Oh (Ottawa) Canada...

I like to cross the U.S. border at least a few times a year and luckily we are not all that far from the Canadian border. We've been to Montreal a few times but decided to venture further into British Canada. 

Next stop: Ottawa! The capital of Canada with one of the world's most picturesque parliaments, Ottawa turned out to be one of the nicest, friendliness, and quietest capitals I've ever been to.

The neo-gothic architecture of Parliament Hill was astounding. Incredibly detailed inside and out, the buildings combined influences into something that in uniquely Canadian.

The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operating canal in North America. The lock system used to move boats up the incline can be witnessed up close - and because this isn't America, you can actually climb on and across the locks...and get way too close to the edge.

We did the free tour of Parliament and saw the House of Commons, which is nearly outgrowing the space.

...and the Parliament library which was beautiful and heavily air conditioned (I'm sure it's better for the books, just not for patrons).

Our very handsome guide stopped us for a viewing of the royal family portraits before turning us loose.

Ottawa is a great place to visit and the weather cooperated so well, I got to break out my new pinafore!

North American Safari: Parc Omega

We left for Ottawa at 3:30 in the morning, determined to beat all the traffic and make a few stops along the way. After making record time to the border we made a beeline to Parc Omega. 

Ta-da!

Parc Omega is a self-guided drive through park showcasing a variety of North American wildlife in recreated natural habitats. You can visit the locals through wooded forest, open plains, rocky outcrops, and wetlands. Even better, you can feed many of your new friends!

Stop at the lodge to grab a bag (or 5) of carrots and get your map ready. You can tune your radio in either French or English to a station that tells you about the park and it's inhabitants as you cruise, but we were too excited to keep our voices down for long.

Carrots, check.

Excitement at it's finest.

You're met at the gate by some pretty clever deer who demand homage before you are allowed through.

There are feeding stations which prove distracting for a little bit...

But this guy wanted to get in and come with us.

There's a variety of deer, elk, wapiki that readily approach cars. Some animals are better viewed at a distance like bison...

and MOOSE (the holy grail of the trip)

...arctic wolves...

...and bears! A Momma and two cubs were scampering about, an electric fence between us and the happy family.

Tenacious Elk does not allow passage without payment.

Or you at least have to listen to one of his jokes.

Is that not a 'get it?!' face or what?? 

Parc Omega is located an hour-ish west of Ottawa and about 2 hours from the VT-QC border crossing (traffic depending). We were there over two and a half hours and probably would have stayed longer if we had thought to pack a lunch...and dinner.