A President's Day weekend escape to the wintry north.
Arriving in Ottawa on the last weekend of their Winterlude (winter festival), we checked into the historic Chateau Laurier hotel and then checked out the "Beaver Tail" - as in local pastry specialty - situation. By day we skated on the Rideau Canal, explored the Canadian Musem of Civilization and toured the Parliament building. At night we'd wander the town and admire the floodlit ice and snow sculptures.
Date(s): February 2002. Album by David Kohl. Photos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg. 1 - 20 of 20 Total. 2582 Visits.
Beaver Tails First served in 1978, Beaver Tails are flat, deep-fired pastries shaped like a beaver tail. You can choose a topping of cinnamon and sugar, chocolate or -for the more adventerous - garlic and cheese.
Rideau Canal Locks The canal and locks were built between 1826 and 1832 to provide a safe route for the military betwen Montreal and Kingston.
Canal View In winter, the canal freezes over and becomes the world's longest (5 miles)skating rink. There are heated shelters, skate rental kiosks and food concessions located along the route. You can even call a Skateway Hotline to find out about current conditions.
Chateau Laurier One of Ottawa's premier landmarks, the Chateau Laurier was built in 1912 in the same Loire Valley Renaissance style as the Chateau Fronterac in Quebec City. Information at: http://www.fairmont.com/laurier/
Hotel Window View View of the Parliament House from our hotel window.
View From Chateau Laurier
Parliament Building The Parliament buildings consist of three blocks of buildings - the east, west and centre blocks. The building houses the Senate, House of Commons and Library of Parliament.
Parliament Building Information at: http://www.ottawakiosk.com/parliament_buildings.html
Parliament Interior There are free guided tours of the centre block which may include the House of Commons, Senate and the Library of Parliament.
Peace Tower The Peace Tower is the over 300 foot campanile that dominates the Centre Block's facade. It houses a 53-bell carillon, a huge clock and an observation deck.
Marriage Proposal A marriage proposal stomped out in the snow as viewed from the observation deck of the Peace Tower.
Peace Tower View View of the Ottawa River.
Parliament Building with freezing David
Canadian Museum Of Civilization Over 40 totem poles line the Grand Hall. Information at: http://www.civilization.ca/
Museum Interior
Peace March A Sunday morning anit-war march through the streets of central Ottawa protesting against the USA's inexorable moves to attack Iraq.
Ice Sculpture Every year, the first three weekends in February are devoted to Winterlude - the city's annual celebration of the chilliest time of year.
Ice Sculpture Downtown Ottawa and nearby Hull are transformed into winter wonderlands filled with snow and ice sculptures, dog-sled rides and snow sledding hills during the annual Winterlude.