Ever since I moved to Canada, there have been two things I’ve wanted to do. First thing, was to rent a boat and travel the entire Rideau Canal, which goes from Ottawa, all the way to Kingston. The canal was originally built by the British back in 1832. They wanted a supply line connecting the cities, in case the Americans would ever attack again, but it never happened. It connected the Ottawa River, with the St. Lawrence.
It’s no longer used for supplies, or freight, just pleasure craft these days. It’s the longest continuously operated canal in the world, and also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. I would love to explore it, in its entirety, 202km in length, on a nice pleasure boat. Going through the 46 locks would be an interesting experience, one that takes me back to growing up in a small town in the UK, called Smithy Bridge. Beside us was the Rochdale Canal (pronounced “Rotch-dale”) which was filled with garbage for many years until it was restored again for the tourist narrowboat owners. Narrowboats, for those not familiar, are a sort of house boat, that can fit in a narrow waterway, typically very long in length. They are usually painted colourful, with nice flower designs on them.
A trip like that would be really amazing, but not a cheap experience, I did get my pleasure craft license though back in 2018, so at least I have that for now! The other thing I’ve wanted to do, is explore the Waterfront Trail in its entirety. It’s a trail that spans from Sault Ste. Marie, in Northern Ontario, all the way to the Quebec border, a whopping 3600km in length. I probably wouldn’t do the whole span, especially the mountainous parts. My main focus would be closer to Cornwall, Ontario, and the surrounding towns. Perhaps I would even document the experience, especially now that I have the blog up and running.
I bought a new cruiser bike last summer, from Sport Chek, a matte black colour, a very sweet ride, with that classic retro style. I miss riding my bike, I would hit up all the trails throughout Ottawa, and Gatineau, back when I lived there in 2016-2018. I snapped so many pictures with my semi-pro Nikon camera D5100. I mostly shot nature, and architecture of the buildings of the city. I must have close to 1000 photos from those days, I’d spend my weekends out, for 8 hours at a time.
I have so many ideas, it’s just a question of getting those plans achieved. I’m always creating something, whether it be music, trips, dream big or go home! The world is what you make of it, life is short, some people don’t make it past childhood, every day alive is a blessing. I try not to let people get me down, I’m so content when I’m out exploring new places, meeting new faces. I’m loyal to my friends, and if you are good to me, I will try to help you in return.
Anyways it’s time for me to head to bed, I have to work in the morning…
James
Pictured: The Rideau Canal locks near the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Ottawa, formerly the Grand Trunk Railway Hotel.
Pictured: The Waterfront Trail in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, beside the old canal, no longer in use and closed off from the St. Lawrence River.