The Civic Holiday in August is called Colonel By Day here in the national capital. John By was the British military engineer tasked with the construction of the Rideau Canal between 1826-32. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, winding between Ottawa and Kingston on Lake Ontario. Here at the Ottawa Locks, things were going on.
The Canal is a popular route during summer for boating traffic. Here at the Ottawa Locks, it comes to an end at the Ottawa River, with the Chateau Laurier looming above. Parliament Hill is on the west side of the Canal.
I stopped in at the Bytown Museum. This local history museum started out as By's commissariat, a storehouse during the Canal building. It has housed the museum for decades, and the museum tells the story of the development of the city since those days. I'll have to stop in sometime over the fall, as I didn't make a full visit of the museum this time out.
On Colonel By Day, a ceremony is held over on the east side of the Canal. It was happening when I was here.
This sign is close to the ceremony.
A view out over the Ottawa River from the very start of the Canal.
While here's a view looking back up the Ottawa Locks. I have more from here tomorrow.
Looks lovely and peaceful!
ReplyDeleteCanals were an amazing engineering feat but sadly many died during their construction. I wonder if By could ever have realised what an important and picturesque feature the canal would still be today.
ReplyDeleteA boat trip travelling down the canal looks as if it would be a good day out.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Reminds me of Italy.
ReplyDeleteI have spent many happy hours along the Rideau Canal.
ReplyDeleteYet another affirmation of the benefits that can come from immigration.
ReplyDeleteGostei de ver este belo canal e aproveito para desejar uma boa semana.
ReplyDeleteAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
How wide is the canal? In the last photo, it looks very, very narrow. What kind of boats would have used it?
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
Always love seeing Chateau Laurier William, are the public ever allowed during Open House?
ReplyDelete...you had a beautiful day for your visit to the canal.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day you have experienced!
ReplyDeleteI always learn so much from your posts. This one is no exception. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and practical canals are...so glad to see this one in use.
ReplyDeleteThe canal is beautiful as is the building that houses the museum!
ReplyDeleteThe smoothest ride in the world is on a horse drawn canal boat! Great photos
ReplyDeleteThis prairie boy loves to watch the canal and locks in operation.
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating to watch boats in the canal.
ReplyDelete@Lady Fi: that it is.
ReplyDelete@Fun60: history vindicated By. He died under a cloud of scandal over the costs of the Canal, but he was entirely correct in what he did, and he'd be proud that the Canal still operates, and that it's a world heritage site.
@Rosemary: many people do so.
@Iris: I can see that.
@David: I've spent a great deal of time walking along it.
@Revrunner: quite so.
@Francisco: thanks!
@Janis: these days mostly pleasure boats. A lock is ten metres wide, forty one metres long.
@Grace: it has participated in Doors Open. There's nothing stopping a member of the public from just walking in and going around the ground floor, which I've done from time to time, and the Chateau has a couple of restaurants inside too.
@Tom: the weather cooperated.
@Ella: that it was.
@DJan: thank you!
@Barbara: it's well used.
@RedPat: I agree!
@Maywyn: thanks!
@Red: I like it too.
@Marie: that it is.
That Chateau Laurier is a gorgeous building.
ReplyDeleteThrilling living history! Nice series, William
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts William, not only for the photos but for the history. Thank you!
ReplyDeletebeautiful water shots and lovely history ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
A beautiful canal on a beautiful day. Lovely photos, Wiiliam.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! I don't see a lot of canals around here. And what a gorgeous day to visit!
ReplyDelete@Sharon: it is.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: thanks!
@Denise: you're welcome.
@Carol: thank you.
@Bill: it was a pleasant day.
@Jeanie: I'm quite used to our canal.
We went through a lot of locks in Europe on a river cruise. Amazing piece of engineering!
ReplyDeleteThe Rideau Canal certainly looks different than in winter and nice to see the great weather for boating on it.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a beautiful piece of work.
ReplyDeleteBoth Eddie and I love canals, enjoyed your photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It must be so nice to walk along the canal. I'd sure enjoy doing that!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a canal town and live in one now. Important in their time.
ReplyDelete@Janey: that they are.
ReplyDelete@Beatrice: it changes each season.
@Jennifer: that it is.
@Jan: thank you!
@Happyone: I enjoy doing so.
@Joanne: that's quite true.
It looks like a perfect day for an outside ceremony. I assume that the canal will be closed one of these days soon?
ReplyDeleteBeautifully captured.
ReplyDeletevery cool. love the cross. i bet the bag pipes were pretty to listen too. ( ;
ReplyDeleteA canal, beautiful lake and outstanding views. You are so lucky
ReplyDeleteparsnip
William - when I first read Colonel By Day, I though it would be followed with Someone Else By Night … shows how little I know! A marvelous engineering feat, and how terrific that they still acknowledge those who gave their lives to the project.
ReplyDelete@Kay: at some point in October the boating season will end and they'll start lowering the water levels for the winter.
ReplyDelete@Magiceye: thank you.
@Beth: they were indeed.
@Parsnip: well, the Ottawa River can be as wide as some lakes!
@Angie: it's a splendid idea.
Nice shots. The Celtic cross is a meaningful monument.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed.
DeleteI would love to take a cruise on this canal. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't!
DeleteGreat photos of the canal and the Ottawa locks:)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGood weather this time ;)
ReplyDeleteIt was.
Delete