Winterlude 2011... the Rideau Canal Skateway

The Rideau Canal connects the city of Ottawa (Ontario) on the Ottawa River with the city of Kingston (Ontario) on Lake Ontario. Completed in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. It was built as a precaution in case of war with the United States and today is used as a recreational waterway with its locks open from mid-May to mid-October. During the winter, a 7.8 km (4.8 miles) section of the canal is drained, partially refilled and then allowed to freeze creating the "world's largest ice skating rink" (according to Guinness Book of Records!).

Canadians love their exercise. Although primarily used for recreation, many Ottawans use the skateway to skate to work or to go shopping, etc. Parents push strollers and sleighs or pull sleds increasing their workout. Some, like us, prefer to walk rather than skate. Because there is a light coating of snow on the ice, it isn't difficult to walk without slipping and sliding. There is also a paved walkway above the skateway that many joggers use.

The Rideau Canal Skateway is a great place to people-watch.

The 31st Annual Bedzz Race, a fun-raiser for the Kiwannis Club of Ottawa, took place on the skateway on Saturday. Over twenty teams decorated their bed on wheels and competed for best decorated bed, best fund-raiser and fastest team. $30,000 was raised for the Kiwannis Club and a great time was had by all- contestants and spectators alike! Contestants cannot wear skates or spiked footwear and run at full-speed to the finish line. As you can imagine, there were several falls. 

My favorite was the RCMP bed... it's the one with a "horse" on the front. They came in 3rd for "Best Decorated" but didn't place for fastest.

We walked along the canal for a little over half a mile watching the skaters, enjoying the pristine views. The houses across the street that runs parallel to the canal are beautiful- I picked out several!

This scene reminded me of a Christmas card... or a jigsaw puzzle... sigh...

Have you ever been to an OUTDOOR Portrait Gallery? Underneath the Banks Street Bridge hang ten portraits (framed copies) from the National Portrait Gallery for skaters to view. It's called "Portraits on the Ice" and is a popular gathering spot. We walked along the ice looking at the portraits on the near side and then had to quickly walk across the skateway to the opposite side, dodging skaters and wanna-be hockey players! And we didn't fall! 

The portraits were varied and quite interesting to see. What a great example of bringing culture to the people!

As we walked, we watched the skaters- you can definitely tell the figure skaters from the hockey skaters! The amazing thing is that everyone is orderly and considerate. We saw a few "rink guards" and the occasional "Rescue ATV." 

I wonder how the painter (far right) keeps his paint from freezing. 

Food vendors sell snacks and hot cocoa along the skateway- after all, it takes a long time to skate 7.8 km! And, in case you were wondering, there are "Port-a-Potties" along the way, as well.

The Rideau Canal Skateway at night... very romantic-looking!