#Get sand in Ottawa

[ottawa-firewood]

Stay Warm in upcoming winter: Where to Buy Firewood in Ottawa Valley

Buying firewood is a great option if you want to keep your home warm and cozy during the winter months in Ottawa Valley. With a reliable source of firewood, you can enjoy the comfort of a crackling fire in your home without worrying about running out of fuel (Buy firewood Ottawa Valley).

There are several places in Ottawa Valley where you can buy firewood. Local hardware stores, home improvement, and garden centers often carry firewood, as do some grocery stores and gas stations. You can also find firewood for sale online, either through classified ads or from local firewood suppliers.

When shopping for firewood, choosing the right type of wood for your needs is important. Hardwoods like oak, maple, and birch burn longer and hotter than softwoods like pine and spruce, but they can also be more expensive. You should also ensure the firewood is seasoned or dried to burn more efficiently and produce less smoke.

Before you buy firewood, be sure to check the local regulations regarding firewood use. Some areas may restrict the type of wood that can burn or use in outdoor fireplaces or wood stoves. Following the rules and buying quality firewood, you can enjoy a warm and cozy winter in Ottawa Valley.

Top Places to Buy Firewood in Ottawa: Stay Warm this winter with quality Firewood

When winter approaches, it's important to have a reliable source of firewood to keep your home warm and cozy. In Ottawa, there are several places where you can buy firewood, from local hardware stores and garden centers to online suppliers.

When shopping to Buy firewood Ottawa, it's important to choose a reputable seller who offers quality firewood that is seasoned and ready to burn. Seasoned firewood has been allowed to dry out for at least six months, which makes it more efficient and easier to burn.

There are several types of firewood available in Ottawa, including hardwoods like oak, maple, and birch, as well as softwoods like pine and spruce. Hardwoods generally burn longer and hotter than softwoods but can also be more expensive. Softwoods, on the other hand, are typically less costly but may burn faster.

Before you buy firewood in Ottawa, it's important to check local regulations regarding firewood use. Some areas may restrict the type of wood that can burn or use in outdoor fireplaces or wood stoves.

You can enjoy a warm and cozy winter in Ottawa by choosing a reputable seller and buying quality firewood. So, whether you're roasting marshmallows with the family or simply relaxing by the fire, stock up on firewood from a trusted supplier in Ottawa.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Chalk up a win for the provinces and a loss for the federal government's environmental ambitions.

In a 5-2 decision released on Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against Ottawa and in favour of arguments from provincial governments about how major projects are approved in the country.

The ruling focused on the federal government's Impact Assessment Act (IAA), which gives federal regulators the power to assess potential environmental and social impacts of various major projects, such as pipelines, power plants and airports. 

Experts say it's a setback, but not a critical blow to the federal government's environmental agenda, although it could have broader implications for other climate policies Ottawa is developing.

Meanwhile, it's a triumph for provincial autonomy. [...]

As CBC reporter Erin Collins more colloquially put it on CBC Radio, a few minutes after the decision was released, "this was really Alberta telling the feds to stay off their lawn and the local bylaw officer kind of coming by and agreeing with them." [...]

Continue Reading.

Note from the poster @el-shab-hussein: Yay. Now Alberta gets full reign of their horrifically backwards tar sands environmental policies.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada, @abpoli

[stereax]

This whole deal with Ottawa and Dadonov - could you possibly help me understand what happened plainly? I'm a little confused with the twitter lingo. Thank you 💙

No prob, anon! Under the cut for you 💜

So Evgenii Dadonov, when he signed his contract with Ottawa, had an M-NTC (modified no-trade clause, or colloquially a no-trade list). I believe he could put 10 teams on the list. What that means is, by a certain time on a certain day (usually, the first day of free agency), he submits a list of teams he would NOT consent to be traded to. If his team (the Senators) wants to trade him to a team that is NOT on this list, they can do it and he can't complain (like the Bruins did with Taylor Hall, shipping him to Chicago because it wasn't on his list). If they want to trade him to a team that IS on this list, they basically have to beg him to waive the M-NTC, and he can say no, and they can go kick sand about it (like the Blues had to because Torey Krug wouldn't waive his full NMC to facilitate the Kevin Hayes trade).

When the Senators traded Dadonov to Vegas, he did not have Vegas on his no-trade list, but he did have Anaheim. He keeps his M-NTC when he moves from Ottawa to Vegas, as he didn't have to waive it. Vegas later trades him to Anaheim, and when he and his agent hear about it, they immediately ask "What the fuck, wasn't Anaheim on the no-trade list?" The NHL confirms it and the trade is cancelled, much to the embarrassment of the Knights. Oops.

So why are the Senators being punished? When Vegas and Ottawa were on call to figure out their trade, Vegas (obviously) asked Ottawa "hey, so what's Dadonov's no-trade list?" And Ottawa said "oh, he didn't submit one this year." This was a lie - Dadonov did, in fact, submit the no-trade list. Supposedly, Dorion was the only person on the call, which is also highly suspect. So from what it sounds, Dorion knowingly lied to the Knights about the no-trade list not having been submitted, presumably to get them to agree to the trade, and this blew up in his face.

There's apparently a 73-page document that the NHL issued after investigating this, so it's safe to say that Dorion is almost certainly guilty here. And Andlauer, the new owner, is NOT happy about losing that first-round pick. So Dorion got canned.

But why is Vegas doing this? Mostly to clear themselves from the stigma of not honoring M-NTCs. Vegas is... kind of infamous for being a place where contracts go to die and people get traded with no feelings involved (see: Marc-André Fleury). Having a reputation, however real, of ignoring no-trade lists? Not great. At all. So Vegas wants to clear its name here, officially.

Also, a little bit, to help themselves in the long run - if Ottawa loses a first-round pick, everyone else moves up one spot. So it helps, just a little bit, in the future.

"But wait, isn't there an NHL-owned registry of no-trade clauses?" LOL no, actually! It's a privacy thing, from what it sounds like - imagine if someone got their hands on all the no-trade list details and leaked them. It could cause massive backlash. So the NHL puts the burden on teams, and teams have generally been good at dealing with no-trade list stuff and transmitting the necessary information. Well, until now.

Hope this helps!!!

[such-a-barbarian]

Weekly tag game - holiday edition 🎄

Thanks for the tags @jrooc @mybrainismelted @metalheadmickey & @lupeloto

🔠 Favourite nickname you’ve ever been given: Honestly, I never really had a nickname. Kell is a short form of my kinda unique name, so I've always just gone by my full name cause I like it. My dad will call me kellski every so often and I've always liked having that with him.

🗺️ Where are you located? Ottawa 🇨🇦

🥶⛱️ What season is it where you are now? Pretty sure we are technically still in fall, but there is enough snow on the ground for it to feel like winter. ❄️

🥳 Favourite tradition this time of year: sooo many. I love Christmas so much. Christmas Eve drives to look at the lights, panettone raisin bread on Christmas morning, my 90 year old grandparents still taking whiskey shots before Christmas brunch - Nostrovia!

🥧 Favourite holiday food: tourtiere (french canadian meat pie) and shortbread cookies!

☕️ Mulled wine, eggnog or hot apple cider? mulled wine always and forever

🍗 Turkey, Ham or Nut Roast (Or Tofurkey?)? Ham! I enjoy turkey when it's done right, but ham can never be bad!

🏔️🏖️ Would you rather spend the December holidays in:  A cabin in the woods surrounded by snow, or a house on the beach with sun and sand? a cabin in the woods for sure! To be fair I'd prefer a cabin in the woods anytime of year.

❄️ Are you pro-snow or anti-snow? pro-snow!!! I'm good with snow until about mid to end of February, then it can go away. There is no need for snow in March, but from December - February I am all about the stuff!

⛄️ Have you ever built a snowman? so so many! I have an almost 4-year-old and a 1.5-year-old, so I have made like 5 or more already this month.

⛷️ Skiing or Snowboarding? Ski! It is my favourite winter hobby. Before kids, my husband and I would get some night skiing in multiple times a week after work. This year my oldest is finally big enough that we can take them out and hopefully force them to love it! haha

🎍 Do you decorate for the holidays? oh yeah! It was so fun this year with the kiddos. My oldest decorating the tree was hilarious, wrapping ribbon around the tree as if they were the first person ever to think of putting ribbon on a tree. They were so proud of themselves!

🎬 Favourite holiday movie? Home Alone! And the old school cartoon Grinch and stop-motion Rudolph - not sure if those actually count as movies since they are so short, but it's not Christmas until I watch them!

📖 Favourite holiday fanfic? All I Want for Christmas! Drunken confessions on Santa's lap - need I say more!

