Ottawa!

Friday, July 19 - Monday, July 22, 2013

As we follow westerly along the Ottawa River Quebec is on our starboard and Ontario is to our port. Isolated showers were predicted for the day. As if we had a target on our bow, we received a direct hit. Blinding rain made it nearly impossible to see. We tracked our boating buddies on radar hoping no other issues developed. Then we lost the satellite connection on our back-up chart plotter! Why should a boat named Irish Attitude be exempt from Murphy's Law! We have been using just the I-Pad since entering Canada. As we found out our Garmin chart plotter only covered the Canadian boarder not the inland the waterways. Paper charts to the rescue! Landscape pictures were hindered by the weather. Bridges are limited but car ferries are numerous. One section had 6 ferries crisscrossing the river. Lines on shore were long and this was only 3:00 in the afternoon. Rush hour must be crazy!

Fairmont Le Château Montebello a Huge Rustic Resort 

Luckily We Passed this Ferry Crossing Prior to the Rain
(and that folks is an Irish attitude!)

Rideau River Empties Into the Ottawa River Over Twin Falls
Rideau Means Curtain. Aptly named by Samuel de Champlain 

Canadian Parliament

Mountain Structure ??? I Can't Explain It

Intricate Details

The rain cleared as we docked around 5 pm. We didn't venture far. Just far enough to see what we to expect the next day. We would be breaking off from the Ottawa River and entering the Rideau Canal.

The Day Ended With a Beautiful Sunset

At 9 am, Harmony and Irish Attitude entered The Ottawa 8, a flight of 8 consecutive locks. Journey followed about an hour behind. It took us 3.5 hours to complete. Mike did an excellent job piloting while I handled the lines. (I kept thinking, it would be much easier (for us) if the lock attendants just pulled us into the next lock! Oh, well.) Since Saturday was hot and humid, we had plenty of spectators. Some people would follow us up a few flights, asking questions and taking pictures. It was fun to explaining America's Great Loop while waiting for the water level to rise. One woman asked Rick to hold her baby so she could get a picture! I was too busy to take many pictures but I found the next 2 online and would like to credit Ken Watson*.

*Looking Down and Up the Ottawa 8

Transitioning from Lock 1 to 2

5 Boats Locked Through Together

Observers Overhead

Lock 8, The End is Near!

Irish Attitude Docked Behind the Canal Tour Boats.
A View Worthy of A Postcard!

The Same Scene in Winter!

There was minimal lift from lock 1 to 2 and again from 3 to 4 but the remaining locks were more noticeable. In all we rose just over 79 ft. I expected a t-shirt or at least a participation ribbon! Instead, settled happily for a space on the wall! By the time Rick and Margi completed the locks we had secured them a piece of the wall too. This was not a marina so there was no bath house. Bless Janet! She walked across the street to the Westin Ottawa Hotel. The desk clerk graciously gave her a key to access the showers in the exercise room. Better yet, the offer was extended to Margi and I also! After the grueling morning in the sun this was a true gift. With a bag of clean clothes we entered the front lobby. Thankfully we did not share the elevator with the hotel guests. Everything was provided; shampoos, lotions, fluffy towels and blow dryers. A piece of Heaven!

Unusual Canvas....

Inspired a Local Artist

Ottawa... What an amazing city! It ranks as one of our favorite ports. It is, of course the Canada's capitol and located in the province of Ontario. The city blends history with modern, culture and athletics, French and English. Feeling refreshed, we set off to explore. So much to see, so little time! Mike and I have not spent much time in museums as we travel. Preferring instead to absorb the flavor of the places we are lucky to visit. Nearby was ByWard Market Square. Unique shops outline a huge farmer's market where street performers entertain.

Bob Shared This Local Pastry (Similar to an Elephant Ear!)

Totem Pole on George Street

Street Performer Balances His Wife on
 His Shoulders While Juggling Fire!

Fairmont Chateau-Laurier

Parliament Hill, From Across the River from the Fairmont's Balcony

A Look Back at the Mornings Accomplishment

Ottawa 8 at Dusk

Westin Ottawa Hotel

Our Luxury Showers!!

Confederation Square War Memorial

The Rising Moon

Heading Across the Rideau Canal to Parliament Hill

Saturday's highlight was the light show at Parliament. As we crossed the canal we joked about being able to stay awake late enough. Looper midnight is 9 pm! We arrived before dark and found our place right of center on a curb. I am not sure what we expected but it was surely exceeded. I have asked a lot of my phone camera but it was impossible to avoid clipping the edges as the light show began. Together with Mike's videos, we captured a variety. 

Let the Show Begin!

Canada's Beginning - A Moose in the Pines

Harnessing The Waterways 

Every Window is Outlined

Like the U.S., the Rail System United This Vast Country
From British Columbia to Nova Scotia

Amazing Color

A Tribute to Famous Canadians

O Canada!

Ottawa is a big cycling city. The Rideau Canal is lined with bicycle paths. On Sundays Colonel By Drive, next to the canal, is closed to cars and bicyclist of all ages take over. It made for a peaceful day. We visited with other boaters.The brothers aboard Yintzer pulled in overnight. I made a trip to the redi-med. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Both the office visit and the script were priced reasonably! It was a relief after hearing horror stories of outrageous charges.

Monday morning we pulled out of Ottawa before 9 am. Here are some parting shots of this beautiful city.

Draw Bridge

Dow Lake in the Background

The Bike Path Continues

Nice Digs!

A Kayak Race Slowed Our Pace