We took a Preparation Day today and went to Winterlude in Ottawa. They have it each winter when the weather finally gets cold enough for long enough to support all their winter activities.
They have a big ice sculpture contest with people from all over the world participating. This one was to celebrate 60 years of Queen Elizabeth being on the throne. The jubilee year.
They even light them up at night. (since we weren't there during the night, I had to borrow this picture):
We even saw them carving one:
Of course ice isn't the only thing they sculpt with: Here is an homage to hockey made from ice hockey skates, sticks, gloves, helmets...etc
and, the ever popular "Lost Mitten" tree:
Roger's... not the missionary, but the local cell phone provider, had a booth where you could take your picture amongst all things ice: Here I am inside the ice cell phone, and Elder Mahaffey sitting on the ice chair:
And, for your listening enjoyment, they have DJs playing music... inside a bubble, to keep their equipment warm and dry.
Of course we HAD to sample the local delicacy - BEAVER TAILS.
They remind me of the fried bread scones we used to have at girl's camp after the 4th years came back to camp. They are in the shape of a... yes... Beaver Tail, and they are considered a pastry. Mine was coated in cinnamon and sugar. Roger's was frosted with maple and chocolate:
Then we walked on water !!! of course it was FROZEN water... The Rideau Canal here is 5 miles long and when it freezes over, it becomes the world's largest ice skating rink...(or walking rink) and... the best part... it is free! I think that anywhere else in the world, someone would be charging for people to use this... but not here.
Of course, there are little shacks all along the canal where you can rent skates or sleighs if you don't have your own skates (but, hey... this is hockey-loving Canada... EVERYONE has their own skates.)
There are also lots of little shops and places to eat all along the canal:
It is great fun just to sit...they also have benches along the canal route... and watch all the fun..
Or walk along on the ice like we did:
We thought it best...what with the canadian health care being ONLY for canadian citizens... that we NOT try the skating.. although we would have LOVED to do it! But, we thought that it would probably be just our luck that we'd fall, break some major joint, and have to be air lifted back to the states for medical care! On the other end of the canal is a place called Dows Lake:
It is a much wider area and even has an outdoor, on-ice, art exhibit ! These Canadians are amazing!
It was a fun day. There are many MORE activities in the evenings and on the weekends apparently, but we had fun just enjoying this small part.
2 comments:
What? No ice skating? Ahh man, I wanted to see an action shot. Maybe at the end of your mission! Looks like a fun festival :)
I would love to have ice-skated that canal! So pretty, too! Loved all the Jubilee nods. Hope you report more on that, interesting to see how it's recognised throughout the Commonwealth.
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