Same Age

One wears it better.

Last weekend, DW and I headed out to the Rideau Canal to check out the Winterlude festivities. It wasn't our first time, this season, on the canal, as we had hit the ice on the first morning that the NCC opened it to the public, but it was the first time since our city's annual celebration had opened.

We parked in Centretown's Golden Triangle neighbourhood, not far from the Corktown Bridge. DW's plan was to skate from this pedestrian bridge to the 0-kilometre marker, near the Canadian Senate, and back, past her starting point, to Fifth Avenue, and then back again.

Because of my reconstructive foot surgery, back in 2018, my left foot no longer fits into my skate. And even if it did, there's a spot on the top of my foot, just above where a metal plate and eight screws take the spot where I once had joints, where, if any pressure is applied, causes intense pain.

Sadly, my skating days are over.

But that didn't keep me off the ice. Armed with one of my D-SLRs, I walked from the Corktown Bridge to the 0K marker and back, snapping some photos and shooting video along the way.

I'm planning to make a video of the skateway, including some Winterlude festivities, in the next week or so. Stay tuned.

By the time I returned to Corktown Bridge, I could see DW climbing the stairs toward Queen Elizabeth Drive and our car. She phoned me, wondering where I was, and I told her I was about 50 metres behind her. By the time I had ascended the stairs, she was just getting to our car, so I used the key fob to unlock the doors for her.

I told her, on the phone, that I just wanted to capture some video from atop the pedestrian bridge and would join her ASAP.

In the car, DW suggested that we drive to Ottawa City Hall, where we could park in the underground garage, and that we wander Sparks Street, where there are ice sculptures and other goings-on. It was a great idea, so off we went.

One of the sculptures celebrates the 60th anniversary of our Canadian flag. The ice is carved as a fireplace and hearth, with the number 60 carved on the mantle and our flag proudly placed like a priceless painting.

DW suggested that I stand in front of the sculpture, since I'm also turning 60 this year (in less than three weeks, as a matter of fact).

The flag is holding up much better than I am. It'll also last much longer that I will, no matter what some dipshit says.

Happy Friday!