Ride on, Highway Cat !!: Vegging by the pond

Day 40 & 41, Rest and Rest. in Ottawa...
Dist: Beer, Avg spd: Chinese Buffet, Saddle Time: Cat vs. Cat
06 26 2011 & 06 27 2011
I am submitting Day 40 and 41 into this post for simplicity.
Hanging out with David and Anna at their castle in Ottawa is a fantastic way to spend 2 days off.
I introduced Highwaycat to everyone. Of coarse she was an instant hit. Anna thought that Highwaycat was larger, like the size of a Triceratops perhaps. Celebrities are often larger than life. Calpurnia (Resident guard cat) had a nice chat with HWC. I don't know what was said, but I think that some ground rules may have been established. They got along just fine after that. Intelligent cats such as these rarely have problems adapting to new situations. Humans could learn a thing or two.
It was nice to have food, beer and coffee at my disposal. Anna is extremely thoughtful as there is never a hesitation when it comes to catering to my every demand. After all, she is a Greek woman ya know. (Kidding in a nice way Anna)
David has a nice pond in his back yard that he constructed by himself, complete with large boulders, lights, running water and pond monsters. Toads enjoy hanging out there at night. Oh my god, they are so loud ! I had no idea that toads could be this audible, very cool.
I spent a day as a tourist on my bike. I hit the hot spots like the Rideau Canal and downtown Ottawa. It was nice to ride around casually without all my gear. The weather was fantastic too.
Chores such as laundry and bike maintenance were easily taken care of as well as hanging up my tent to dry out.
We did lots of other things that were great, but I must sum it up now. Staying at Camp Binkus was a welcome stop. Seeing David, Anna, Calpurnia and my Aunt was a fantastic opportunity that could not be passed up. My best stopover so far !!

Thanks for the great hospitality Guys !!

I had to get past the Gate Keepers

Then I had to bribe the Chief Security Officer...He took Evil thoughts that were locked deep in my subconscious. A win-win scenario.

Bumble Bee on purple thingamabob

Beechwood Cemetery

Visit the sister that I never met. I shouldn't be smiling.

"This pond has some serious flaws... I'll find those bastards soon "

Cousin David and my Aunt Helen

Gardens at the Beechwood Cemetery Ottawa

The Binkus Pond. A diverse collection of life forms reside and thrive here. Swimming is not encouraged.

Noisy little bastard...

Another brutal thankless annoying day...

"My thoughts are your thoughts..."

This piece of Junk is so primitive. What a loser.

"Ya, well, I don't speak of my travels because I don't want to intimidate anyone, besides, I don't buy that one about bunny hopping over a tractor trailer or the story about 2 Black bears a Powerbar and a spoke wrench." Blasphemy !

"OK What's this meeting about"

It's a bloody Zoo over here

The old Homestead. I grew up at this campsite . 'Cardinal Heights', Gloucester. David took me on a drive-by just to fill a curious void. Many fond memories created here. Someone else lives here now.

Cool name for a bike shop. Nothing here for me though.

Outside Canadian Museum of Nature

I used to love this Museum..."Canadian Museum of Nature" Back when I was a youngster, this facility had a nice Dinosaur collection. My father used to bring me here, I loved the fossils, still do. Most of it was moved to a newer facility in Hull Quebec, "Museum of Civilization" A brilliantly designed building.

Museum of Nature

Digging up S. Bank Street...

Warzone

Bad for business, but gotta be done

The Rideau Canal near Dows Lake. Beautiful. I took these places for granted when I lived here.

Multi-use trail around the Canal. Maybe 20 km round trip from downtown to Dows Lk. Not sure. A great skating rink in the winter for sure. "Winterlood" is a big event in February.