It was still raining when we left Burritts Rapids this morning for Ottawa. Except that it was also cold and windy. Not the kind of day one would choose to go boating unless headed somewhere, which is the case with us. The temperature climbed to the low 50's by afternoon and the rain kept reappearing throughout the day.

The canal from Burritts Rapids to Ottawa, a distance of 40 miles and 7 locks, was a variety of marshland, farmland, McMansions, and finally the approach to Ottawa. The narrow canal leading to downtown Ottawa was outstanding. It was like traveling through a downtown park with biking trails on each side, bridges crossing the canal, and the Ottawa skyline with the Parliment Building coming into view ahead of us.

We easily found dockspace right downtown with the Parliament building out our front window. After docking we were met by the Great Lakes Cruising Club's port captains Ted and Venetia Moorhouse. It was a nice welcoming to a spectacular city. We expect to be here two or three days.  

We walked a few blocks to a bustling section of town called the By Marketplace and found a fiine Scottish restaurant. Monday we'll start out by visiting the tourist center and create an itinerary for our visit. We'll have more pictures as we tour the city.