Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Hot and hazy Saturday, July 6, brought us to downtown Ottawa and a walking tour of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the Women are Persons Monument and the National War Memorial. Simon, our one year old Dalmatian, made his debut as our U.S. Dalmatian Ambassador spreading friendship with his constantly wagging tail and kindness with his licks and kisses. Rosey, our nine year old Dalmatian, stayed back at the campground in the comfort of the air conditioned motorhome.

Simon and Pete at Parliament

(Click to view a larger image)

As we walked around the Parliament grounds we admired the Modern Gothic Revival architecture of the Parliament building and the ornate wrought iron fencing and gates. Buildings as ornate as these seem to be a thing of the past. We were pleased to see that there is a huge restoration project in progress to preserve these buildings.

 

Ornate wrought iron gates in front of Parliament

(Click to view a larger image)

At the Rideau Canal (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/natcul.aspx) we watched pleasure boats move through the locks as water rose and workers used hand cranks to open the locks to allow the boats to move up the canal. This is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. It is 202 km long and its route can take you from Ottawa all the way to Kingston. It takes about 1.5 hours for a boat to complete the short span of about five locks in the heart of Ottawa.

Hand cranks used to open the lock

(Click to view a larger image)

 

 

Lock opening to let boats pass through

(Click to view a larger image)



 

The Women are Persons Monument (http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/tresors-treasures/?page_id=2562&lang=en) was a popular attraction when compared to the many other statues located throughout the Parliament Hill grounds. This monument commemorates the lives of five women who fought to be recognized by the Canadian government as persons during the 1920s and therefore be allowed to run for public office.

 

Statues at Women are Persons Monument

(Click to view a larger image)

 



We watched the Canadian ceremonial guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which lies at the foot of the National War Memorial.  The National War Memorial was originally erected as a tribute to Canadians who served during the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. Eventually it was rededicated to represent all Canadians who have served during war.

 

National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

(Click to view a larger image)

With tired and hot feet, we headed back to our campground and called it a day.

Over the next couple of days, we will be traveling through Canada and heading back into the U.S. to make a couple of stops in Michigan.

The adventure continues…