Champlain On The Bridge

We've been here before. I was heading onto Plaza Bridge before Thanksgiving when my eyes fell on that bright autumn red of the tree below. I've shown this location before as well, from a different angle. The wall you see is that same area where back in September I showed you the Muskoka chairs, and the staircase with the paintings is directly below (the painting's gone now). The glass structure over on the other side of the Canal is the new Convention Centre. I'll take you in there sometime; it's a spectacular use of space. 

After taking this shot, I looked over onto the bridge, and couldn't resist taking another shot of the Chateau Laurier. Below the bridge, you can see the underlying arch I've shown you before at night. 

The sidewalk on this side of Plaza Bridge is quite wide, out in front of the Government Conference Centre. For the last few years, this space has been used in the summer for the placement of interpretive panels and  displays of history. In previous years, anniversaries of the Coast Guard or Navy were the theme, or the establishment of National Parks. This year, being the four hundredth anniversary of Champlain's coming up the Ottawa River, the theme has been on the explorer, with a series of panels displaying his story and what the places he passed through now look like.