| Touring visitors around Ottawa is one of those | | | | have fed the 26 plus colony of stray cats. Formality |
| pleasures that just gets better and better as you | | | | and compassion in harmony. You can't get any more |
| uncover more intricate history, attractions and unique | | | | Canadian than that, eh!3)Drive along Sussex Drive |
| sights. The Capital City of Canada, Ottawa, could also | | | | from Rideau Street and continue through the |
| be dubbed 'The Museum Capital of Canada'. With | | | | round-about at 24 Sussex and Rideau Hall (across the |
| over 13 major museums, a dozen government | | | | street) on up to the RCMP Musical Ride Training |
| attractions, and an extensive Art Gallery, there is | | | | Facility. You might even get to feed the horses |
| something to satisfy every curiosity, every history | | | | through the fence! On the return drive enjoy the |
| buff, every art connoisseur and every entertainment | | | | Ottawa River look-off, zip up into Rockcliffe Park to |
| taste. You could literally spend months touring this | | | | see Embassies, Ambassadors' Homes and homes of |
| Museum Gem of Canada.Chatting with the local | | | | the Ottawa elite. Park near Rideau Hall, walk its |
| guides, Members of Parliament (MPs), security | | | | beautiful gardens and capture the Changing of the |
| persons and even Royal Canadian Mounted Police | | | | Guard.4)No trip to Ottawa is complete with out a |
| (RCMP) has uncovered a few 'off the beaten path' | | | | drive up into Gatineau Park, a short drive to an |
| attraction anomalies that add to the intrigue and | | | | entrance just over one of the 5 bridges between the |
| beauty of the Canada's National Capital Region.1)The | | | | provinces of Ontario and Quebec. This park is a |
| Acoustic Anomaly of the Baldwin-LaFontaine Statue | | | | mecca for mountain bikers. On one excursion we |
| on Parliament Hill. Tucked to the right and behind the | | | | watched a black bear eating by the side of road just |
| main Parliament building, up behind the statue of | | | | a short distance inside this park. Drive right up to the |
| Queen Elizabeth II sitting on a horse. Robert Baldwin | | | | Champlain Look-off, which overlooks the Ottawa |
| and Louis LaFontaine established responsible | | | | Valley and Ottawa River. Gatineau Park is on the |
| government in Canada with the 1841 reunion of | | | | edge of the Canadian Shield. An incredible site any |
| Upper and Lower Canada. Stand front and center and | | | | time, but particularly a perfect place in the Autumn. |
| face this monument that looks like a mini stage. | | | | You might be lucky enough to view the excitement |
| Speak in a normal voice and listen.. The sound has | | | | of hang gliders or para-gliders against this pristine |
| the natural acoustic amplification qualities like those of | | | | valley backdrop. Oh! You must exit the park through |
| a mini Red Rocks Colorado amphitheater. Don't leave | | | | Chelsea so you can enjoy the homemade ice cream |
| yet! Sit two people opposite each other; one at the | | | | and waffle cones of La Cigale.5)Bicycle along the |
| extreme right and one at the extreme left edges of | | | | miles and miles of pathways throughout the National |
| the 'stage'. Have the two whisper a conversation | | | | Capital region. And if that is not enough, every |
| back and forth. WOW!2)The Cat Sanctuary on | | | | summer Sunday morning, sections of the River |
| Parliament Hill is to the left of the main Parliament | | | | Parkway are blocked to regular automobile traffic for |
| building. For over 18 years and counting, volunteers | | | | your biking, walking and running pleasure. |