Discover the Rideau Canal
June 26, 2003 1:30 PM   Subscribe

The Rideau Canal is 202 kilometers long, goes from Ottawa to Kingston, Ontario, has 45 locks at 24 lock stations, and you can skate on it during Winterlude. More facts, a photo gallery. If I had the chance (and the money), I'd be renting me a boat and heading to eastern Ontario.
posted by ashbury (14 comments total)
 
Don't forget to grab a Beavertail while you're there!
posted by Succa at 1:45 PM on June 26, 2003


Hey Ash, are you singlehandly trying to get tourism in Ontario going again? Why not hold a publicly funded rock concert instead.
posted by damclean2 at 4:37 PM on June 26, 2003


I went to college in Upstate NY and we drove up one year and skated on the canal - it was quite an experience. Snow and ice sculptures, barrel jumping, all kinds of fun contests, and coffee and hot chocolate stands all along the way. Thanks for the memories!
posted by thunder at 4:38 PM on June 26, 2003


All of these recent posts about Ontario/Ottawa amuse me to no end. They've come at a time when I've begun to get tired of here, but now I'm thinking it's not such a bad place after all.

Although after 40000+ school trips to the Ridea Canal and Museum of Civilization, I'm pretty damn sick of them! If you discuss the Hershey Factory and Upper Canada Village, you'll have pretty much covered my education from Kindergarten through OAC :^)
posted by krunk at 4:51 PM on June 26, 2003


...thanks for all the cool canadian links lately ashbury - good stuff! I have Ottowa on my mind now.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:03 PM on June 26, 2003


Is that better than Georgia, madam?

I have to admit, I have an ulterior motive to these Canadian oriented posts.
posted by ashbury at 9:00 PM on June 26, 2003


The Rideau Canal has an interesting history: it was constructed to provide a strategically secure supply route after the US invasion of Britain Canada during the War of 1812 -- the strangest war in (North) American history in many ways. As I recall, there were two earlier attempts to build canals in the same general area but these were not completed.
posted by dhartung at 10:13 PM on June 26, 2003


Thanks for this, ashbury...my husband is from Kingston...we're quite enjoying this link and all it's linklets.
posted by Dunvegan at 12:10 AM on June 27, 2003


You know it's summer in Ottawa when the Changing of the Guard stops traffic at 9:50 every morning on Elgin and Wellington Street for about twenty minutes. It's an interesting and odd sight to see, should you come here for the boating.
posted by KathyK at 7:12 AM on June 27, 2003


This upcoming Tuesday (Canada Day) is as good a time as any to visit Ottawa. Biggest party of the year as far as Canada goes. I'll be there. Anyone here going?
posted by Succa at 7:17 AM on June 27, 2003


I'll be there for Canada Day... hopefully it won't be as hot as it was last year -- 52 degrees celcius with humidex! Gah! I spent the whole day in Chapters, enjoying their air conditioning.
posted by krunk at 7:48 AM on June 27, 2003


I grew up in Ottawa, and I know what I'll be missing. You're right, succa, it is one huge bash.
posted by ashbury at 6:32 PM on June 27, 2003


Gonna get myself a prime seat down by the river for the fireworks, I think. The Guess Who is playing Parliament this year - a great reason to stay far away, according to me.
posted by danwalker at 6:59 PM on June 27, 2003


I live downtown Ottawa, so I can't really avoid the throngs of people around. A guy in my building is having our block closed off for a street hockey game. Canada Day celebrations used to be exciting when I lived outside of Ottawa, but now that I live here, it just makes it harder to get around the city.
posted by KathyK at 7:51 PM on June 27, 2003


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