One Last Skate on the Rideau Canal - Monday, Jan. 31, 2011

On the way out of town we stopped for one last skate on the Rideau. It was Monday night so there were not that many people skating; plus, it seemed far less people had skated on the canal since it was scrapped and flooded than the day before. We were also further up the canal at the 3.0 KM marker, so I assume less people skate there than at the 0.0 KM marker.

We parked the car at a convenient lot across the street, it was $5, which seems a little steep since there were only 3 other cars there and we were only parking for about 30 mins. But I didn't really care, because the experience is priceless.

We got our warm winter clothes on in the car and walked for about 5 minutes to the canal. At the canal they had the indoor area to change into skates, so we used that. It was about -12 C, and -20 C with the windchill. We skated up the river looking for the alledged Pig Island. Once we reached the 4.2 KM marker and still did not see it we decided to turn back.

It was a really great skating surface, so there was a lot less falling than there had been the day before. It was a different part of the Rideau and it was night, so a much different experience than we had on Sunday.

I am glad we stopped for one last skate. I am glad we made the trip to Ottawa. What a great weekend get away.