Going Canadian

Since that Orange Twat has repeatedly tried to bully Canada into being absorbed into the Ignorant Horde, Canadians have gone Elbows Up in response with our rallying cry: “I’m Sorry, but Fuck You!”

Tourism to the US is down somewhere around 40%, Air Canada and WestJet have dropped a few hundred flights to US destinations, cross-border shopping is into the toilet, to the point where US border towns are offering deals, acccepting Canadian $ at par and so on. Thank you, but we’re sorry, we’re voting with our wallets and Amerika doesn’t get any.

Which brings us to the trope of See Canada First. The point of the post is to let people share destinations here at home, stories perhaps, or just observations and recommendations of destinations that you like and others might like. Since Roaddave is based in Ottawa, Ontario, many of the initial ones might be in this half of the map, but as others voices add their bits, it will probably widen out.

I’ll kick it off: The Rideau Canal, which runs from Ottawa to Kingston, on Lake Ontario. Opened in 1832 for commercial shipping, but now pleasuring boating, is a 202km long canal and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive along it, or boat it and find literally thousands of beautiful lakes, streams, vistas and towns. With friends, we’ve done the length a few times in various sized cruisers. Even just driving the byways and highways along it, is almost magical. Stop in Jones Falls, Portland, or Westport, all about midway along. Tons of B&B’s, some very nice hotels and utility accomondation.

Halfway between Montreal and Toronto just off the 401 highway (translation for Amerikans, it’s like a big interstate) is Prince Edward County, which is a wine country area, with several dozen wineries within a half-hour drive. Do designate a driver, as the legs and brain go a little soft about mid-afternoon if you are touring wineries. There are some eye-wateringly expensive hotels and some modest and quaint B&B’s nearby. Oddly enough, in season, there are fields of lavender all over.

We could go on for weeks abou things in Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, Pagentry, Pomp, Ceremony, History and that kind of shit that you can look up online. If you can swing it, watch the sunsets over Britannia Bay in the West End. Cross the bridge to Gatineau and find Pataterie Chez Bob (Bob’s Patate) which serves, arguably the very best Poutine in the area. This is not the’Poutine’ you get a McD’s or BK. This is the real stuff. Order a small, as a large is only for people with a parasite that needs hourly feeding at the plus 1200 calories level.

The St. Lawrence Seaway is one of the largest freshwater working ship canals in the world. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Ottawa following highway 401, more or less. Ship watching, parks, recreation areas and, near Morrisburg, the Lost Villages area. When the Seaway was built and flooded, several villages were moved above the flood zone, but not everything was shifted. Scuba divers can lead you to the areas where you can still see some of the Lost Villages.

So there’s the start of Going Canadian. Your comments and suggestions will build out a broader, more comprehensive and personal list. We welcome your comments.