Long weekend in Ottawa

This past weekend I went to Ottawa/Gatineau to visit with Mr. and Mrs. B and their two charming tots!

Took the train and rolled comfortably from Union Station, Toronto into Ottawa. Such a contrast in styles between the two stations.

And such a contrast in weather!  As we disembarked from the train in Ottawa, a girl remarked that it was a completely different season there.  So true.  Seemed way colder and they actually have snow.  There has been nary a trace here in Toronto and I was relieved to see the white stuff to remind me that Winter really does exist!

(On a side note, I met a very nice lady seated next to me who has inspired me to track down a book on assertiveness that I hope will teach me how to say no to things I don't want to do, in a tactful and constructive way, of course.)

Had a great time visiting with Mrs. B. and her family.  Now that her boys are no longer babies, and are full-blown human beings, it was such a treat to get to know their little personalities!  Mrs. B was my roommate in residence at University. She was the first person I met when I went off to school and I think of her as family. We have known each other since we were in our late teens!  Hard to imagine!

They are in the middle of gutting a home.  Loved checking it out, seeing the plans and seeing the layers of new and old... imagining how it will all come together.  I'm excited for them and can't wait to see the finished product on my next visit!

Over the extended weekend we poked around town, did a bit of shopping, did manis, hung out with the boys, caught up on gossip and ate so much good stuff.

On the Monday, before I left, we visited the Museum of Nature.  It's housed in a gorgeous building full of stunning architectural details and a giant inflated whale.

We scoped out the whale exhibit and re-learned about the dinosaur age before heading off for some eats.

Thank you to my kind hosts for having me!  I had a lovely Winter getaway!  Looking forward to our next visit!

Ottawa/Gatineau Visit

I spent the Victoria Day long weekend visiting Mr. and Mrs. B and their two little ones in Gatineau.  We scoped out the sites in Ottawa and hung out with the kidlets.  Mrs. B was my roommate in residence in my first year at Western where I studied Visual Arts.  We have made sure to keep in very regular contact through the years despite living in different cities for the last 11.  She and her hubby now have 2 little boys.  I hadn't met the little one before so I was long overdue for a visit with the cuties!  Thanks to the B. family for everything this past weekend!  

Here are some snapshots of some highlights.  Oh!  We saw a black bear standing up at the side of the road near Gatineau Park (which was also across from a mall that included a grocery store) but I didn't get my hands on a camera before we drove by!

Some shots of the remaining blooms at the Tulip Festival.

A sea of tulips

A lonely yellow bloom.

The very successful and very delicious barbeque beer can chicken.  Had to take a photo of the two of them lined up in the barby!

A stunning view at Gatineau Park (Parc de la Gatineau).  We went for a walk/hike on the trail.  It proved to be a bit long for a tyke that is not yet 3.

A mid-trail photo in Gatineau Park

A view of Capitol Hill from the National Gallery of Canada.  Mrs. B. and I spent a lovely afternoon roaming around the Gallery.  The building is really quite nice and there are many notable art works there.

I sneakily took a photo of the $2,000,000.00 Barnett Newman piece, Voice of Fire.

This is the huge 30 foot tall Spider by Louise Bourgeois that sits in front of the National Gallery

View of the Parliament Buildings.

That's the quick view of my 5 day trip.  Five days seemed to fly by so quickly.  I'll have to visit more often!