Nellie spent the last three nights in the comfortable embrace of downtown Ottawa. We walked, explored and ate our way through the city. It's funny, what seemed a hardship--not being able to proceed because of the Ottawa River's closure--was, in fact, serendipitous. We had the Rideau Canal to ourselves; nary another boat was sighted. Everywhere we stopped there was no competition for moorage and the dock/lock masters were truly happy to see us.
In Kingston Bicki was the "I". In Ottawa she's the "T". There's no doubt then, she's "it".
Walking along the Ottawa River we came across a walled estate which, according to the historical marker in front of it, was the home of Sir John Alexander Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, 1867-1873. We saw several folks going through a makeshift security point and then gaining entrance. So, we thought, why not, and went for it. Sure enough, the estate's owner, as part of Doors Open Ottawa, a two-day annual event, was allowing folks to look around. Once on the estate, which was beautifully landscaped, we waited for our turn to enter the mansion. As we neared the front of the line, a smiling woman in jeans and a button down shirt, came over and shook our hands. To my query about the home's current owner, she was initially taken aback, but then, without losing stride, said the estate was owned by the British government and was the residence of their High Commissioner to Canada. And then added, with a mischievous sparkle in her eye, "I live here, it's my house." Bicki and I came expecting to see an interesting old home. Now, here we were, completely clueless, chatting merrily with Susan Jane le Jeune d'Allegeershecque, the British Ambassador to Canada. I hope, she found our ignorance charming, or at the very least comical.
With this experience in the rear view mirror we were better prepared when, touring the Connaught Building, a 1913 stoneblock beauty made in the Tudor-Gothic style, a nice looking, well dressed man, approached us. Shaking hands he introduced himself as Bob Hamilton, Commissioner of the CRA. Now, I didn't know what the CRA was, but "Commissioner," that resonated. Without missing a beat I responded, "It's nice to meet you Commissioner. Thank you for taking the time to greet us." During the subsequent conversation we learned that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) functions like the US' IRS. Upon parting I took solace in the fact that in this encounter we'd come across more as city sophisticates than country noobs. Then again, maybe not.
Doors Open Ottawa gained us entrance to the Royal Canadian Mint too. There, under the watchful gaze of three guards, Bicki got to handle a 28lb gold bar. Coyly, she slipped it into her jacket. Kindly, as only Canadians can be, the guards suggested she put it back on the table.
The Ottawa canal is a dangerous place. I'm afraid I'll throw my shoulder out returning the waves of all the friendly people.
Ahmed and Ava, summer crew at Dows Lake Pavillion, performed the "dirty work" for Nellie--pumping out the holding tank. They are both college Juniors. Ava is studying criminology at Carleton University. Ahmed is a computer science major at Ottawa U.
It's four miles between downtown Ottawa and Dows Lake Pavillion. Here Nellie will stay for the next two weeks while her crew makes a car trip south. 223 miles in 2019 and 8445 miles from Naples, Florida. DBH
