Helen's Home World: A Capital Adventure

Saturday, June 18, 2016

A Capital Adventure

Every day on my bus ride to work we cross over a bridge and from the bus windows I can see the Ottawa River Pathway, a biking and walking trail that goes along the shore of the Ottawa River. For years now I been meaning to bring the dogs down for a walk along this pathway. Well we finally did it. I tried last weekend, even got all the way down town but it was raining by the time we got there so we just headed back home. This weekend it was hot and sunny so I decided in the morning was a good time to go. We were downtown by 9:20 am but still there was already lots of people cycling, running and walking on the pathway.

Near the start of our walk

First we walked over to the Navy monument, erected for the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy. Always thought I was missing something seeing it from the bus but there wasn't all that much to see on the other side either.

Navy Monument

I think it's supposed to represent the prow of a ship. The battles that Navy has participated in are etched on this side but they're pretty hard to see, impossible in this picture. So after a short stop here we backtracked a bit and headed towards the Rideau Canal locks.

Parliamentary Library

Keltic was pulling all the way and diving into the underbrush every time he heard or saw a chipmunk. They were pretty brazen so it happened a lot. He certainly kept Beckett and I moving at a good place. We had to be careful of cyclists, most will let you know when they are passing but some just whiz on by and you don't even hear them until they are right there. Thankfully Keltic seems to have decided he doesn't need to chase bike, roller blades, now that's another story.

Museum of Civilisation

Major's Hill Park

Anyway we made it down to the locks, here we took a short break to sit in the shade and pose for a few pictures on the big red chairs. Silly Mummy didn't even bring any money so I couldn't even get us a treat to share.

Canal winches

Cross for those who died building the canal

The Rideau locks bring boats up from the Ottawa River and into the Rideau Canal, down from the canal too. Today when we were there, they were lifting some boaters up to the canal, we didn't walk up to see them but it's pretty neat to watch if you've never seen how a lock system works.

On the Rideau lock

The canal with the big red chairs (see them?)

Beckett and Keltic enjoying the view.

After taking a break at the canal, we headed back as the parking spot I had was only for two hours. I needn't have worried as there was only one other car there when I got back but you never know when you might get a ticket.

Looking up towards the canal and downtown Ottawa.

On the way back we took couple short breaks, one time this chipmunk came right up over the bank nearly running into Keltic. Boy, did he every scurry back down, Keltic tried to go over the edge too. Good thing for strong leashes.

Victoria Island and Place du Portage

We didn't go to Victoria Island on this trip. There's a land claim by the Algonquin Indians over the island, they have teepees and a stockade built, I'm not sure if they try to keep people off. Today there didn't seem to be anyone around.

VictorisaIsland

The Place du Portage Complex is actually four interconnected buildings, the building with Canada written on it (you might have to make it bigger). I work behind and across the street from this complex. There are thousands of federal government employees working in the complex. I have friends that work in the complex and unless we make plans to meet, I've hardly ever run into them.

We made it back to the car in plenty of time before the two hours was up. And on our way back I discovered that there is a white water kayak course in Ottawa, who knew, well at least I didn't.

Kayak course

So that was our capital adventure for this weekend. I'll have to see if I can discover other free places to park and discover more of the capital with the boys.

4 comments:

DukeJune 19, 2016 at 4:55 AM
What a fun time for you all. Ottawa is beautiful!
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SaraJune 19, 2016 at 8:46 AM
Wow! What a neat place to take a walk. I love watching boats go through lock systems.
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Hailey and Zaphod and their LadyJune 19, 2016 at 1:20 PM
We are lucky to live in such a beautiful area (I know I live further from Ottawa now, but I am in the city a few days a week). I never take enough advantage of it either. Thanks for sharing your walk.
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DianaJune 19, 2016 at 8:06 PM
That looks just lovely. What a great place to walk. Some of my dogs go crazy over bikes. I've worked on it and worked on it and just can't seem to break it.
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother