July 12-17, 2013 - Ann de Bellevue to Ottawa

We left the St. Lawrence Seaway and entered Lake St. Louis and then the Ottawa River.  We came into crowded Ann de Bellevue and was told about the construction holiday in Quebec.  Apparently the construction industry shuts down for two weeks and all the folks take to the waterways.  We had an opportunity to move above the lock and took it so we could get an early start the next morning.  That night we were treated to another incredible sunset.

We had a scenic trip to the Carillon Lock aka the Guillotine Lock.

Carillion Lock aka the guillotine.

Barefoot'n moves some water trying to make it

 to the lock for the opening - an impressive 21.9 mph!

The lock was full however...

We missed the lock opening, but an hour later SeaGlide was the first to enter.  We had a total of 11 boats lock through together in our group.  The water was like glass on the other side until all the small boats flew around us.

Luckily we got to the free wall in Hawksbury while all the small boats were having fun out on the water - we couldn't believe our luck.

Hawksbury

As we planned to take advantage of Park Canada's free wall system the next several nights, we went on the hunt for a marina to do a pump out - not so easy to find in Canada despite their stringent "no dump" policies.  We found out that the Fairmont Marina would do a pump out for $25 - we paid the expensive Fairmont price so we wouldn't have to worry about it.  The Fairmont is actually the largest log structure in Canada, but we couldn't see it as the marina and hotel were both full - this is the closest we came.

It was a busy day on the water as we made our way into Ottawa - lots of cigarette boats and airplanes.  We got into Ottawa in time to do the impressive flight of 8 locks.  

Coming into Ottawa 

 

The flight of 8 - you go from one lock to the next. 

Once you reach the 8th lock you are in the Rideau Canal in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

View from the top of lock 8.

 

The canal through downtown

 

 

 

 

 

 

State building undergoing cleaning - stone by stone.

 

Parliament Building

 

 

Changing of the Guard Ceremoney performed every morning at 1000.

 

Inside Parliament

 

Canada's Remberance Hall

In this room they keep books with the names of those that have

perished in service of their country.

Every war or conflict has its own book and each day a page

in the book is turned so that all the names are visible at least once a year.

 

Ceiling shots

Views from the Clock Tower

Nighttime light show performed on the Parliament building.

The narrative tells the history of Canada.

 

 Supreme Court

 



War Museum

SeaGlide on the wall in downtown Ottawa.

 

 Performing to make money for his education fund.

 



Cleaning initiative performed on old buildings - here's the difference.

Relaxing on the Parliament lawn.

So long Ottawa.