Day 126 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: Ottawa’s Winterlude

Ottawa is a sea of amazing buildings and public sculptures. On the left you have a statue of Sir Wilfrid Laurier Canada’s first francophone Prime Minister. On the right is a detail of the Fairmount Chateau Laurier.

Squirrel Tracks in the snow on Victoria Island, Ottawa

Classic Hudson Bay Company Jacket

The first day of Ottawa’s Winterlude Winter Festival

Two proud fathers en route to Ottawa’s Winterlude Winter Festival.

Hull, Quebec

Government of Canada building on Friday afternoon at 6:34p.m. Why are all those lights on?

Late night hockey match in Hull, Quebec

Day 117 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: We Love Canada Flag Mosaic / Winter Roads in Ottawa

Winter Road on the Way into Hull, Quebec

Plowing highway 5; so far this we’ve been in five major snow blizzards. We purchased snow tires which has saved us many times over.

The weather in Canada shapes us. Take a look at this mother with her child lending into the wind while crossing a icy overpass.

With the transit strike in its 50th day, the citizens of Ottawa are very upset with the city and the union for not being able to reach an agreement. The traffic was three times as busy as it was the last time we were in Ottawa. 

Walking Home From Work

Bus Stop

 

Commute home from Ottawa to Hull, Quebec. The Quebec bus drivers did not go on strike. 

Tree in Front of the Supreme Court of Canada

Flag of the Day

Day 116 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: Wakefield, Quebec.

Wakefield is a village on the western shore of the Gatineau River, at the confluence of the La Peche River in the Ouatouais region of Quebec. It was founded in 1830 by Irish, Scottish and English immigrants. It is about a 30 minute drive from Ottawa.

Wakefield’s primary industry is tourism. It is also known for having the highest bungee jump in the Americas at 200 feet.

The village has developed a reputation for a somewhat bohemian (or hippee) lifestyle and boasts a number of small cafes, pubs and galleries. Many artists live in the surrounding mountains and valleys. We were charmed by Wakefield in an instant.

Many of the buildings are painted up in bright, cheery colors which adds to the town’s bohemian charm.

Kaffe 1870 is a popular place for live music in Wakefield, and it is a fantastic gathering spot for tourists and members of the community.

Lunch at Kaffe 1870 – they serve a delicious mushroom soup and many yummy sandwiches.

Taking a moment out of a busy day to read the paper.

The Black Sheep (or the Auberge Mouton Noir) is another popular spot and a venue for live music in Wakefield.

Jamboree is one of the stores that caters to tourists. It is loaded with all sorts of great home decorations and knick-knacks. I spotted many things that I wanted, but we can’t really find room for anymore stuff in the van.

Like in any Canadian town, when the snow piles up, the shovels come out!

Anyone can fill their water bottles for free at the spring. We tried the water, and it was so clean and fresh-tasting!

Le Moulin or the Wakefield Mill Inn is a country inn that is surrounded by scenic Gatineau Park. Back in 1838, William Fairbairn began construction of the stone mill for the purpose of milling local grains into flour for the farm families of the Gatineau and LaPeche River valleys. He later sold the mill to James McLaren who expanded the operations to include a sawmill, woolen mill and a general store.

In order to get to see the McLaren cemetery and to see Lester B. Pearson’s burial site. He was Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968, and interestingly enough, he introduced the Maple Leaf flag to Canada.

Flag Of The Day: At Lester B. Pearson’s Gravesite