25-26 July 2023

First of all, thanks are due to “Byron’s Urban Oasis” Boondockers Welcome host. Unfortunately, we never met them, but we truly appreciate the opportunity to sleep in their city driveway for three nights. It is important to pay attention to the host’s parameters. If Intuition was any longer, it would not have fit in front of their camper!

The great thing about staying in the city is we didn’t have to drive or worry about parking. 

The “Transitway” was a pleasant surprise. This road, solely dedicated to busses, had us zipping into the city centre without any traffic delays.

The downtown transit terminal was easy to navigate. Here we switched from the Transitway to a local bus that delivered us to Parliament Hill.

And here is Canada’s Parliament building.  The historic complex is undergoing a major renovation. The project is planned for completion in 2030 or 2031.

Little touches like this geometric access ramp added to an historic building were interesting.

The flight  of 8 locks lowers and raises boats almost 80 feet.

First built for warships, these locks have been in continuous operation since 1832.

The wooden gates are still opened and closed by hand.

The Paula-D was our vessel for a cruise on the Ottawa River.

A wide variety of vessels are available to get around the city riverfront.

The tour boat offered a different view of Parliament.  The beautiful round tower sits atop the Library of Parliament.

Law enforcement has a presence on the water.

Colorful wooden buildings of the Ottawa Rowing Club contrast with the dark governmental buildings of Global Affairs Canada.

Canada’s first Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Sir John A. Macdonald lived in this home in the late 1800’s.  It was purchased by the United Kingdom and is now home to the UK High Commissioner in Canada. 

Rideau Falls has two branches as the Rideau River is split by Green Island before the waters drop into the Ottawa River.

Gorffwysfa, one of two official residences of Canada’s Prime Minister, was completed in 1868. The name is Welsh for “place of rest.” 

The northern Rideau falls are wider and we used a time exposure to give the photo a different look.

Yet another interesting watercraft.

Modern buildings are rising across the river in Québec as we head back upriver.

What waterfowl can you expect to see in Ottawa? None would be more appropriate than Canada Geese.

Paula-D’s crew prepared us for docking.

The elegant Fairmont Château Laurier rises beside the locks.

A pleasure vessel has their fenders deployed waiting to ascend the eight steps to the Rideau Canal.

Water cascades through wooden lock gates as the level is lowered to meet the Ottawa River.

Disembarking from our cruise boat, we decided to follow the canal into town.

Boat tours are available if you don’t want to walk. This one was electric, so it would be a quiet ride.

The Governor General’s Foot Guards march from Cartier Square Drill Hall. The first floor houses a museum.

The canal path is popular for biking.

Beth along the canal pathway.

The canal made a right hand turn at the German Embassy where we decided to turn around.

Returning to the waterfront, we explored Major’s Hill Park where Beth found this very wide tree.

Across the street we peeked over the fence at the US Embassy compound.

Ready for a late afternoon lunch, the Brig Pub on York Street filled us up.

Just in case we didn’t know where we were, York Street had a giant Ottawa sign.

Passing the Croffle shop window we weren’t hungry, but this sounds like a fun food to try in the future.

Heading back to Parliament and our bus stop we passed this antique bicycle* padlocked to a light post.

Day two in the city dawned with a chance of rain. Beth checked the bus schedule and they were running on-time.

One of our first stops was Canada’s Supreme Court building. Like other historic buildings in the city, it is undergoing restoration.

Around the corner, the Confederation Building (1932) houses the Public Works Department of Canada.

Reflections of historic buildings appear in the Bank of Canada Museum windows.

Gothic details such as this gentleman above the doorway give older buildings personality.

Public Art adorns the city sidewalks.

Just down the street, a circular wall at the “Garden of the Provinces” illustrates the flower of each province.

Here is the Prickly Rose for our Alberta friends.

From the gardens, Beth lead us back to Parliament Hill.

The House of Commons at West Block

The Centennial Flame burns in front of the Centre Block of Parliament with its beautiful Peace Tower.

We are here for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.  Definitely a highlight of our visit!

Beth chatted with the friendly drummer asking why he was the only one who didn’t wear a Beaver Hat.  It’s because he isn’t “on parade” (marching). He gets to be seated at his drum set.

This uniformed loon carving was available in a nearby shop.

Lions are guarding the Royal Canadian Mail.

Water bottle filling stations were thoughtfully placed around the city.

Walking wasn’t the only way to see the area, but we remained on foot.

The National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Two of the guards that change out during the ceremony can be seen on duty. 

A life size tribute to the great jazz pianist from Montréal, Oscar Peterson. (1925 – 2007) sits outside the National Arts Center.

Confederation Park features this beautiful monument

The First Baptist Church, built in 1863, stands surrounded by high rise buildings.

Confederation Park had welcome shade and this pretty fountain.

Also in the park is this Memorial to Canadian Volunteers who died in the South African Boer War between 1899 and 1902.

Ottawa’s City Hall

V.I.P. is the Virtual Instrument Paradigm by Michael Bussière. Sensors in the sculptures generate sound based on movement detected on the path.  Very innovative for 1996!

Canadian Firefighters Memorial

Sharing a second photo since we have several friends who are volunteer firefighters.

Visitors to Canadian National Parks will recognize the iconic red chairs. Canada also places them at national monuments. 

Ottawa’s Central train station, built in 1912, is now the temporary home of the Canadian Senate. 

Information on free tours can be found here: Senate Tours

The five story tall main foyer hosts an impressive clock, ever important to railroad travel.

Benches preserved from the original station give visitors and politicians a place to relax before entering the senate chamber.

Senate Chamber

Outside again, we found more interesting sculptures.  

Across the street Beth was dwarfed by a giant spider that even appeared to have eggs.

We noticed sundials on the walls of this building across the street from our next destination. They have been displaying accurate time since 1851, the second oldest sundials in North America.

Our final Ottawa tour was of the Royal Mint. 

Ready for a rest, and not needing any of her uniforms altered, Beth looked up the next bus as we wound down our visit to Ottawa.

Ottawa, Ontario