Blogs from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, North America - page 12

Today we got to our destination... Ottawa where we got to sleep in a real bed. Cause we were at a friends house. We had salmon for diner. I got to use the computer. It's been too hot or raining too much to do anything out side. So we were inside most of the day. But for supper we went out to a really good Italian place and I had pizza. Snake Wrangler signing out.... read more

We left for the Rideau canal system in the after noon. We decided to go from Lower Brewers lock to Jones Falls. When we got their and consulted with the lock station master, we adjusted our paddle plan from Upper Brewers to Chaffeys lock. He said this was the most beautiful section of the canal system. So did any number of people we passed on route. We set up camp at a beautiful lock station. All the locks have old stone houses for the station master and crew. Parks Canada manicures the grass and allows camping at each lock site for those paddling the system. We had a lovely meal by the limpid waters of the lock although with too many mosquitos. In the morning we hit the water after Jacob got a chance to help ... read more

The drive to Ottawa was spectacular; good company (Andrea, Chekesha, Henrietta, Quita and her husband Joe), great conversation, games, music, stopping to eat, potty breaks and gas tank refills. I had an insight into a distinction regarding transformation and regeneration. Having shed 35 lbs. within 3 months (Feb through May) and seeing my body take on a new shape and appearance, I wondered if what I went through was a transformation. I also noticed I had been watching a lot of Dr. Who, specifically the current and 10th regeneration of the Doctor. I began to wonder about the difference between regeneration and transformation and during the drive, shared my thoughts about each wi... read more

We decided that given all of the capital cities in the world we've been to, it was a bit strange that we had never been to our own. So on our way back from Montreal we stopped in Ottawa for three nights and had a great mini holiday being proper tourists for the first time so far on this trip. We stayed at the Albert at Bay Hotel right downtown, booked through Ottawa Tourism in a promo they had where if you book two nights in a hotel, the third night is free (thanks to Mr. Munn for the tip!). Perfect! Best part was the full kitchen, which meant we got to make our own yummy breakfasts every morning. Shane and I wandered around all of the main sights in town and managed to get in ... read more

The Plan With eight consecutive weeks off in the summer, I finally have a perfect opportunity to do a little travelling. After much debate, a little (lot?) verbal sparring and some major compromise (mostly Caroline.. REAL MEN don't compromise!) we solidified plans to tour Central and Eastern Europe for four consecutive weeks. In 2010 I was able to visit some of Europe's largest and most toured cities (Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam) as part of a business trip. For the Caroline, this will be her first trip to the continent. Over the course of the past six months travel plans have been scrapped, adapted, optimizied and changed (many times) due to various factors (thanks for nothing Hungarian train system). As of today, the trip has been booked (planes, trains and automobiles), accomodations have been reserved and ... read more