🎥 If you were to star in a Hallmark movie, who would be your love interest? Where would it take place? Taylor Zakhar Perez - he has that perfect cheesy Hallmark swag and he is a very pretty man! As for setting probably like a ski resort or something.

tagging @francesrose3, @juliakayyy, @lupeloto, @zutaralesbian, @bawlbrayker. @suzy-queued, @iansw0rld, @depressedstressedlemonzest, @tanktopgallavich, @transmickey & @meagaboooo if you wanna share and if not have a happy holidays! 🎁

[historia-vitae-magistras]

Number 16 for Alfred plz

Short, contemporary set fic. Alfred wakes from a nightmare and Matt knows what to say. On ao3 here. From prompt 16. “Are you afraid to fall asleep because you think you’re gonna have a nightmare?”

21st Century, Ottawa.

Mathew's bedroom was still and dark when he woke, and he stared at the dim glow filtering through the blinds. The light of the streetlamps was tinted blue in the storm, and he wondered why he'd woken. Kuma was still dead asleep on his memory foam sheepskin bed just next to the vent. If there'd been any intrusion in his space, he'd have been up, hackles raised and howling. Oh. He had to piss. Fuck, he must still be drunk. Groaning and cursing himself for not taking a pit stop when he and Alfred had finally put the beers and video game controllers down to go to sleep, he finally peeled himself out of bed. The room was cold, and peeling off the duvet made his thoughts switch languages and wish for a quick death in French.

Shaking the drama off, he shoved his feet into his indoor boots and shuffled down the hall, rubbing at his eyes and letting the. Business completed, he was turning off the water and drying his hands when he thought he heard something. He stumbled, still groggy, down the hall, away from the bedroom. Again, Kuma didn't howl or join him.

The TV, mounted above the fireplace, was on and thew an eerie cast over the living room as Matt approached, poking his head in. There was Alfred, hunched over.

"What are you still doing up?" Matt asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Alfred glanced up, expression inscrutable.

"I couldn't sleep," He said, sounding wrecked, like he'd been throwing up or crying.

"You good?" Matt asked, frowning.

"Fine."

"Liar," Matt replied. Alfred's gaze flashed up, the hint of Cherenkov radiation flashing in anger.

"Don't give me that face, o mighty superpower." Matt laughed, rubbing a hand down his face, incredulous. "Christ. You know, I'd normally be happy to do the usual song and dance where you deny everything until I hit a nerve. And then you can have your semi-annual mental breakdown on my couch, but it's 3 in the morning. So get yourself up, turn off the TV, put your ass in a chair in the kitchen and spill your guts while I make us hot chocolate, and then we can go back to sleep. Okay?"

Whatever it was that made Alfred their kind's weird undying version of superman seemed to drain from him, and his shoulders slumped. It was like watching someone drain the water from a nuclear reactor and shut it down.

"Yeah, all right."

In the kitchen, Alfred sat at the old kitchen table. Matt raided the cabinets and dumped milk, cream, and chocolate into a pot, breathing in a bit of the soothing steam as it warmed.

"You going to start talking?"

"I'm organizing my thoughts," Alfred said as he stared at the kitchen table, tracing the grain of a knot Matt had sanded smooth himself with two fingers. He glared at the wood. "Or I'm trying too."

"Okay. Take your time. This will take a minute." Matt's heart ached, and he opened another cabinet. There was vanilla extract there, but glancing at his brother and full of something softer, he selected one of the vanilla beans he had purchased on his last trip to Mexico and scraped it clean. In it went with the chilli and clove and cinnamon to simmer away.

"Doing okay?" Matt asked. Alfred's hand had gone still on the table, balling into a fist.

"Yeah," Alfred said.

Deciding his brother needed more time, Matt took down a bowl and whipped the living hell out of the rest of the cream until his arm shook. It was always a process. His brother's emotions were structured with the strongest joy on earth on a delicate pedestal of half-processed memories. He stirred the hot chocolate, and now melted together and velvety, it clung to the sides of the pot.

"Okay," Alfred said at last. "Okay, fuck."

He quickly poured two terracotta mugs, scooped on the hand-churned whipped cream and even dusted them with more cinnamon. He sat across the table from Alfred, shaking his left hand out. It was sore from all the whisking now.

"Damn, Matt. You were busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. That's amazing."

"Have to do something while you brood," Matt replied, pulling his hoodie sleeves back down. "Now, what's the fucken problem?"

"I had a nightmare," Alfred said plainly. Well, that'd been easier than usual.

"The 'showing up to the Armed Forces Committee with no pants' nightmare or the 'I got hung for witchcraft and dad presented the head of the fuck who sentenced me on a silver platter' nightmare."

"Neither," Alfred said, scrubbing a hand through his hair. He sighed and took another long drink.

"Alfred," Matt said. "Talk."

"I'm trying," He whispered. "It feels like if I say it, it'll come true."

"That's bullshit," Matt replied. "Out with it."

Alfred sighed. "You're a piss ass when you don't sleep, you know that, right?"

"I'm going to be puking chilis and tequila when I wake up. I'm allowed to be cranky." He countered. "Saint Bibiana can't do shit about it. Now, what was this nightmare?"

"I dreamt I woke up, and the world ended while I slept," Alfred said. "Russians yeet some ICBM at me, I tossed some back, the world burned."

"You've had that nightmare since the Russians dropped their first bomb."

"Yup," Alfred said. "But usually, in the dream, I cross from New York into Quebec, and you're there. A little crispier than usual, but there and mostly okay. This time..."

Matt stared at Alfred over his mug.

"This time, what?"

"This time... nothing. No survivors. No glowing zombies, no gas-masked raiders, nothing." He paused, and Matt was silent.

"No you either," Alfred said, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes and leaning into the table. "Just ash."

"Alfred," Matt said gently, softly. His brother didn't look up. "Alfred, look at me."

Watery blue eyes appeared from behind his hands. Alfred sniffed, and Matt gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm not going to die,"

"I'm stronger than you," Alfred said. "I'm stronger than everyone. If anyone would survive and be alone, it'd be me."

"So you're afraid that if you go to sleep, you'll have another nightmare about this?"

"I'm scared that if I fall asleep, I'll wake up alone." Alfred scrubbed his hair and looked on the verge of tears again. "Just me on planet earth."

"Alfred, you didn't die on me. I won't die on you, much less the entire planet."

"When the hell would I have died?"

"Does the American Civil War ring a bell?" Matt replied. "You were dead for four days after Gettysburg. But you lived."

"No one was firing nukes at Gettysburg."

"No one is firing nukes now," Matthew said. "If you're okay, I'm okay."

"Can you just... can you promise me you won't die?" Alfred said. Sometimes there was something so childlike about his mind. "Just promise you won't leave me here by myself."

"Cross my heart and hope to live, bud." Matt made the motion of the cross over his heart. He smiled. "Happy?"

Alfred nodded. "Swear to god, though, I will fucking kill you if you die before me."

"Hard same." Matt returned. "I'll set your ass on fire and make DC look like a bathroom candle if you leave me here alone."

Alfred took another sip of hot cholate and shook his head. "You're a firebug, you know that, right?"

"Well yeah, I had to settle for pyromaniac since my big brother is the one with the nuclear hellfire in his back pocket." Matt knuckled his chest and swallowed bile. "But I might be getting there. Holy shit, this is giving me heartburn."

"It's not even spicy." Alfred laughed.

"You know damn well chilli powder, and I don't get along." Matt exhaled, trying to get rid of the taste of bile in his mouth.

"Why'd you make it if you knew it'd give you heartburn?"

"I'm not the one who needed cheering up," Matt shrugged. "Hang on a second. I need antacids."

"Jesus Christ, gringo."

"Hey," Matt flung open the drawer he kept various bottles of over-the-counter pills and tablets and popped something he'd hoped would help. "That's tabernaco to you, Tex-Mex."

Alfred snorted. "Did Mari start calling you that before or after you vomited Salsa Verde all over her nice floor?"

"I put in that floor for her," Matt said. "And it was before if you must know."

"You've got too much slav in you."

"Eh," Matt countered, sitting back down, this time with a glass of water. He shoved his still-hot mug at his brother, and Alfred took it to finish it off. "Katya hasn't pegged me in a while, actually."

Alfred snorted hot chocolate so hard he choked. "Ew, dude, gross."

Matt smacked him on the shoulder. "Finish that up, and you can come huddle for warmth like we're fucken four,"

"Fucking heat-seeking missile,"

"Goddamn right."

[fleurcareil]

East Ontario: Bon Echo and Ottawa areas

And off I go! 9am Thursday 1st June I'm starting my cross Canada road trip with an overloaded car and at 54,836km...

