Days 22 and 23 ...yes I said off leash

Day 22

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Woke up to a beautiful morning ... off to discover Ottawa

I had been here before a few years ago for Lori's birthday 
but this is Glen's first visit 

we quickly discovered parking is scarce in our capital city

finally found a good spot after about an hour of trying 

tourism season is in full swing that's for sure

totally different than my first visit

that time of year was the fall and it was a lot quieter 

first stop was the Canadian war Memorial 

two young airmen were standing guard on a very hot day 

we were happy to hear they only stood guard for one hour at a time 

off to buy tickets for the hop on hop off bus and the river cruise

while waiting for our time to board the bus we spot a pub nearby 

went in to enjoy a glass of wine each and share some poutine

time to board our bus but no hopping off for us today

to get oriented we will stay on the entire hour and a half 

a couple from Langley who were on the bus said the ferry to
 Newfoundland would cost $300 

hmm .... we will have to check that out

next onto the Ottawa river cruise

Lorraine was our guide and offered a wonderful commentary 

we had seen the front of all the major attractions like 24 Sussex   

but on the boat trip we were now seeing them from the back 

it was interesting to see boats navigating 
through the locks of the Rideau Canal

As we head back to the trailer after a wonderful day in 
Ottawa the skies grew dark ...a storm was on its way 

thunder and lightening were overhead then it pelted with the rain 

with-in the hour it was all over and we were back at the trailer to a very happy puppy

Day 23

Wednesday, July 24

there's a little chill in the air today

the weather network is not predicting rain but it's definitely not as hot

today we know where to park so that will give us an extra hour

just as we arrived we caught the tail end of the changing of the guards at the 
Parliament buildings which happens at 10:30 every day
off to obtain our tickets for the parliament building tour

then on to hop on and off the bus and come back at 4:30 for our tour

during our bus ride we hopped off at the Canadian war Museum

and the Museum of Civilization
 both awesome museums and we could've spent more time at both of them

as we make our way back to the Parliament buildings for our tour

we stop to eat at a pub right near the Parliament buildings

Other than eating at Doug and Louise's house this is only the second time during our
trip that we have eaten out ... pretty good eh!!!
 

Allison from Newfoundland it our Parliament tour guide
we had a little chat with her about the elusive ferry
she didn't know about the rates but did give us a couple of tips
she was a very funny and witty guide... enjoyed her tour very much
after a Starbucks stop we head back to the trailer
Missy again is very happy to see us

A few things I have noticed in Ottawa

many more people smoking

many more African Canadians

a lot of bicycle riding

of course much more bilingualism

something else I don't think I have mentioned before

because most of the campsites are half empty dad can take 
Missy for a walk off leash...yes I said off leash

I watch them out the window as she waddles behind him

tootle-loo

S, G & M