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Hello From Ottawa Skating On The Rideau Canal Officially The World s Largest Skating Rink
here is no denying it: washout for us that year (I guess
Ottawa is known is one of the appropriate term for that
the coldest capitals in the event would be "Waterlude").
world (only as far as
temperatures are concerned But our earlier experience didn't
though). But does that mean you deter us, so this year Theresa
stay at home during the winter and I decided to come back and
and mope? Absolutely not! Ottawa pray for better weather so we
has turned a potential liability would indeed be able to check out
into a key asset and really shows this phenomenal skating and
us how to celebrate winter. entertainment venue for
ourselves.
First there is Winterlude,
Ottawa’s winter festival, which Incidentally, the Rideau Canal
is being held this year from Skateway has been recognized by
February 3 to 19, 2006. the Guiness Book of World Records
Winterlude is apparently attended as the world's largest naturally
by more than 650,000 winter frozen ice rink. The skateway is
revellers and encompasses a 7.8 kilometers long and takes you
myriad of events: concerts, from the Rideau Bridge all the
special events, culinary way to Dow's Lake.
demonstrations, restaurant
festivals and the list goes on. We got going early just around 10
Skating on the Rideau Skateway, am on an absolutely perfect
at almost 8 km the world’s winter day, but even at that
largest icerink., was our main time, the skateway was packed,
reason for coming to Ottawa. and the walkthrough over the
Indeed we had travelled to Ottawa frozen ice from Confederation
about 3 years ago and due to warm Park to the skateway entrance on
weather Winterlude was a total the other side of the river was
chock full with people in a long
lineup. At different intervals along the
way there were a variety of rest
We laced up our skates and put areas, food concessions and
our boots in our backbacks which special entertainment or
would give us the flexibility to information areas. Well
get off the ice at any time and represented of course is a famous
continue our explorations on Ottawa trademark: the Beavertails
foot. Or if we got too tired, we concession booths which sell
could even hop on the "Sno-Bus" freshly made warm pastry,
which connects Dow's Lake with sprinkled with sugar and
Confederation Park during the cinnamon. The perfect snack and
entire Winterlude Festival for energy source on a cold winter's
the low fee of $2.50 (more day.
information on the OC Transpo
site) . At the Via Rail Concord Station
Rest Area an exhibit shed light
But, apparently we didn't need a on Ottawa's railroad history.
Sno-Bus, we skated our way down Apparently many years ago, trains
on this wonderful natural ice would arrive in downtown Ottawa
surface all the way to the lake right next to the Rideau Canal.
and didn't even need to rest. On At Fifth Avenue, young sports
this gorgeous day with crystal fans were enjoying the Canadian
blue skies and perfect winter Tire JUMPStart Activity Centre
weather and amazingly no winds, where they were jumping through
skating on the Rideau was a the air on a trampoline system
phenomenal experience. We could and putting their hockey skills
indeed not have picked a better to the test.
day to explore the Rideau Canal
on skates. At Pig Island a special area with
teepees was set up to get a taste pushing them in all-terrain baby
of Aboriginal traditions, culture carriages. Everybody was having a
and cuisine. In addition the area ton of fun.
featured a loggers' exhibit, a
snowshoe-making workshop and On the way back one person struck
aboriginal songs and drumming. my attention: a young lady on red
skates with red gloves and a red
Once arrived at Dow's Lake I went scarf was skating down the canal,
on to explore the 26th Annual Bed juggling, apparently just having
Race, a fundraising event which a ball of a time. I approached
proved to be an absolutely her to find out a bit about her.
hilarious experience, for a good She introduced herself as Sylvie,
cause no less. The Bed Race is and shared with me that she is
organized by the Ottawa Kiwanis part of a juggling family and
Club and the proceeds, close to that juggling is in her blood.
$50,000 will go towards the She said that juggling is her
Children's Read-A-Thon. life, and although she doesn't
drive the fanciest car, she is
A young hockey star tests his happy because she gets to do what
skills at the Canadian Tire she loves.
JumpStart Activity Centre
After all this skating I got
But I had more to cover, so I really hungry, so I took off my
started skating back towards the skates and simply headed up to
downtown and by this time the the Rideau Centre, one of
skateway had filled up quite a Ottawa’s biggest shopping
bit. It seemed like young and centres. It is located right next
old, the whole family was out. to the Canal and was positively
Parents were pulling their packed on this day. The Rideau
children on little sleds, or even Centre offered a welcome
opportunity to warm up and catch this special winter activity, and
a nice lunch in its food court. one thing is for sure: I'll be
back!!!
Obviously I love outdoor
activities as well as urban This entire article including
exploring, and skating on the photos is located at
Rideau Canal through downtown http://www.travelandtransitions.c
Ottawa combines both activities om/stories_photos/ottawa_skating_
perfectly. I got a brief taste of rideau.htm
About the Author:
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new FREE ebooks about travel.
Read more articles by: Susanne Pacher
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