First stop is one of my favourite things in Ontario; paddle boarding along the Mazinaw Rock in Bon Echo Provincial Park, midway between Toronto and Ottawa. After having traversed the entire GTA one last time on the QEW, Gardiner, DVP and 401 highways, I finally escaped the madness and got to spend a few lovely hours on the water, searching for the pictographs that Indigenous people created a long time ago. The first time I tried to find them was with my mother by kayak, but not having a clue what it exactly was that we were looking for, we found none until we realised on a boat tour that they're tiny and just above the water, whereas we had been craning our neck to scour the high cliffs for anything that seemed remotely like a drawing 😂. Since then, I had already come back once to explore by SUP, however now in the mid-week quiet without other tourists & motorboats it was magical!

Starting my trip during an unexpected heatwave (32C!) has been tiring as I was constantly sweating but at least it meant I was not freezing at night which had been my fear. In the morning I did my regular 20-minute hulahoop wake-up routine but this time on the beach overlooking the cliffs... Great way to start the day and as bonus there were no mosquitos!! I kinda had forgotten how bad it can be in spring, but after two miserable attempts at a hike, I realised I will be doing most of my exploring by water until the bugs have died off. That said, so far it's only been mosquitos which have mass-targeted me, without the deer/black/sand/other nasty flies, so I guess it can & will still get much worse.

Instead of hiking, I ended up paddling two little lakes at Sheffield Conservation Area just south of Bon Echo, which is the most southern location to experience the Canadian Shield... it was not as majestic as up north but the bare granite rocks hold their beauty wherever they are! The channel between the lakes turned out to be blocked by a beaver dam, which made me realize that the pretty water lilies that I had seen earlier were basically the beaver's vegetable garden 😜. I had never seen a beaver dam up close from the water, so it was cool to see how it's constructed with a slope of soil upstream, intertwined with branches for extra stability. I tried to spot the beaver as well, but no luck (the only time I've seen a beaver was at Leslie Spit in Toronto of all places!). Someone had already created a little portage trail around the dam so that I could continue to the next lake and eat lunch on a little island (with my feet out of the water as the fish were trying to nibble).

Am now on a campground on the Quebec side for 3 nights to spend some time around Ottawa; after not having done a campfire on the first night I was looking forward to one and bought a 1-kilo bag of marshmallows and my favourite chocolate (dark, orange & sea salt) for s'mores, but the entire province is under a fire ban due to the many forest fires that are out of control.... Am afraid this is going to be a recurring theme this summer, we need to fix climate change asap!! Without a fire to chase them away, I'm already completely fed up with the mosquitos at the end of the 2nd day, so I spent the evening in my "living room" tent, which is a blissful haven to eat, read and drink some wine.

Spent Saturday very chilled in the capital; although downtown Ottawa is small it is very lively due to all the tourists (like me) and I always enjoy walking around the highlights; I had planned to visit the National Art Gallery but wasn't attracted by any of the current exhibits so gave it a miss and visited the neighbouring Royal Mint instead for what turned out to be a private tour of the facilities - cool to see how they make 99.99% pure silver and gold coins! Thereafter past the Rideau Canal to Parliament Hill which was disappointing because of the construction but also because I couldn't find my favourite sculpture 'Women are Persons!" celebrating the suffragette movement that allowed women to vote...I did find it later in front of the Senate building, but only after I attended (unplanned) the annual D-Day commemorative ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We cannot afford forgetting the horrible impacts of war so it was a sobering but important moment. I ended on a Byward patio; nothing beats drinking a beer in the sun and watch the world go by!

And today I had a beautiful day at Gatineau Park where I had never been despite having wanted to on previous trips, due to rain/snow etc...I initially did not plan to hike and go supping instead but there was a lot of wind and it turned out no mosquitos due to the cooler weather, so I ended up doing several hikes after all, up to some viewpoints that were no longer visible (as is often the case as they don't cut the trees so that beautiful view when the bench was installed 10+ years ago is long gone), around Pink Lake which is green from the many algae, and to a waterfall that hadn't seen a lot of rain but was pretty nevertheless. I always struggle with making forest hike pictures interesting as it's very green without much variation and not able to capture the true essence of hearing the wind & the birds, the dappled light on the forest floor etc. Tried anyway, and also made a picture of the forest along the parkway to capture the bright apple green of the trees in spring, so refreshing! Ended the day at the Champlain lookout over the Ottawa valley.

Not sure I'll keep up writing so much each time but am clearly excited about how the trip has started so far! 😍

Wildlife: 1 marmot (Bon Echo), 2 male mergansers fighting with each other (Bon Echo), 10,000 mosquitos (Bon Echo), 2 snakes (Toronto Island and Sheffield), 2 turtles (Gatineau), 2 deer (along the road in Gatineau)

SUPs: three (Toronto Island, Bon Echo, Sheffield)

Hikes: one small one (eaten alive) and one aborted (more eaten alive), both at Bon Echo. Three hikes at Gatineau (no single mosquito bite!)

[best-hotels-in-ottawa-with-pools]

Exploring Ottawa’s Best Beaches Nearby

Ottawa is the stunning capital of Canada. While Ottawa might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of beaches, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover the city’s hidden gems. Whether you’re a local looking for a new spot to soak up in the sun or a visitor seeking a unique beach experience, we’ve got you covered. In this travel blog, we’ll explore the 11 best beaches in Ottawa for a perfect day trip. 

Table of Contents

Mooney’s Bay Beach  

Brittania Beach 

Petrie Island Beach 

Westboro Beach 

Meech Lake/O’Brien Beach (Best beache in Ottawa)

Leamy Lake Beach 

Lac Phillippe

Constance Bay Beach 

The Pond 

Morrison’s Quarry 

Fitzroy Provincial Park Beach  

Burnstown Beach 

Petawawa Point Beach 

Bon Echo Provincial Park Beaches 

Pine Point Beach

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Mooney’s Bay Beach

If you’ve got kids, you should definitely visit Mooney’s Bay Beach. It features an interesting Canada-themed playground that your little ones will surely enjoy.

It is one of the most popular summer destinations in Ottawa and hence often remains crowded with people. 

Mooney’ Beach hosts various Ottawa festivals and events like H.O.P.E. Volleyball SummerFest, Dragon Boat Race Festival, and many more fun activities for you to enjoy.  

Location: 2926, Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Brittania Beach

Situated in the west of Ottawa, Brittania Beach is more of a low-key destination with no restaurants and cafes around. 

Nonetheless, it is the perfect spot for swimming and relaxing on the sand while enjoying the beautiful beach views. 

While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the Beach Corners, to enjoy some delicious ice cream flavors after a sunny day at the beach.

Location: 2805 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Petrie Island Beach 

Petrie Island Beach is a true local favorite. The island has three different beaches – East Beach, West Beach & Centennial Beach, with each offering something special to the visitors. 

However, if you want to get into the busy crowd, East Beach is your best option. 

Here, you can also relax under the shady trees, swim, or even rent a paddle board, canoe rentals, and kayak to enjoy some fun water activities. 

Meanwhile, make sure to pack your lunch as you’ll surely need some extra dose of energy to enjoy your time to the fullest. 

Location: 272 Trim Road, Orleans, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Also Read

Westboro Beach 

Situated on the west shore of the Ottawa River, Westboro Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful time with your family. 

It has got various beautiful on-site cafes offering meals & drinks along with live music to keep you entertained. 

Westboro Beach is accessible year-round and is among the best beaches in Ottawa. 

Location: 745, Ottawa River Parkway, Canada

Meech Lake/O’Brien Beach (Best beache in Ottawa)

Situated just a 15-minute drive away from downtown Ottawa, Meech Lake is known for its crystal-clear water and white sand.

It makes a great spot for hiking, picnicking, and kayaking with lifeguards always on duty to ensure utmost safety. 

O’Brien is the most famous beach in the area and gets all bustling with people during the hot summer days. 

Location: Chelsea, QC, Canada

Leamy Lake Beach 

If you want to enjoy a good time outdoors, but don’t want to travel far from the city, then Leamy Lake Beach is your place to be. 

The beach is situated amidst the hills, just a short drive away from the main city. 

Here you can engage in a whole lot of water activities like swimming, fishing, kayaking, and more.

And if you’re not a fan of getting covered in all sand, you can secure your place in the grassy areas with natural shade beyond the beach. 

Location: Fournier Blvd, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Lac Phillippe

Situated in the heart of the Saint-Francois-de Sales National Park, Lac Phillippe is a beautiful lake featuring boat rentals, picnic spots, and a wonderful swimming beach.

The location also offers thrilling biking, hiking, and skiing trails to enjoy through. 

Location: Les Collines-de-L’Outaouais Regional County Municipality, QC J0X 3G0, Canada

Constance Bay Beach 

Constance Bay is the only horse-friendly beach in Ottawa. So if you want to enjoy a ride with a fantastic sea view, hop on. 

Besides, you can enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing and sailing. Meanwhile, be careful of the mussels in the seawater as they can hurt your toes and may even leave you injured. 

