Ottawa July 1, 2013

We decided to check out the Ottawa Transit Park and Ride by leaving the bike at Terry Fox in Kanata and took the bus to down town Ottawa exiting on Slater a few blocks down from Parliament Hill.(free to all on Canada Day)

It was an amazing experience to be rubbing shoulders and being in the same place on July 1 with such cross section of the Canadian mosaic. We were all proud and in a good mood even as the crowds swelled during the afternoon, with people taking up residence on the lawn in front of the Parliament Building centre block.

I was able to track down Chris Hatfield and get close enough, while he was being interviewed, to get some photos. An influential Canadian, as proud to be from Canada, as the rest of us downtown on this day, in our Nation's capital. 

I would encourage all Canadians new and old to try and experience July 1 in Ottawa some time in your life time. So much more meaningful than watching the proceedings on television. 

We left before the evening shows on the Hill, so that we would be home early enough for a good sleep in Almonte. Plus there were fireworks there at Gemmill Park and while I walked over to take some photos, Gayle was able to watch from Sue's condo's balcony.

                                                                         

The photographer apologizes for these firework captures. Perhaps a video would have been more effective!

All in all a good day, enjoyed by us both.