice how the sunshine just eminates from their home! Hull at dusk. Gromphadorhina portentosa or the Giant Madagasar Hissing Cockroach, Museum of Nature. For the gardeners in the viewing audience. Tastes like chicken, maybe? From the land before time, Museum of Nature. Another view. Interesting skeletal shape. Do you think we used to be able to fly? Well, now we know why the dinaosaurs are extinct! This was after the ice storm and the 38 car pileup on Hwy 417. Sure, sit down, take a break and read the newspaper! Just don't stick your tongue onto the railing. Yep, the trees did look pretty, all glistening in the sun. (As long as you were inside looking out!) Heard he came to Ottawa to escape the New Brunswick winter! You break these off and put them in your drink for a nice pine-ish flavouring. (Sorry, not available in British Columbia!) Private residence of Mr. Corel. Swimming pool is in the building on the left, very impressive and garrish layout! Chateau Laurier in the center, Conference Hall on right, Rideau Canal below the bridge. This was outdoors! I don't know how they could play the guitars - I could hardly press the camera button! Ahhh, yes, so how do they get rid of all that snow? Well, here's your answer - a snow blower (or as some people say, 'a snow sucker') and ... ... a ... ... dump truck brigade! Ten trucks lined up one after the other for this section of road! Yep, that's a boat launching ramp on the St. Lawrence River. I guess if you had an iceboat ... This is probably the only time of year it's safe to go for a long walk on a short pier. I think they said it wasn't very warm out here, and just think, the crocuses are already coming up in Vancouver. But there is a certain prettiness to it. And there are very few crowds to contend with. Bridge over the St. Lawrence to Wellesley Island and then into the US. (Travelling right to left.) BRRRRRRR! An Airphibian, interestingly this has been reinvented (new version) and is supposed to be available in 2009. ($148,000) Requires a private pilot license and the new one can be driven on freeways. Another solution to the traffic problem. Amelia Earhart???? Click on the image for some interesting audio facts about this 'Plane'? <embed src='../115a.mp3' width=145 height=45 autostart='false'> Ever heard of a biplane with folding wings? Elaine had an artsy moment. Looks neat. The Ottawa River, the people near the vehicles in the distance are ice fishers. I think it's easier to go to the fish monger! This is also the Ottawa River with a small thermal, I guess, (I made that up) but with more ice fishers. Brave souls right at the edge. Another postcard scene. The National Art Gallery. Interestingly, the same or very similar sculpture is located outside of the Guggenheim Museum in Spain. Click on the images for a listing of links with interesting information about Ottawa.