Although the beach doesn’t cover much of an area, it’s evident that you’d get to enjoy a good time here. And the best part? The parking is absolutely free!

Location: Lane St, Ottawa, ON K0A 3M0, Canada

The Pond 

The Pond may not have the most exciting name, but this hidden gem is perfect for anyone looking to avoid crowded beaches. 

Located in the industrial area near the airport, the Pond offers a serene swimming experience with clean and clear water.

Just make sure to be a little cautious as there are no lifeguards available on duty. 

Location: Pond St., Rockcliffe Park

Morrison’s Quarry 

Did you know there’s a blue oasis near Ottawa? Morrison’s Quarry, just a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, is a beautiful beach for swimming and scuba diving.

The beautiful turquoise waters and sandy beach area are perfect for relaxation. 

The site also features picnic tables, BBQ pits, and even a waterslide, providing fun for all ages. 

Location: 1780 Quebec Rte 105, Chelsea

Fitzroy Provincial Park Beach  

Situated just an hour away from the capital, Fitzroy Provincial Park is the perfect spot for anyone looking for a peaceful escape into nature. 

The park features two beaches each carrying its own unique charm. 

The main beach features washrooms, picnic tables, barbecues, and canoe/kayak rentals, while the camper’s beach located in Two Rivers Campground is perfect for families with small kids. 

While you’re here, don’t forget to take a short hike through the century-old white pine forest and explore the meandering Carp River by paddle.

Location: 5201 Canon Smith Dr, Fitzroy Harbour, ON K0A 1X0, Canada

Burnstown Beach 

Situated along the Madawaska River, Burnstown Beach features a large sandy swimming area, a boat launch, and even a rowing area for those seeking adventure. 

On land, you’ll find a play structure, picnic tables, a seasonal snack bar, change rooms, washrooms, and a shaded grassy area. 

While at it, make sure not to miss out on Burnstown’s renowned artist galleries, shops, and eateries, all housed in heritage buildings, within walking distance from the beach. 

Location: 1537 Calabogie Rd, Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z4, Canada

Direction Burnstown Beach 

Petawawa Point Beach 

At the junction of the Petawawa and Ottawa rivers lies the town of Petawawa’s premiere waterfront park – Petawawa Point. 

Here, you’ll find amazing vistas, a sandy beach, a boat launch, a snack bar & canoe/kayak rentals. 

The beach might be unsupervised but rest assured, it’s well maintained and monitored regularly by the municipal staff. 

Beyond the beach, Petawawa Point stretches as a series of islands across the Ottawa River into Quebec that’s worth exploring. 

Location: Petawawa Point, Petawawa, ON K8H 3M4, Canada

Bon Echo Provincial Park Beaches 

Just a 2-hour drive from Ottawa lies the Bon Echo Provincial Park, where Mazinaw rock stands tall as a testament to indigenous heritage. 

This 1.5-km-long sheer rock face rises 100 meters from Mazinaw Lake and features over 260 indigenous pictographs – the largest visible collection in Canada. 

White at Bon Echo, take an interpretive boat tour to get up close to the cliffs or climb to the lookout atop the rock. 

Bon Echo’s main beach on Lower Mazinaw lake is a popular spot with a spacious sandy beach, a buoyed swimming area (note that there are no lifeguards), and shaded picnic spots. 

North and south beaches offer quieter alternatives for campers and day-trippers. 

Location: 16151 Hwy 41, Cloyne, ON K0H 1K0, Canada

Pine Point Beach

Nestled along the tranquil Ottawa River in the charming town of Deep River, Pine Point Beach is a true hidden treasure. 

With over 200 meters of golden, sandy shoreline, it’s a beachcomber’s paradise. The beach also offers amenities like washrooms and convenient parking. 

Surrounding the beach, you’ll find a magnificent mixed forest with winding walking trails, perfect for an afternoon stroll. 

Location: Pine Point Rd, Deep River, ON, Canada

Conclusion

Ottawa might not be the Carribean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day or more at the beach. Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, water, snacks, and lunch. If you’re planning on swimming, don’t forget your swimsuit, towel and goggles. And if you have little ones, bring them along with some sand toys for added fun. 

[silvercanuck]

As someone who's lived on Lake Ontario nearly my whole life, it's sort of like living next to a freshwater sea. There's undertow, but not really tides or the enormous waves from the ocean. I think the highest waves we've ever gotten were about 5 metres (15 feet). You can't see across the lakes, but on very clear nights you might see the reflection of city lights on the underside of clouds across them. They don't freeze over except at the edges closest to land, and it's very, very dangerous to go on the ice. Lots of people die that way. The water gets fairly warm during July and August and makes for excellent swimming. The region where I live used to be underwater millions of years ago, so it's rich in sand and limestone (which contains fossils). A fun activity for beach combers is finding "sea" glass because it erodes the same way. The weather around the Great Lakes can be somewhat unpredictable and even violent. We've had tornadoes, severe thunder storms, hail storms, blizzards, and we also experience extreme humidity and heat in the summer to the point it's dangerous to be outside. It's kind of an incredible area with a sort of unique biome and I do recommend people visit if they have the opportunity. Some destination cities are Quebec City, Montréal, Ottawa, and Toronto. Some other places are Trois Rivieres (yes, really), Brockville, Kingston, Prince Edward County (an island in Lake Ontario with pristine sand beaches), Brighton, Niagara Falls, Owen Sound, Sault St Marie, and Thunder Bay. Avoid Hamilton at all costs. These are all roughly on the north side because, as my url suggests, I am Canadian. I welcome any questions about living in the area for travel interests or for writing.

The Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River superimposed on a map of Europe

[celtfather]

Streets of Derry #613

Visualizing walking the Streets of Derry listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

JuhaRossi, Scottish Fish, Lily Bentley, Arise & Go, Mary Beth Carty, Tim Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner, Alli Johnson, Corey Purcell, Victoria Johnston, Gordon McLeod, Clare Sands, Brian Finnegan, Brad The Piper, Voice of Lir, The Celtic Kitchen Party, Brass Lassie

GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX

The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free.

VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2023

This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2023 episode.Vote Now!

Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile your votes to update a playlist on Spotify and YouTube. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. Follow us on Facebook to find out who is added each week.

Listen on Spotify and YouTube.

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:02 - Intro: Tamsin Silver

0:25 - Juha Rossi "Glen of Aherlow (feat. Valentine Fatout - Bineau)" from Irish Tunes on Mandolin

3:48 - WELCOME

5:37 - Scottish Fish "Freefalling" from Upscale

9:35 - Lily Bentley "Ploughboys in the Gloaming" from Norwood Gothic

12:52 - Arise & Go "Slides & Polkas: Cuz Teehan's #1 / Cuz Teehan's #2 / Mairtin O'Connor's / The Ballydesmond / Jessica's Polka" from Meeting Place

17:29 - Mary Beth Carty "Blueberry Mountain" from Crossing the Causeway

21:36 - FEEDBACK

26:14 - Tim Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner "Farewell Dundee • Babe of Bethlehem" from The Birds' Flight

29:51 - Alli Johnson "Streets of Derry" from Into the Hollows

34:00 - Corey Purcell "Polkas (Gas Station Sushi/Whiskey and a Fiddle)" from Undaunted

37:13 - Victoria Johnston "Tar Liom" from Where the Lights Glow

Pronunciation: Tar Liom-Tar Lohm

40:41 - Gordon McLeod "Twelve of Sheila's Lads" from Still Fiddlin'

44:22 - THANKS

46:44 - Clare Sands & Brian Finnegan "Dealán Dé"

Pronunciation: Dealán Dé-Deal - awn Day

50:36 - Brad The Piper "Cradle 2 the Grave" from The Forgotten Game

55:05 - The Celtic Kitchen Party "The Ottawa Jail Song" from Lobster Tail and Beer

1:00:07 - The Elders “Moore St. Girls” from The Secret World of Celtic Rock and American Wake

1:04:22 - CLOSING

1:06:13 - Brass Lassie "Moch Diluain Ghabh I 'n Cuan" from Brass Lassie Pronunciation: Moch Diluain Ghabh I 'n Cuan-Mac Diloon GHav in Gyuan-That GH is a bit of gutral back of your throat kind of thing.

1:09:25 - CREDITS

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to subscribe to the show. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. Big thanks to Neill McShea who shared pronunciations for the Celtic song titles.

Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you’ll get 7 weekly news items about what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage.

Finally, please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.

Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.

WELCOME CELTOPHILE TO CELTIC MUSIC

* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I’m a musician and podcaster out of Atlanta, Georgia. This Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com.

This isn’t just the music of Ireland or Scotland. It’s Celtic Music from around the globe and in your own neighborhood. Celtic music is local and I want you to be a part of the show.

