Ottawa, ON

Today was a combination sightseeing and weather day, with rain in the forecast and a much-needed day off from traveling. We started with breakfast at Zak’s Diner, then walked to Farm Boy grocery store in the Rideau Centre mall for provisions. The rain began soon after we stowed our food aboard, so we hunkered down until there was a break in the weather. 

After lunch, we took an Uber to the Canada Science and Technology Museum, an interesting stop with a still-working steam engine and a unique exhibit on human waste. I can honestly say that we’ve never seen a better display of historic commodes and chamber pots. 

Next we took a tour of the Canadian Senate building, which is currently housed in a beautiful old train station while the Parliament building undergoes a major, ten-year renovation and is closed to lawmakers and the public. Fun facts we learned about Canada: 

1. Canadian senators are appointed, not elected, and must retire at age 75.

2. The maple leaf on the Canadian flag is a stylized design and not a species actually found in nature. 

3. “O Canada,” the national anthem, was composed in Quebec City, in French. An English translation didn’t exist until 26 years later, and underwent several revisions. The original French version remains unchanged. 

After dinner at D’Arcy McGee’s, an Irish pub, we waited out the rain, then did some more exploring. When we returned to Dragonfly, we were pleasantly surprised to see Dan and Mary from Full Circle, their C-Dory 26, docked behind us. We hadn't seen them since Alabama and the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous in November of last year, and it was great getting caught up. 

Bonus Question: What is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world (i.e. not part of a mountain range)? (Answer at end of post).

Photo Journal:

Bonus Question Answer: Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. At 19,340 feet, it is the fourth-tallest peak in the world, after Mt. Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South America) and Denali (North America), which are all part of mountain ranges.