Ottawa Getaway

Saturday was a two ice-cream day. Not to mention the slice of pie and chocolate cake.

What a fantastic weekend! We decided to go see our friend Lisa's perform in two plays this weekend which allowed us to skate with our friends at the Ottawa Inline club as well on Saturday and Sunday.

We departed bright and early on Saturday Morning at around 7:30, very thankful we were not going to be around for the inevitable traffic jams that would result from the TTC having gone on strike at midnight. We had brunch in Brighton in a nice tearoom with my old university roommate Lynn, along with her husband Colin and it was a pleasure to finally meet their little girl Anna. Given the amount of times we drive past them over the past couple of years on the way to Ottawa and Montreal, I certainly should have paid them a visit much sooner. I will resolve to at least pop by to say howdy in the future.

We actually spent a bit more than our allotted time with them, although it was definitely worth checking out their new home and playing with Anna. We rushed off to Ottawa (I even drove the last hour and a half into the city!) and managed to get there in time for the reading of Lisa's work-in-progress which was about the last hour of a woman's life on her attempt to climb Everest. The theatre was on Wellington Street across from a Vegan restaurant, so Jen and I took the opportunity to share a slice of excellent vegan chocolate cake.

From there we went over to Hull where Ottawa Inline holds their indoor practices at a multisport facility housed in a converted foundry. I have to admit that when I saw the place, I was envious of their high ceilings and windows. It must be very nice and sunny when they practice there in the winter! Unfortunately I missed their practice, but we got there just in time for the free skate and to hang out with fellow Mexican Travellers Peter, Corinne, Dominique, Cor, and Wilby, as well as other Ottawa Inline folks like Danny.

I had heard about the surface they skate on being quite "sticky", which is a wooden basketball court. It took some getting used to compared to Scooters' slippery surface, but I have to say it was great to zoom around corners with such fantastic grip. It gives you a certain degree of confidence to get lower and power through on your crossovers without constantly worrying about the squelching noise you get when your wheels start to skid at Scooters. I can see what they mean about getting tired out much quicker. I was quite winded after a few laps. It definitely makes for wonderful resistance training, and I'm sure it's really helped the Ottawa Inline folks get into great shape for their outdoor season. Looking forward to coming back next year and actually participate in one of their practices and plyos sessions. We apparently just missed the visit from the Quebec Premiere!

Sergio and Ursula were gracious enough to take us to a wonderful Veggie Thai restaurant and even offered us a place to crash on the spur of the moment, for which we are full of gratitude.

Lisa's play that evening was The Ventriloquist. We had previously seen the Toronto Factory Theatre production a couple of years back, and it was very interesting to see such a different interpretation. The part of the Doll/Puppet was perfect for Lisa and I loved her choices of movement, in a kind of marionette fashion. She pretty much blew everyone else off the stage with a very brave and complex, layered performance.

I can't think of a better way to wake up than with puppies.

Sunday morning I skated out to the War Museum with Sergio, and that was a fun little technical warmup through the streets and paths. There was a good group of skaters there, including the familiar face of Carolyn in her new TISC suit, who was in Ottawa visiting her parents. It was also nice to have some rec oriented people for Jen to skate with. Unfortunately, yet again, it appeared that I lost a frame bolt and had to stop just as everyone was leaving. Luckily Wilby lent me his skate tool. I had a nervous moment after I switched my middle bolt to the front where I had lost a bolt, when I suddenly realized I had no idea which direction the group went! I guessed they headed west along the river given the fact that Sergio and I had come from the East, and luckily that was the case as I caught up with a couple of the rec skaters.

Despite the narrow path and so many cyclist and walkers on it, I really enjoyed the casual skate along such a scenic route. Even the flooded area wasn't too bad an obstacle given the fact that we had to walk on the grass for a few meters. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a Sunday morning. The weather was pretty much perfect, even with a bit of wind. I tried to use this as an opportunity for technical skating. Focusing on getting low and playing about with my legs on the recovery.

I pulled for most of the way back, just to get in an extra workout and it was fun going for a couple of sprints with Andrew towards the end. I was happy to see Carolyn staying in there even with some of the surges. I wish we had the time to skate some more.

We managed to drive straight through without stopping! Which is quite an accomplishment for us.


WHAT I ATE ON SATURDAY
bowl of cereal in soy milk
Ham, cheese and apple sandwich
strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream
banana
Vegan Chocolate Cake
Mandarin Spritzer soda
Green Mango Salad
Tom Yum Soup
Mango Juice
Veggie Duck in Curry
Veggie beef in green curry
Spicy Thai veggie noodles
Veggie thai cold spring rolls
Spicy Thai veggies
Cookie Dough and Passion Fruit Gelato on a waffle cone
Orange Juice


WHAT I ATE ON SUNDAY
2 slices of whole wheat bread with margarine
Subways club on honey oat with all the fixin's
Coke and Orange pop
Fruitopia and Nestea
Pasta with veggie ground and vegetables.
Pickles.
Gazpatcho Soup with hot sauce.