Hey Celtic Bands, I’m looking for new music and stories in 2023. To submit your band, just complete the permission form at 4celts.com. You’ll also find information on how to submit a story behind one of your songs or tunes.

I plan to release an album pin to promote the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I launched a Kickstarter that goes along with the re - release of our compilation CD, The Secret World of Celtic Rock. The Kickstarter launches at the end of July on the podcasts’ 18th birthday. You’ll be to buy the CD and the album pin and support the podcast.

Make sure to follow our pre - launch page in the shownotes.

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST!

Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow.

As a patron, you get music - only episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, and you get a private feed to listen to the show.All that for as little as $1 per episode.

A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Bill Mandeville, Marti Meyers, Meghan Walker, Dan mcDade, Carol Baril, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Gary R Hook, Lynda MacNeil, Kelly Garrod, Annie Lorkowski, Shawn Cali

HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Go to our Patreon page.

Decide how much you want to pledge every week, $1, $5, $10. Make sure to cap how much you want to spend per month.

Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music.

You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com.

TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS

Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos.

Sign up to Learn more about next year’s invasion when it is announced at http://celticinvasion.com/

#celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can take a screenshot of the podcast on your phone. You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Or how about a picture you took of a band that you saw.

How would you like to introduce an episode of the podcast? It’s super easy. Contact me for details.

Email me at celticpodcast@gmail, message me on Facebook, or contact me through Mastodon @celtfather@c.im.

Tom Morley emailed around St Patrick's Day: "Marc, Our Chattanooga - based band Stringer's Ridge played a concert on St. Patrick's Day at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. (I am there on the faculty at the famous folk arts school usually once a year teaching beginning or intermediate Irish Fiddle.) We had a wonderful crowd and it was a great way to spend the best Irish day of the year! I am enclosing several photos of us at the historic Keith House where we put on the concert. (Tom Morley - fiddle, Fran Morley - bodhran, Bryant Haynes - guitar)

Thanks for all you do to promote Irish trad music!"

STRINGER'S RIDGE

Marilyn S. Hansen sent a photo about Easter Rising Band: "14 seminarians got together years ago in St. Louis and developed an Irish band. Most of them are married now. They play at each other’s weddings, but they also have regular gigs. The interesting part is how their kids take part�� This is last year‘s celebration. I was out of town this year celebrating my sister’s birthday the day before St. Patrick’s Day. Thought I’d send you last year’s photo. I’ll send you a few that they’ve sent to me for this year.

EASTER RISING BAND

Pete Watson emailed St Pat's photos: "Hi Marc, The Bookends had a fabulous time playing a number of shows throughout Ontario around St. Patrick's Day.Attached is a photo of Miriam (left) and Cait (right) on St. Paddy's Day for our gig at The Rec Room, Toronto, with our regular special guest bodhrán player extraordinaire, Romano Di Nillo.Romano is just back from 4+ years with Come From Away on Broadway and we were so glad to have him with us for these shows.The venue was handing out some "paddywhackery" to attendees and these 3 couldn't resist putting some on!"

THE BOOKENDS-PETE WATSON

Bruce Cummings, a Piper emailed a photo: "Hey Marc!Just to say how much I enjoy listening to the Celtic music you provide. You asked for pictures from St. Patrick's Day 2023, so here's a couple. I am part of the Lane Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums in Eugene Ore. We had a great weekend piping in the area.Keep up the good work!"

BRUCE CUMMINGS PIPER

Jim O'Connor of Boston Blackthorne emailed a photo: "Hi Marc -hope you had a fabulous holiday!

Boston Blackthorne played 3 nights in Western MA, centered around St Patrick’s Day as well as the big parade (the nation’s oldest) in Holyoke MA.We played to crowded enthusiastic fans in Northampton MA and Holyoke MA.But perhaps the best gig (and story) was the one that arose spontaneously back in the lobby of our hotel after our St Pat’s evening show.

The hotel lobby is most frequently empty but this night is was crowded with about 100 boisterous folks from Minnesota, visiting Massachusetts to support a Women’s college Hockey team.

We were approached by the unofficial spokesperson who pointed at our guitar and fiddle and asked, “Can you really play those?”

I answered of course we can, and this is your lucky night!Not only has your party been invaded by musicians, we are an Irish band and this is St Patrick’s Day! We proceeded to unpack our instruments and did a set of singalongs like Charlie on the MTA for the Boston connection.Halfway through the set our wives came into the lobby -my wife grumbled to Pete’s wife, “This party is going to keep us up all night!”Pete’s wife Maureen looked a little closer and exclaimed, “Hey that’s Jim and Pete in the center of it all!”They joined the fray, we had the best gig of the year playing for this group of strangers from the Midwest, wonderful folks who doubtless went home with a great tale and the definition of the work “Craic!”

JIM OCONNOR

  Check out this episode!

[ottawa-firewood]

Ottawa Firewood is Trusted Sand Wholesalers: A One-Stop Shop for All Your Sand Needs

Ottawa firewood is Sand wholesalers in Ottawa are businesses that specialize in the distribution of sand for various industrial, construction, and landscaping purposes. These wholesalers offer a wide variety of sand products, including beach sand, masonry sand, concrete sand, and more. They serve contractors, builders, landscapers, and other customers in the Ottawa area, providing them with high-quality sand products at competitive prices. With their extensive inventory and expertise in the sand industry, sand wholesalers in Ottawa can help customers find the perfect sand solution for their specific needs. They also offer delivery services to ensure that sand is delivered to the job site on time and in the required quantities. Whether you need sand for construction, landscaping, or any other purpose, sand wholesalers in Ottawa can provide you with the right sand for the job.

[ottawaqualitypainting]

Upgrade Your Space Without Breaking the Bank: Staining and Refinishing in Ottawa

If you're looking to refresh the look of your home or office in Ottawa, staining and refinishing may be just the solution you need. Staining can enhance or change the natural color of wood or other materials, while refinishing can remove damage and update the overall appearance. At Ottawa Quality Painting, we specialize in staining and refinishing services and  Speciality Finishing Ottawa to help you achieve the look you desire. In this blog, we'll explore the world of staining and refinishing Ottawa, highlighting some of the speciality finishing techniques available and the benefits of choosing our team for your project. Whether you're looking to update your furniture, cabinetry, or other wood surfaces, our team has the skills and experience to bring your vision to life.

Introduction to Staining and Refinishing in Ottawa

If you're interested in staining and refinishing your own Ottawa home, there are a few things you should know before getting started. Here's an introduction to staining and refinishing in Ottawa.

When it comes to giving your home or office a fresh look, there are a lot of options – and associated costs – to consider. But there are ways to upgrade your space without breaking the bank. Staining and refinishing is one such option. Staining and refinishing  Ottawa is a great way to change the look of your floors, furniture, or other wood surfaces. It's also relatively inexpensive and can be done yourself with some basic supplies and some elbow grease.

If you're considering staining and refinishing in Ottawa, there are a few things you should know before you get started. This guide will give you an overview of the basics of staining and refinishing, including what you'll need, how to prepare your surface, and how to apply the stain.

Benefits of Staining and Refinishing

Staining and refinishing your Ottawa home is a great way to upgrade your space without breaking the bank. There are many benefits to staining and refinishing your woodwork, including:

- Enhancing the beauty of your woodwork

- Protecting your woodwork from damage

- Making your woodwork last longer

There are numerous benefits to staining and refinishing your furniture. First of all, it's a relatively inexpensive way to give your pieces a whole new look. You can also customize the finish to suit your personal style and taste. Additionally, stained and refinished furniture is much more durable than painted furniture, so it will withstand wear and tear much better.

 Professional Services for Staining and Refinishing in Ottawa

If you're looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade your space, staining and refinishing your existing Ottawa surfaces is a great option. There are many professional services that can help you achieve the look you want, without breaking the bank.When it comes to staining, there are two main types: water-based and oil-based. Water-based stains are easier to work with and clean up, but they don't always provide as rich of a color as oil-based stains. Oil-based stains penetrate deeper into the surface, providing more durability and longer lasting color.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a stain color, including the type of wood, the grain pattern, and the surrounding colors in the room. If you're unsure which color will work best, many professional services offer color consultations to help you make the right choice.

Once you've chosen your stain color, the next step is to prepare the surface for staining. This includes sanding down any rough edges and removing any old paint or varnish. Once the surface is prepped, you can apply the stain using a brush or roller. For best results, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

After the stain has been applied and dried, it's time to apply a topcoat of polyurethane or varnish. This will protect your newly stained surfaces from wear and tear and keep them looking beautiful for years to come.

Conclusion

With the right tools and advice, you can make a lasting impression on your space without breaking the bank. Staining and refinishing in Ottawa is an affordable way to upgrade any room or home. Whether you are looking for a fresh coat of paint or want to add some color with staining, there are plenty of options available to help you create a beautiful new look that won't break your budget. So don't wait - take advantage of these easy tips today and start transforming your space into something special!

