Ottawa 2012

Smith's Falls, the Perfect Detour

For our anniversary in 2012, we thought we'd make a pilgrimage to our nation's capital. So, we loaded our bikes onto Little Car's new

hitch-mounted bike rack, and off we went! If you're ever going to Ottawa, leave early and make a quick stop at the Railway Museum of Eastern Canada (http://rmeo.org/),

they have a delightful collection of trains, cars, and odd little rail vehicles. It's in Smith's Falls. It's not big enough that you get lost,

but they had enough interesting and interactive exhibits to keep us occupied for about two hours.

This converted 1947 Cadillac served to carry the CPR president on his inspection rounds.
The Dental Car, and a couple of other cute little rail vehicles.
The Dental Car was towed from town to town in Northern Ontario, providing free dental care. It has dental facilities (obviously), a kitchen, and two bedrooms. It was in operation until the late 1970s.
Locomotive 6591 is a diesel electric powered locomotive and was in service until 1982. The gentleman walking to the right actually started her up right after this picture was taken.
We actually got to pump this baby down the tracks - it moves pretty quick, but its hard on the arms.
These little cars, also known as speeders, were used to quickly transport crews over short distances.
The historic Smith's Falls railway station, now a museum. Note little car, hiding behind a civic.
This snow plow, built in 1935, was in service until 2008.
Not too sure about this car. It's meant to drive both on and off tracks, and was owned by Hershey (so the plaque says).
We'd have been happy if this guy followed us home! Lovely little wooden caboose, built in 1945, retired in 1990.
This steel framed wooden car turned 100 in 2012! Happy birthday.

Cycling in Ottawa

We've all been to Ottawa (right?), so I won't bore you here with pictures of Parliament and the Byward market. I'll do that soon enough in another gallery.

The cyling paths in Ottawa are quite nice, especially the path along the Ottawa river, which is peaceful and picturesque. We did this circuit:

ottawa cycling route

The path along the Rideau Canal is nice, and well used. Maybe a bit too well used: pedestrians, speed cyclists, rollerbladers, and pigeons all jockying for a piece of the action. We did find a way to beat the crowds: just cycle in the rain!Our favourite conditions. Cute story - we got to Ottawa on a Saturday night, checked in to our hotel, then headed out to grab dinner. While wandering around (in the rain, of course), we noticed that most of the other pedestrians were carrying these white styrofoam take-out boxes. We scratched our heads as person after person walked past, take-out box in hand. Whichever way we looked - left, right, up, down, north, south, there were people with take-out. There was no discernible pattern: all races and ethnicities, all ages, groups, individuals, all clutching their styrofoam boxes of joy. It was as though Ottawa had embraced take-out as a form of life. If we ever wanted to open a take out restaurant, we began thinking,we had found a truly ripe market! We asked the guy at the coffee shop about it. He thought for a while, then said "Oh yeah, it's rib fest. Those are the leftovers boxes." Yeah, that would explain it. But on that rainy night we learned one other fact about our nation's capital: apparently the only people willing to brave the downpour in Ottawa on that Saturday night were hungry tourists and carnivores! Rib fest must have made a killing.

Taking a break from riding on the Ottawa River trail. In case you were wondering, that blue helmet has, in fact, been an honourable mention as one of the ugliest lids in Mississauga.
Rain seemed to follow us on this trip, but the view of Parliament is quite nice from the trail.
Graffiti on the train bridge that crosses over the river, through Lemieux Island.
The Prince of Wales train bridge, built in 1880.
Rock Art installation along the river, by local artist J.F. Ceprano. Check out his website: www.jfceprano.com
These rock statues are made by a local artist each spring, and they last as long as gravity and the weather allow.
A little unnamed island in the Ottawa river, claimed by gulls. The bridge in the background goes over Bell Island to Lemieux Island. In the background are the buildings of downtown Ottawa.
This was actually right behind the Parliament buildings, and spoke volumes to the popularity of Rib Fest! It smelled, however, as bad as it looked.
Brenda on the Rideau Canal, sporting her fine cycling lid.
Kevn by the Rideau Canal Locks.
The Rideau Canal, under Rideau Street.
The Rideau Canal Locks.

A Quick Tour of Historic Kingston

We'd never been to Kingston, so we thought we'd leave the rain behind and check out the former capital of Upper Canada.

We didn't see much of it, just the harbour, but it was lovely. We had the kind of weather that makes a mediocre photographer feel like a genius.

Springer Market Square at dusk, right behind the Kingston City Hall building.
A view of Fort Henry, across the Kingston Harbour.
This is somewhere along the Kingston Harbour, darned if I can remember where now...
Good wind that day, kept the sailors and the power company in business!
Kingston Marina, with Fort Henry in the background.
Sailboats by the Kingston Yacht Club.
Statue of Sir John in Kingston Park.
The Alexander Henry (named after an 18th C fur trader) was a coast guard ice breaker until it was decommisioned in 1984. Now it's a museum ship, and a bed and breakfast.
The Spirit of Sir John A, also known as Engine 1095, was in service from 1914 to 1960.