Having moved back to Toronto I had the urge to see the eastern cities I used to visit regularly - Ottawa Montreal Quebec city (or the CFL east as I call it).
With a favourite band headkining a craft beer fest in Ottawa and summer nearing an end I thought this would be a great start.
I booked an extremely cheap VIA Rail ticket and splurged on a business class seat for the return (still cheap!).
The via ride was comfortable with about 60% capacity as we past Kingston. A very underrated form of travel it is much less stressful than flying.
My initial plan was to bring my road bike around Ottawa for the weekend as I read and it was advertised by a couple of government sponsored cycling groups (ahem Ontario!) That for certain major stops via takes bikes as is, no need to disassemble or out in a box. AFTER having booked my tickets I found that no baggage car exists on the Toronto Ottawa line and there is no such thing as "checked baggage" ....therefore, no way to bring a bike on board. Having learned that I hit the tourist brochures and discovered a wealth of events that are happening still for the 150th
As I pulled into Ottawa on a thruway night, I couldn't help but notice the quiet that surrounded me. From exiting the train, walking through the station , waiting for the bus no one said a word to each other, no horns honked, no Buzz of a. Major city at all. In fact all I heard was the announcers voice at the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton stadium scored the way where rh minor league team plays
I opted for the bus this time to take me downtown as Google maps told me it was just a few minutes longer than a cab (dedicated bus lanes in Ottawa).
No word on the bus except for the kid
Brand new bus
Dead town
Caucasian cab driver did not know here whereas going or the market
Sens house was close don a thruway night to "`watch all the big games"
Big Corina beers knowing I'm close to Quebec
After peeking into a couple of Brew pub I ended at Lafayette where a guitar duo was about to Belt out a few times on the same west of stages and with Hickey stick microphones. While there I started talking to the only kilted piper in Parliament Hill piping attire in the bar as he reached in, past me, to order his usual after his shift. He explained he only has a couple of weeks before the weather shuts it down until next year. Form there I wandered homes having stayed out later than planned.no without a stop first to three brothers for a shawarma.
Friday morning I had to move hotels so I checked out of the Capital hill inn and suites, cheap cheerful and clean. Centrally located along metcalf street. I made the 11 minutes trek to Business inn and suites on elgin. Again a cheap and cheerful BUT SPACIOUS unit. Essentially a full one bedroom suite with giant kitchen, it's own desktop computer, dining table and large balcony, free breakfast. Stuck in the 70s, it served it's purpose.
Wandered around Sparks street and discovered the Kontinuum exhibit. Vaguely worded in its description, the exhibit of light and the concepts spaces time and everyone has a personal frequency, taking place in the almost completed station of the new Ottawa Confederation line (subway). An interesting and unique thing to do thing in Ottawa. And it was free.
Walked into galineau to visit the hockey history exhibit at the musem.if history. .....
After visiting I continued to walk the loop back to downtown Ottawa. Where I had lunch at ....darcy mcgee
I went back to the hotel, changed and picked up my ticket for the Trews at the mill street brewpub grounds right on the Ottawa River. Although gates opened at 5pm I knew The Trews would not be on before 930pm. So it was time to revisit Byward market again in hopes of a livelier Friday after work scene.
On Saturday I ventured to the optometrist for an unexpected lens check and wound up in thr gkebe. Noticing the on slaughter of REDBlacks jerseys heading south I realized I was not far from the stadium. So I wandered down to the lansdowne Park area
The most luxurious pre game tail gate party in pro football with every restaurant offering available. And all packed. Great atmowphere. I bought a standing room only ticket at $35. The stadium is a uniquely open design where you can watch form end zone patios, various tiers of stairs in the corners, an entire covered floor on the south side or from one of the condos but right into the stadium! A fantastic sunny day and the REDBlacks won against the BC Lions in a threatening comeback in the fourth quarter.
I tired to best th traffic and buses (there are a lot here in Ottawa!) And took an user back to the hotel for a change and charge of the phone (the nights are becoming cooler at this time if year). After also catching up on some news I headed to Parliament Hill and parked myself dead center so I could have the best peripheral view of the Northern Lights show projected onto the front of the Parliament buildings. A thoughtful walk through Canada's history and how this great country came to be.
After filling my phone with pictures and videos it was time to eat - a late dinner. I wandered back towards Elgin in order to avoid the rush of people around the Parliament buildings (and likely filling up the Sparks street bars). I noticed Johnny Farina as I passed it several times in last couple of days staying at the hotel
