IAWAH Goes to The Rideau Canal

What can I say about Ottawa and Winterlude on the Rideau Canal? It appears to be a larger version of Festival du Voyageur (http://festivalvoyageur.mb.ca/wp/) in Winnipeg on a narrower, longer space, with less voyageurs roaming around. It was packed with people (it may only look like more people than in Winnipeg), there were vendors all over the place and every couple of minutes someone skates by while talking on a cell phone! Such a strange sight! People use the Canal to commute to work by skating, so that didn't seem so odd but it was the people who appeared to be skating in a group for recreation while talking on their phones that baffled me.



That being said, it was a great experience and I was pretty excited to be on the Rideau Canal for the first time and eating a beavertail! Oh deep fried heaven......very similar to getting bannock at a PowWow, only it's shaped like a beaver tail and there is no jam.

We had a small but enthusiastic turnout of campers and staff! Thanks to all who came and helped out!

Brave staff standing beside our replica IAWAH pillars!

A typical Friesen, must have cream for the Starbucks! Any of you who know Jeff will recognize the toque!

Laura as a beaver was a hit with everyone! Some random kids asked to get a picture with her and someone asked where she had purchased her costume......please note the blue duct tape on her head keeping her bristol board ears on!!

We don't experience too many bitterly cold days here but that day our hot chocolate was freezing quickly!