OTTAWA

After taking a day to drive into Ogensburg NY to pick up our mail, the next morning we headed to Ottawa the Capital of Canada.

We stayed at the Moose Lodge which is conveniently located to downtown. And I have to take this opportunity to say we have

never experienced such a friendly group of people as at this lodge. We went to the steak dinner with live entertainment on Friday

night, where so many people came over to welcome and chat with us.

We caught the bus across the street, first stop was the ByWard  Market, love these markets, so many sights and yummy smells.                                                                                              Full of flowers, fruits and vegetables. And of course every  imaginable restaurant along with booth after booth of crafts.   

The Parliament Building of Ottawa  (which we took a tour of) and the Library sit along the Ottawa River.  You take a self guided tour of the grounds

around the buildings. The construction began on these buildings in 1859 and today they are among the finest examples of  Gothic Revival 

architecture in North America. On our second day we visited  Rideau Hall the official residence and work-place of every Governor General

since 1867. This historical site is set in a lush landscape of 76 acres. In all honesty this was a bit of a disappointment, first stand in a long line

at the basement entrance to go through security, then walk upstairs to see 2 rooms and the foyer, first room, some art on loan from museums

and a small block mock up of the residence, the other room was the great ballroom/ceremony room. Personally I was under impressed.

So moving right along, we then went to the Currency Museum. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about currencies around the world.

Shells, beads, teeth, cacao beans, paper and metal are among  more than 8,000 objects on display.