Stopover in Ottawa

In January 2025 I had a stopover in Ottawa for 2 days and being winter I always wanted to skate on the Rideau Canal. Turns out this was a great season for it so I packed my skates and went in the evenings and the morning when folks were commuting to work.

The frozen Rideau Canal with Chateau Lauerier in view

Canadian War Museum

Posters outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier showing the Canadian Armed Forces involvement with BC Wildfire in recent years 

Golden Trianly / Elgin Street

Quite the lively area with lots of cafes and places to eat 

Speed Skaters on the canal. It was a good season for it considering last year only had a portion open for 10 years and the year before was too warm and didn't open.

Starting point in downtown

East Block

Confederation Building

End of skating section south of Dow's Lake

Rest and warming areas along the canal. They use tractors to plow the snow off the ice for the whole 7+ km section. I had a nice chat with a fellow who commutes to work downtown via skating. 

University of Ottawa campus