Winterlude weekend

Every year for Winterlude, there is an international ice-carving contest held in Confederation park. The big event was actually scheduled for last weekend's +6 degree weather, but a few sculptors came out to take advantage of the much colder weather this weekend. This mermaid had an exceptional amount of detail, and looked ultra-cool with the changing LED lights.

The photo on the right is a zoomed photo through a series of 6 windows carved of ice. I wish I could have experimented more with the camera, but the cold eventually taps all dexterity you have left in your fingers.


The 4-5 days of sub-zero temps have also allowed the ice on the canal to finally smooth over. This is the scene that Sophie and I see entering the canal from our Neighbourhood in Old Ottawa South. The view is looking North towards the Queensway, with downtown and the parliament buildings in the background.


The view from Landsdowne Park (where the Renegades play) towards the steps coming down from Echo Drive. I once checked into some of the housing prices for these modest homes which, have the benefit of overlooking the canal and are located on a dead-end street with no thru traffic. Conclusion - 750k probably won't get you a basic 2 bedroom home.


Perched atop the Bank St. bridge, this photo looks westerly towards the setting sun and Dow's lake. I think that this is the best section of the canal, as the skateway gets much narrower as it winds its way through the high enbankments. A big hit with the romantics as well, as the Euro-style globe lamps lining the canal give it warm lighting at night.

The canal is filled with these beavertail and hot chocolate shacks all along the way. Nothin' like deep-fried dough sprinkled with sugar to warm the belly. What I find idyllic, is that Carleton University is at the end of this section of the canal, allowing students to commute to University by skates.



This photo is taken looking east towards Bank Street, with the football stadium on the left.