June 27, Touring Ottawa

In a city brimming with Canadian history, the Rideau Canal, an engineering masterpiece, is one of the Capital’s strongest links to the past.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the canal has evolved with the Capital.  It was planned after the War of 1812, to provide a safe way to transport troops and equipment between Montreal and Kingston. In 1826 Colonel John By uttered his historic pronouncement that “we will begin here.”  He decided the Rideau Canal   would begin its 125 mile route to Kingston in the little valley where the stair case of eight locks are to be found today.  As times changed,  so did the canal, as it became first a commercial, then a recreational waterway.  Today, thousands of joggers, paddlers, boaters and ice skaters enjoy the Rideau Canal each year.  Yes, ice skaters, they drain the canal in the winter to make it the largest skating rink!

Our firsts top was to Parliament Hill to watch the changing of the guard.  What a thrill to see the two troops pass the guard key to the next shift of soldiers taking their place. 

Then on to the bus tour which drove pass Rideau Hall, Bank of Canada, Royal Canadian Mint,  Byward Market,  Notra Dame Church, and many museums and foreign embassays.

We decided to stop at Rideau Hall which was built in 1838 as an 11-room villa in the countryside outside Bytown, now Ottawa.  In 1866, businessman Thomas McKay built an 11-room villa in the countryside outside Bytown, now Ottawa.  In 1866, the house and surrounding estate became the official residence and workplace of Canada’s governor general, the Queen’s representative in Canada.  Rideau Hall is where the governor general welcomes visiting heads of state and other dignitaries.  The grounds were gorgeous.