[college-girl199328]

Oilsands giant Syncrude Canada Ltd. has been charged with the death of a worker north of Fort McMurray on June 6, 2021, in Fort McKay while using an excavator to build a berm when the bank slumped into the water.

Syncrude faces charges under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, including failure to ensure the health and safety of a worker by permitting the worker to operate the excavator on a ramp with an over-steepened slope, failure to comply with Energy Safety Canada safety rules, and other offenses.

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture that includes Suncor Energy Inc., Imperial Oil Resources Ltd., Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership, and CNOOC Oil Sands Canada.

The Ottawa People's Commission says the city can't move on from last winter's convoy protests until all levels of government take steps to regain residents' trust.

That conclusion is contained in the second part of the commission's report, which synthesizes the testimony of more than 200 local residents and businesses.

The grassroots commission, which is separate from federal and city reviews of what happened in Ottawa in January and February 2022, said it wanted to hear from community members about the impact of last winter's anti-COVID-19 mandate protest-turned-occupation.

The commission's initial findings, released earlier this year, focused on the experience of residents and found the majority felt abandoned amid what they characterized as a violent protest that brought widespread human rights abuses to people in the city's downtown.

The second report, released Tuesday, looks at how the city, the province, and the federal government can offer redress and suggests the community should "move on" and "get over it," but "[the commission] believes it is essential and urgent that the City of Ottawa and other governments provide a substantive—and indeed transformative - response," the report reads.

The commission is offering 25 recommendations and a timeline for completion, but there's no obligation for governments to respond. More than half of the recommendations are directed at the City of Ottawa, while others offer suggestions for all levels of government.

The commission's advice for the city boils down to developing policies and putting committees in place to be prepared for future large-scale protests or emergencies.

The report also recommends that the city revise its emergency management program with a focus on communication. "Communication was intermittent, and off-key people who live downtown to 'avoid downtown' were as vexing as describing the occupation as 'mainly peaceful,'" the report concluded.

It notes that Ottawa Public Health did not put out a statement of concern until the occupation had been underway for two weeks and didn't mention the negative impact of diesel fumes for another four days, suggesting only that people avoid the area.

The report suggests the city create an advisory committee to help get a sense of residents' needs in times of crisis and build a plan, backed by regular training, to provide the necessary outreach to vulnerable people.

To that end, it suggests that public health and fire services work together to create a "needs map" that identifies neighborhoods and households that would be particularly at risk in times of crisis. Such a guide would consider race, disability, and gender identity, among other factors.

The city must also ensure that "lifesaving services," including public transit, food programs, harm reduction, and emergency shelters, remain accessible to residents at all times.

The commission also suggests that the city adopt its own human rights charter to hold itself accountable in times of crisis, commit to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and consult with indigenous organizations to create a policy to work better with local groups.

The report also calls on all three levels of government to formally apologize to the people of Ottawa. "Almost every person who testified… about the convoy's impact spoke with a combined sense of disbelief, distress, and outrage of feeling utterly abandoned by the officials they count on to keep them safe," according to the report.

The commissioners suggested the city hold a series of town halls so officials could hear firsthand how residents were affected. In addition to ongoing reviews, the commission also recommends an independent investigation into the actions of some police officers.

It says all three levels of government should look into reparations for human rights violations and compensation for lost wages, business losses, and other financial costs caused by the convoy occupation.

[aqua2fana]

More on that Gotham Rogues mermaid au

So like a week or two ago I made this post and thought I’d add in what ocean or sea the rogues were caught in and a couple things about their life in the batfam’s aquarium

Edward: South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam, very curious about humans. loves attention and must be constantly entertained or else he escapes his tank and roams the facility, giving him intricate puzzles to solve works best. He loves compliments and responds well to positive reinforcement. Very emotional. He charms anyone he can. Loves getting access to any human media.

Jonathan: originally from the North Atlantic Ocean, Labrador Sea but despite being a deep sea mer he migrated inland and began terrorizing people in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, he was eventually pulled out of the Ottawa River. likes the dark, scares guests, has a supernaturally terrifying aura, unsettles guests and staff. Has a fascination with any staff that aren’t openly afraid of him. Very persuasive.

Oswald: Found deep in the Bering Ocean off the coast of Russia. Fascinated by birds because they can fly and he thinks that’s the wildest thing. Basically runs a trade system between the other mers the way inmates in prison do. He came up with it and they trade things like food, shells, different “enrichments” from their tanks, things they’ve stolen from staff. Motivated by greed and pride.

Selina: Originally from the middle of the South Pacific Ocean but wandered a little outside the normal range of the Indo-Pacific region and was caught far off the coast of Chile. Is a thief and a flirt, very independent and loves shiny things. Keeps a collection of things she’s stolen from staff members. Prefers to share her tank with a group of at least 5 (non-mer) catfish all of which she has named and become very attached to. Flirts with Bruce for extra privileges.

Ivy: Originally from the the Western Pacific between Japan and Australia, migrated around the world luring men out to sea and was eventually captured in the North Channel between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Tank has tons of plants and is basically an enclosed ocean forest, she doesn’t come out for visitors often and when she does it’s usually for female visitors and staff. Likes to visit Harley and is only handled by female staff.

Harley: From the East Indian Ocean off the coast of Australia, migrated up to the Irish Sea. Very social and talkative. Has a huge crush on Joker obviously. Has two pet dogfish sharks named Bud and Lou of course. Loves when staff provide her with hair ties and supplies to make jewelry out of seashells. Loves interacting with guests.

Joker: No one knows where he came from but he was fished out of the Suez Canal (in case you don’t remember where that is off the top of your head, it connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean). He’s probably responsible for a number of missing persons cases before being caught. Joker has been obsessed with Bruce from the beginning and is usually extremely violent towards other mers and especially towards staff in an effort to get Bruce’s attention. Once tried to maim Jason. Bruce is the only one allowed to handle him now.

Waylon: Caught in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Was occasionally known to eat humans before his capture. Can speak French. Likes to hide in the sand. Is insecure about how plain he looks because he’s less colorful than the other mers.

Zsasz: Found in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia. Indifferent towards humans and violent towards other mers, especially female mers. This is because he is very nihilistic. Is not allowed any sharp objects. Likes things that most would consider frivolous because he appreciates especially pointless things. Ex: dumb plastic “enrichment” decorations and other such things that shouldn’t be underwater or things that become useless once in water.

Harvey: Originally from the West Pacific and adopted a migration pattern drifting from the West Pacific off the coast of Japan or Australia to the Eastern Pacific off the Coast of Oregon or California, was captured off the coast of California. Very persuasive and also very moody, important that staff knows which side they’re speaking with. Only eats from 2:00-2:22 pm and 2:00-2:22 am. Usually settles disputes between the other mers, unless he’s personally involved with the dispute. Was the Wayne Aquarium’s first mer and knows Bruce very well.

Bane: Found circling Santa Prisca (which I guess is the dc equivalent of Puerto Rico) in the Caribbean Sea. I’ve since decided he’s a bull shark due to the significance of the bull in a lot of Spanish speaking countries. Really hates Bruce and is surprisingly indifferent towards other staff. Really likes to eat puffer fish and will be pissed if they’re unavailable. Has a really thick layer of glass between him and guests.

Jervis: From the English Channel but captured in the Celtic Sea off the coast of Cornwall. Used to lure blonde women into the sea. Flirts with blonde female guests. Speaks in rhyme with a British accent. Alice in wonderland doesn’t exist under the sea but he happens to have similar obsessions anyway. He references things that have an uncanny similarity to wonderland characters and the wonderland plot line. This baffles the staff as they have no idea if he’s referring to mers he used to know or if these people/characters exist at all.

Freeze: Captured in the North Sea off the coast of Germany. Can be surprisingly gentle. Demands very cold water that includes actual ice floes. His mate, a female mer named Nora is in critical condition, he was captured because he brought his mate to the German shore in hopes she could be saved. Wayne Aquarium is working on a cure for her condition.

Most of them low key have an obsession with Bruce or one of the other Wayne’s.

Idk if I want to include the rest of the rogues but for the record... Slade would be obsessed with Dick, Roman with Jason, Ra’s (I think the al Ghuls would be sea snakes) with Tim, and Talia (assuming I include the al Ghuls as mers considering their relation to Damian) would behave very motherly towards Damian (who I guess in this au if the al Ghuls are mers would simply have an unnamed Arabic mother).

I also headcanon that female mers are typically more dominant in mer society which is matriarchal, females are typically larger and more likely to cooperate with each other and form a large group (hence the Gotham city sirens). Males are smaller and more likely to fight each other.

