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Monthly Archives: June 2014

Rolling on the Cobblestones

Sun, 15 Jun 2014, 08:01 PM (-06:00)

1. After the Race The sun was going down. The Canadian springtime evening was getting cold. We changed out of our sweaty race clothes, walked towards Rideau Street and watched the sun set behind the hills across the river in the west. Then we wandered to Byward Market for something to eat, settling finally on The Highlander […]

Gatineau Park

Sat, 14 Jun 2014, 10:04 PM (-06:00)

Just outside Ottawa across the river in Quebec there’s a wilderness. Turn left after you cross the bridge, drive up the sloping road, and turn right. The city disappears behind you. The forest envelopes you. We went there to hike two trails that the fair and industrious Trudy had selected from the many in the […]

The Kindly Hosts that Brung Us

Sat, 14 Jun 2014, 01:15 PM (-06:00)

A Walk in the Park

Thu, 12 Jun 2014, 08:58 PM (-06:00)

We left to go for a walk in the park, dad, Khadija, Trudy and I. But the roads and bridges were closed for the full and half marathons. Yet, they have plenty of parks in Ottawa, so there were many possibilities, and we gradually made our way to Andrew Haydon Park on the Ottawa River. There […]

A Bumblebee

Mon, 9 Jun 2014, 09:13 PM (-06:00)

In Ottawa, in a park, on a cool sunny day, at the base of a Maple tree, rummaging and buzzing and turning in the grass and pine needles, we saw a Bumblebee. (If you look closely, you’ll see the Maple tree of which I speak.) There used to be Bumblebees here, they say. But I […]

Garner State Park

Mon, 9 Jun 2014, 08:04 PM (-06:00)

Let’s take a little detour for a moment. I know that we’ve been talking about Ottawa and Quebec and ducks and poplar trees and all that. But it how about this for a moment… Garner State Park. On the banks of the Rio Frio. Perfect spring in Central Texas. Blue skies and sunshine by day. […]

Ducks in Flight

Sun, 8 Jun 2014, 08:12 PM (-06:00)

Did I tell you that there were ducks in flight as we drove across the countryside of southwestern Quebec? There were. Two ducks. I saw them as we drove down highway 40 headed west. Two ducks. In flight. Crossing from some place off beyond the woods to the south. Flying to some place off beyond […]

In Ottawa

Sun, 8 Jun 2014, 07:10 PM (-06:00)

In Ottawa they have the Parliament and the many-windowed, many towered building where they meet, sitting on the bluffs overlooking the river, the central tower’s patina dancing against the sky under a red and white maple leaf flapping in the breeze. And in Ottawa they have a chateau in the center of town. It overlooks […]

Race Weekend 10K

Sun, 8 Jun 2014, 09:47 AM (-06:00)

1. Getting There It was Race Weekend in Ottawa. The 40th. On Saturday, a 2k race and a 5k race and a 10K, too. On Sunday, a half-marathon and the full. We had come for the Lowertown Brewery 10K. Dad and Khadija had dropped us off at our hotel, and at the appointed hour (in […]

Leaving Quebec for Ontario

Sun, 8 Jun 2014, 12:21 AM (-06:00)

We left Quebec City with storm clouds gathering. Indeed, as we drove away, leaving behind us the Citadel and Chateau Frontenac and the cobblestone streets of Upper Town and Lower Town we thought we might stop and walk around a bit in the Plains of Abraham. But in those few minutes the weather turned, and the […]