First Snow!

Last Sunday, we woke up to see snow on the ground...

(I wasn't thrilled! Was this the end of my outdoor walking weather?!)

But yesterday it started to melt away...

No guarantees that it won't be back again... this time to stay!

Perfect Day; Perfect Park

Yesterday was warm and sunny - perfect fall weather!

Terry and I headed out to find a perfect place to enjoy all the day had to offer.

We ended up at Andrew Haydon Park, a place with lots of family memories.

When our children were young, we used to come here for picnics and walks.

The children loved the play structure, which has been updated since then.

Yesterday, there were a few sailboats in the river...

They didn't seem to be moving quickly! There wasn't much wind.

As usual, lots of Canada geese were relaxing on the grass.

We stopped to watch a crane fishing in one of the ponds.

I wonder if he lives nearby - or if he migrates in winter...





...

After a few minutes, he flew off...

As we wandered around, I was reminded that, for three and a half years my mother lived nearby, in an assisted living apartment - her second home in Ottawa. Sometimes groups from the residence would walk in the park...

So many good memories...

Such a beautiful park!

And this is, without a doubt, the best season to enjoy it!

So Much to See and Do!

My life tends to revolve around my neighborhood...

But when Terry and I went over to Jacques Cartier Park yesterday, to see the Mosaica exhibit (see yesterday's blog) - I was reminded of how much there is to see and do in our city.

There are water sports - a canoe team, out early on the Ottawa River...

Anther rower out alone...

Cycling - this cycle path runs along the river...

Then, driving over to the Ottawa side, we saw the market area full of interesting displays...

Wagon rides...

Outdoor musicians... and coffee shops...

Before we knew it, we had walked several miles...

No reason ever to be bored!

Amazing Garden: "Mosaicanada 150"

Today is the last day that an amazing garden is open in Ottawa...

Well, not actually in Ottawa, but across the river from the National Gallery in Ottawa, in Gatineau, Quebec - next to the marina.

Terry and I were there yesterday (at Jacques Cartier park)...

It's open from 10 am to 7 pm.

We were a little early, so we walked around the marina ...

... and took pictures of the garden from a distance through the wire fence.

 When the gate opened, the line up was long, but it moved along quickly.

The display is called Mosaicanada 150, in celebration of the 150 years since Canada's confederation.

There are iconic figures of people and animals that call to mind Canada's history.

My favorites were horses...

... and other realistic looking animals, like this polar bear...

... and these puffins.

I also loved this prospector - alluding to the gold rush in British Columbia and the Yukon, in the 1800's.

Of course, the trans-Canada railway served to unite the country in its early years...

This train engine, on loan from a Vancouver museum, dates back to those days.

A gigantic lumberjack - another iconic figure...

Some hockey players...

This large face - not sure who she represents...

A truly beautiful exhibit...

There are also volunteers to answer questions... like how this is all done...

And admission is FREE!

(But it ends today...)

See it! It's definitely worth it!

A City Art Gallery

I often go to the public library these days...

Our local branch is housed in a building which was once our city hall - in the days when our part of the town wasn't part of Ottawa, but a separate city called "Nepean."

Nepean prided itself in being debt-free. No debts were incurred, even when this impressive city hall was built.

It still houses city Councillor offices, a theatre, a large library, an art gallery, meeting rooms, spaces for public events - and more...

I couldn't resist stopping in to see the latest exhibit by a local artist...

Such a peaceful, pleasant space to visit!

An Underground Sound and Light Show

Ottawa is finally getting a subway... Its opening is still a year away.

To prepare us for the idea - and to celebrate our 150th anniversary, both as a city and Canada as a country - Ottawa has put on a downtown sound and light show called "Kontinuum" in one of the yet-unfinished subway stations.

And it's free!

Terry and I recently decided to head downtown to see it. We wandered down Sparks Street, a pedestrian mall.

Signs in the sidewalk showed us the way.

It was interesting to see what the future subway will look like, even in misty twilight...

The first part reminded me of an IMAX sound and light voyage through space.

Lots of moving sound and lights.

I think kids would love it - though there are a lot of flashing lights.

When we got to the subway level, we paused for a while, as phantom trains and passengers (all light projections) sped down the track...

A smoke machine added to the sense that this was all an illusion - which, of course, it was!

An interesting surprise was seeing ourselves as holograms among the ghostly crowds...

Then, by escalator or stairway, we headed out into the sunshine again.

The event is a popular one. But it ends in a few weeks.