Anyway these headcanons are free to use and I’d love to hear any additions

[allthecanadianpolitics]

1. Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival – June 1-21

Established in Ottawa in 1996, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is a multi-disciplinary arts festival that brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures. The former 4-day live event takes place in June: coinciding with National Indigenous History Month and closing on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21). This year’s virtual programming includes The SSIMAs a new national Indigenous music awards program as well as Education Days, streamed performances, interactive family activities, arts and crafts, culinary and cultural workshops including the popular Pow Wow now socially distanced.

Twitter https://twitter.com/ottawasolstice/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/solsticefestivals/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/solsticefestivals/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnmJlZdwcGa-6nB6L4mJqA

Website: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/

2. Stop Insuring Trans Mountain: Week of Action – June 14 – 21

Online and in-person

Join us for a week of action from June 14 – 21 targeting the insurance companies enabling the continued operation and expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. 

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻? The Trans Mountain expansion project would transport an additional 590,000 barrels of tar sands oil per day from Alberta to British Columbia, and lead to a 700% increase in oil tankers in the Salish Sea. Many Indigenous communities have consistently and repeatedly rejected the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project – but the Canadian government continues to plough ahead with construction.𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲? Current insurers of the pipeline are complicit in violating Indigenous rights and driving climate change through providing $500 million USD in coverage. Without insurance, the pipeline cannot keep operating, and its expansion can’t be constructed. That makes un-insuring Trans Mountain a critical way to stop the pipeline once and for all.Last year, Indigenous communities and activists pushed three insurance companies to cut ties with the pipeline: Zurich, Munich Re, and Talanx. We are not letting up the pressure.Trans Mountain is currently seeking insurers to back the project in the year to come, with a deadline of August 31. Right now we have a critical window in which to pressure insurers to rule out coverage for the pipeline and make Trans Mountain uninsurable.𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻:

Liberty Mutual

Chubb

AIG

W.R. Berkley

Lloyd’s

Starr

Stewart Specialty Risk Underwriting

Marsh

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀! We will turn up the heat on these companies during the Week of Action through protests at office locations, digital actions, and more. Find your local or virtual event below.

Stop TMX Week of Action Supporter Toolkit:

http://bit.ly/TMXToolkit

Sign up to host an action in your community here:

https://forms.gle/LrrDdu8P62bir7eM7

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲!): Berlin, Bristol, Charlotte, Denver, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Fremont, Kaneohe, Ottawa, Montreal, Portland, Seattle, Rochester, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria

3. COVID-19, Social Safety Nets, and Sex Work in the Capital Survey – June 5 – June 30

The “COVID-19, Social Safety Nets, and Sex Work in the Capital” survey is a joint research project between University of Ottawa researchers and Prostitutes of Ottawa-Gatineau Work Educate Resist (POWER). This survey of sex workers in the capital region seeks to better understand the economic impact of COVID-19 on sex workers and how they navigated social benefit programs created in its wake. The confidential and remunerated 10-12 minute online survey will remain open thru to June 30, 2021. 

For more information about the research or to take the survey, please visit https://www.powerottawa.ca/covid19

4. Protest at Ottawa CBC – Tuesday, June 22, 4:30PM

Rally Point: Sparks St. and O’Connor St.

OTTAWA! 

We are calling on you to join us Tuesday June 22 at 4:30 PM at CBC offices to protest CBC’s anti-Palestinian biases and dishonest reporting on Palestine.

CBC has refused to report on the 2021 Human Rights Watch report highlighting Israeli crimes of apartheid: https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution

They have reprimanded their journalists for signing an open letter to newsrooms asking for fairer coverage of Palestine.

And they have banned the use of the word “Palestine” in their broadcasts and digital media.

We demand change!!!

NOTE: Please abide by all COVID19 guidelines and social distancing measures. See you there!

Hosted by: CBC Palestine

5. OCAP Solidarity Speaker Series: Long-Term Care – Thursday, June 24, 11AM-12:30PM

Hosted by: Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

Join us again Thursday June 24th for our Solidarity Speaker Series event. This month’s spotlight is on Long-term Care and will feature speakers from Ontario Health Coalition, the EMPOWER network, and York University. Come learn about how the government has allowed this sector to be woefully neglected with deadly consequences and what we can do to improve legislation and shift away from the for-profit model of senior care.

Who you’ll be hearing from:

Pat Armstrong, Sociology Professor, York University

Cindy Huggins, PSW, EMPOWER network

Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition

The OCAP Solidarity Speaker Series is a recurring event, taking place on the last Thursday of the month, to spotlight rad organizations and individuals and highlight ongoing issues from an anti-capitalist perspective. We aim to educate, spark dialogue, and call folx to action in diverse and meaningful ways.

Hope to see you there!

More info and event link here.

6. Learning from the Movement OGs – Thursday, June 24, 4PM-6PM

Nothing happening in this historic era of protest has come from nowhere. This two hour panel will highlight the wisdom of movement OGs who have been doing the work—and are still doing the work—of Black liberation, Indigenous anti-colonial struggle, and migrant justice struggle, which has laid out the conditions of possibility for this political moment.

Panelists: Bridget Tolley, Lynn Jones, Beverly Bain, Harsha Walia

Facilitators: Robyn Maynard, Pascale Diverlus

Sign up here

Hosted by: Building The World We Want

7. Justice for Workers Outreach at Britannia Beach – Saturday, June 26, 12PM – 2PM

Join us for this community canvass at Britannia Beach where we will be speaking out about the need for paid sick days, fair wages and decent work for all.

This will be the first Ottawa outreach action for the Justice for Workers campaign and we would love it if you came by to help us collect signatures on our new petition!

Look out for our tent and volunteer team. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, and don’t forget to bring water and snacks. 

Sign up and check back for more details to be announced shortly. 

Materials and location info at this link. 

8. Stories from Insider Spaces: Exploring AGM Intervention as an Activist Tactic – Monday, June 28, 6:30PM – 8:00PM

Hosted by: Mining Injustice Solidarity Network

Registration information below!

Have you ever wished you could look the CEO of a harmful company in the face and say your piece? Want more information about a corporate project that’s impacting your community and wish you could get some answers? Come to this event and explore the strategic possibilities of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) with the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network (MISN)!

All publicly traded companies are legally required to hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs), where shareholders are able to attend, ask questions, and vote on important decisions.

This means that, once a year, companies with significant influence (including mining companies) are compelled to open up a space that is much more accessible to the public than many industry gatherings that happen behind closed doors. AGMs allow shareholders to hold company executives accountable. They can also be an important opportunity  for activists and impacted communities.

AGM interventions have been an important part of MISN’s strategic toolbox . We’ve attended AGMs to take notes for impacted communities, asked questions to unmask the misleading information shared by mining companies with their shareholders, hosted rallies outside of AGMs, led disruptions inside the meetings themselves, and more. Here are some examples: https://mininginjustice.org/archive/pastprojects/spring-into-action/

During this event, MISN members and allies will share their experiences attending AGMs, outline some of the different intervention tactics that we’ve used in the past, and provide some practical information on how you can research and buy a share in a company so that you can also attend its AGM.

The format of this event will include multiple speakers, video documentation of AGM interventions, and some opportunities to engage in small group discussion with other participants.

We hope you’ll attend if you are fighting a publicly traded company or are impacted by a company and want to add one more approach to how you organize against it.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!: http://bit.ly/StoriesFromInside  

9. Status For All March – Ottawa Rally – July 25, time tbd

In person, place tba

Join the rally in Ottawa on July 25th to welcome the arrival of the historic March for Status for All from Montreal! Across the country migrants have been organizing for full and permanent immigration status for all. Massive wins have been secured, but there is still a crucial final step to win. We will not stop until everyone has full and permanent immigration status, with no exceptions. We will leave no one behind.  

From July 18 and to July 25, migrants and their allies will march from Montreal to Ottawa, led by Solidarity Across Borders / Solidarité Sans Frontières, demanding that Justin Trudeau’s government grant full and permanent immigration status for all. 

Join us in Ottawa to welcome the march! Time and exact location will be confirmed closer to the date.

RSVP here: https://migrantrights.ca/marchtoottawa/

This rally will be in accordance with COVID safe guidelines: we ask all attendees to wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines

[tgoutd2511]

What’s on my mind?

Prompt:

Response:

What’s on my mind this week revolves almost entirely around school. I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to get back in person in time for the OSAT 2 winter camping trip this weekend. While I’m looking ahead to the weekend in anticipation for the trip and am pretty excited for the experience, I am a little nervous that the weather is good to us, and it doesn’t get to the chilling -40°C that students experienced pre-covid. Building and sleeping in a quinzhee sounds like a ton of fun, that is until you have to get out of your sleeping bag in the morning to make coffee. While I work on getting my gear in order for the trip and practicing for the fire lighting test, I’m also trying to stay caught up on other schoolwork and make sure everything is organized before the upcoming reading week. I feel like this might be similar to some other students since quite a few of us are going to be on the trip this weekend and are probably all looking forward to the upcoming break from school.

