I'm Here: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
by Boundless Community on 07/02/2009 at 6:00 AM
I read Boundless from my home and during brief breaks in my job working for the Canadian federal government. Ottawa is a pretty city with lots of opportunities for enjoying nature: parks, hiking trails, ski hills, and camping sites are all within an hour's drive. There is also a healthy Christian community, which has been a huge blessing to me.
Some Ottawa trivia: Since I moved out here 6 years ago, I have been told many times that Ottawa is the second coldest capital city in the world. Actually, it isn't (according to Wikipedia), but it does have the third coldest January temperatures, after Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, and Astana, Kazakhstan.
We Ottawans take it in stride, however, and enjoy the winter with lots of skating, skiing, and hot chocolate! This photo shows the Rideau Canal, which is a 7km-long outdoor skating trail, worth checking out if you're here for our Winterlude in January/February.
God bless,
Maggie
1. Elizabeth (from Canada) said the following at 7:18 AM on Jul 2:
Speaking of the canal... don't forget those beaver tails to go with the hot chocolate! Ottawa's an amazing city - I loved the year I spent there going to school!
2. Jessi C. said the following at 7:46 AM on Jul 2:
Happy post-Canada Day!
3. Alexis said the following at 9:01 AM on Jul 2:
Ohhh Ottawa, how I do love thee! I have friends who live in Ottawa and wish I could visit more often, being approximately 8 hours south west in what is often called "The Armpit of Canada" and the southern most tip of Canada, Windsor Ontario it is quite the hike but well worth it! Ottawa is our Capitol and a beautiful, friendly city to boot! God bless Ottawa, it's residents and our members of Parliment!
4. L said the following at 9:03 AM on Jul 2:
It's June.
We only have 4 months of summer.
Why are you dwelling on January?!?
Hope your day off was warm! :)
5. Alice said the following at 9:08 AM on Jul 2:
I live ~5 hours from Ottawa (more north!) and have been there many times. My brother was born there and my sister lived there for many years. Skating on the canal sure is a lot of fun though, and it's definitely a beautiful city!
6. Maggie said the following at 9:29 AM on Jul 2:
L (#4):
Partly because I do love the Canal, and partly because that was the best picture of Ottawa that I had, so I needed some context. :-)
It's true though, the summers are lovely, and yesterday evening the weather was perfect for the holiday.
7. Michelle said the following at 9:32 AM on Jul 2:
Just to clarify for our friends south of the border, who may be tempted to believe the "year-round snow, live in igloos, drive dogsleds" myths of Canada....this is not a picture of Ottawa in July. Though it's been a cooler summer than we're used to here in Ontario so far, the snow is long gone. :)
8. Kirsty said the following at 2:00 PM on Jul 2:
Wow...looks pretty! Canada is a great country.
9. L from Canada said the following at 8:00 PM on Jul 2:
Hi from Vancouver, BC, Ottawa! I haven't made it as far east as our nation's capital but I did spend several very cold weeks in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia! Let's just say, I'm glad to live in the mildest climate in Canada!
10. Joanna said the following at 8:27 PM on Jul 2:
I live near Kingston, but I have a lot of relatives in Ottawa and have spent lots of time there. Nice to make connection with other Boundless readers that close to home.
11. Stephanie A. said the following at 8:46 PM on Jul 2:
Hi Maggie, finally, somewhere close to home on here! I live about an hour south of Ottawa. Sadly, I can't skate, so I've never taken advantage of the Canal.
12. Tee said the following at 10:54 PM on Jul 2:
Yay Ottawa! I was just there - I spent a wonderful Canada Day in the Capital. The weather was warm and lovely (not a snowflake in sight ;)) and I got to shake Prime Minister Harper's hand!
13. 'Guerite ~ BoldLion said the following at 4:50 PM on Jul 3:
MMMM! Maybe I should move there since I am a rather very hot nature and don't like summer in NC. I love winter but prefer dry cold. I love hot chocolate too. I am wondering what kind of summer do you get up there!
Hungry to eat His Word,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion
14. Sarah K said the following at 10:16 PM on Jul 3:
I've got to say, I was in Ottawa last winter in January and February, and it's not nearly as cold as where I'm from on the prairies (and doesn't get nearly as hot in the summer either). The temperature hovered around -15 to -20 Celsius in Ottawa and the rest of eastern Canada, and Saskatchewan (where I'm from) and Manitoba were dealing with -35 to -50C. Those stats about Ottawa being the coldest sound really off!
15. Katie said the following at 4:21 PM on Jul 4:
I'm in Canada for the summer! I'm working at a Christian camp in Ontario. Beautiful country and amazing people! Happy Canada Day!
16. BDB said the following at 12:05 AM on Jul 5:
I realize that Ottawa is the capital of Canada, but why is "Immature Leadership" one of the suggested articles on this post?
Wait until someone from Sacramento sends in a picture!
17. Maggie said the following at 10:27 AM on Jul 6:
Nice to "meet" all you other Canadians!
Guerite (13):
We generally have lovely and warm summers, although this year and last year they've been rainy. Today it's about 22 degrees Celsius. Coincidentally, I'm planning a trip to NC in October.
Sarah K (14):
That's true, but the stats I mentioned are for national capitals. Even northern capitals like Oslo, Helsinki, and Moscow have more temperate winters than Ottawa. (Trust me -- I've been to all three).