Another bonus to having in-person classes start this week was being able to begin work on the voyageur canoe. We were able to start ripping it apart, scraping old paint off and sanding down the exterior. It’s a very satisfying and rewarding process to get to be a part of. Having talked about the project for some time now it feels great to finally get started and see some real progress, even though there’s still a long way to go.

My mind has also been occupied with new information surrounding ice skating trails, which is what my group is focusing on for our podcast assignment. It has been really interesting to research the increasing popularity of these trails. I can’t help but think of my experiences visiting my aunt and uncle in Ottawa when we would tie up our skates and get beaver tails along the Rideau Canal in the winter. I always thought that was really cool (and very Canadian) so the increasing popularity and accessibility of these skating trails across Ontario is really great to see. When properly implemented they can really help build up a community. I’m looking forward to researching the topic further and working on the project with my other group members.

  References:

Me, myself, and I

[letree]

X CANADA

Day 1- Bigbird’s big adventure began by driving from Kelowna to Red Deer to dump off the mutts and say adios to the family

Day 2- We made a mile and left Alberta towards Saskatchewan. All the crops had just been harvested and the wide open fields held only hay bails, cows and the odd herd of antelope. We spent the evening in Cypress Hills provincial park which was a random spot amidst the praries full of trees and a body of water. We went to bed early and hit the road earlier to keep on rollin

Day 3/4- We breezed into Manitoba and stayed at the Kiche Manitou campground. We woke early enough to be one of the first to arrive at the Spruce Woods Provincial park. The Spirit Sands was a 10km hike with a mixture of elements- one minute we were in the prairies surrounded by flat land and crops, the next we were in a forest of mixed vegetation and sand dunes. Unlike an arid desert, these sand dunes were full of life; Big gross white spiders (the wolf spider) , grasshoppers, yellow daisy like flowers, and oddly enough mushrooms growing out of the sand. After emptying the sand out of my shoes 5 times, the land transitioned into prairies mixed with forest and water features. Further down in the Devils Punch Bowl area was a beautiful blue green body of water with trees growing in and around it and Skink lizards swimming around. By the time we finished the hikes and got back to the camper, the parking was completely full so we hopped back on the road

Day 5- we spent the day driving and made it into Ontario. We stopped and had a crispy charcoal pizza in the parking lot of an abandoned restaurant. The skies poured their hearts out as we drove into the night and ended up spending the evening in a gas station parking lot.

Day 6- truckers began peeling out and the sound of the crosswinds and rain woke us. The rain come down faster than the wipers could clear it. We drove down the highway, a crimson red, coloured from dirt here. Out on the horizon was a light blue lake smashing against the cliffs of Canadian Shield . Things settled long enough for us to enjoy an extremely windy sunset at Lake Superior Provincial Park. Our campsite backed onto a long stretch of beach with soft sand and red rocks. If you didn’t know it was a lake looking out, you’d think you were at the ocean. Darkness fell quick and the next morning we went for a quick hike at Cresent Lake. We drove all day and had our first overnighter in a Walmart parking lot

Day 7- We made it into Ottawa and stayed at the Wesley Clover campground, only 15 minutes from downtown and close to IKEA (which we had to visit). For the first time this trip we set an alarm and not only did we get our oil changed, but we got a free breakfast! All lubed up we went and parked the truck downtown for the day. Unfortunately because of covid, all the things we planned on seeing were closed and under construction. We walked around the parliament building, majors hill park, notre dame basilica and admired the outside of the buildings. The centennial flame had an odd presence to it- due to the findings of the children at the residential schools there were shoes, teddies and protestors surrounding the area.

We got some Mexican food for lunch and tried eating outside, but a swarm of wasps joined us and had to taste everything including our beverages. After a small freak out, we got our bikes and toured further around downtown. We biked down the Rideau Canal and over many bridges.

After getting slightly lost we went back to the camper and had lasagna for dinner. Homeless Guy-“What games do you play?” Kaine-“ I don’t play video games” Homeless Guy -“hahahhahaha cool guy doesn’t play video games! Yeah right hahahhahah”

Day 8/9- the morning started off slow with some laundry and driving, but we made our way to the eastern townships and found a cute little family owned campsite called Camping Leroux. Hélene greeted us and was the first person to hold a full conversation with me in French and not switch to English. *accomplishment*

We drove into a close by town called Magog and, as recommended to us, had poutine at Chez Paul. We watched the sun set from atop a light house then got some groceries and headed back. The following morning we set off to Mount-Orford and did a 10km loop. There isn’t much soil on top of the rocks for the trees to grow, so instead of growing into the ground, the routes splay outwards throughout the path weaving over each other. Afterwards we drove to a parking lot in a nearby town called Sherbrooke. The steepest hill in town just so happened to be their Main Street, so we peddled our bikes as hard as we could up it then coasted along the river. We ended up biking to a basilica in town and toured the inside where the sun was casting beautiful rainbows throughout the church. To cap off the day we went paddleboarding at sunset, made tacos and had a little fire.

Day 10-We drove into Quebec City and parked near the old downtown area. The buildings were all colourful and full of small details making each one unique. There was some interesting art Installations throughout the streets- like a woman on a swing 20ft in the air between buildings or a guy fishing over a stream..

The next morning before leaving we did a 6km run around the lake then cooled off with a quick paddle board. We made our way to Quebec City where we stayed at a campground called Quebec En Ville. The woman running it didn’t speak any English so I got to really test out my French speaking abilities. Our google maps also decided (on its own) it would develop a French accent while here. There was a long boardwalk which looked out onto the Saint Lawrence river and a staircase which claimed to have 310 stairs. It didn’t look like 310 so I counted them as we went up and low and behold there was more. Liars. Most of the shops seemed gimmicky and like a tourist trap, so we avoided them and went out for lunch. While enjoying our escargot on the patio, we had front row seats to a guy playing a game where you swing a metal ring on a string onto a hook. Very mindless, but entertaining. After lunch we took a tour through the citadelle, but learned very little as our tour guide was very hard to understand hah. We took a short bike ride after and shared a crepe before heading back to camp.

Day 11- After sleeping in and driving all day and night, we arrived at the Bay Of Fundy and stayed at Headquarters campground. The next morning we hopped in the truck and drove to a nearby hike called Matthews Head. It was a very humid 4.7km hike with a couple viewpoints, an array of colourful mushrooms, and tons of squirrels who’d throw things at us from up in the trees. We then drove up to a lighthouse lookout called Enraged Cove and met a few locals who gave us a fossil and pointed out a cluster of red ticks in the bush. We continued on to Hopewell Rocks when the tide was at its lowest and walked the sea bed scavenging for critters. We found one small crab, but he dead.

Day 12- we drove over the confederation bridge and made it into PEI! (Not before a quick nasal swab upon entry) We stopped for a quick burger and flight of beers at Lone Oak Brewing (the beer wasn’t great but they had nice merch, so we got a hoodie) then went to our campsite in Cavendish.

The following day we went into Charlottetown to stuff our mouth holes full of muscles, seafood soup, lobster rolls and bruschetta. We waddled back to the truck and went back to the campsite because I was too full to keep walking around. We stuffed ourselves into our swimsuits and spent the evening relaxing on the beach. Not too far from the beach was a trail we ran each morning to a lookout point. The first thing you would run past was chipmunks and rabbits eating apples that had fallen onto the ground, next was red sand dunes blown up from the beach, followed by a fishing pond then the lookout.

Day 14- we’d been eating lots of pasta so we decided to do the hardest hike we could find nearby. We chose one called Franey Trail which led us up to a 360 view of Clyburn Brook canyon and the Atlantic coastline from Cape Smokey to Ingonish. We had a little picnic at the top then hiked back down to a second hike. After a quick hotdog we hiked the Middle Head Trail which had the windiest damn lookouts I’ve ever been too. We hiked out and made our way to a nearby beach and watched the waves roll in until we headed back to camp for the evening.

Day 15- we made it across Canada! Alas, it was time to turn around. We drove for a bit and stopped for lunch in Antigonish NS, at a place called Brownstone restaurant. I picked it because it had a cute old style store front, and for the same reason, tourism Nova Scotia was there filming a tourism commercial. Next thing you know, we’re signing release forms and part of the shoot! We ordered clam chowder, salad and a maple bacon poutine to share. The poutine was the best we’ve had. A few local beers and we were back on the road until dark. Days last- we drove and drove and drove. We had a Walmart sleepover again one eve, drove over a damn and set up in the pitch dark on a hill at Mactaquack NB, had a sleep over Selkirk Manitoba and had a frog in our site, had a river front stall in River Park Sask and had an evening paddle board with a beaver.