July 30, 2012 Ottawa Ontario

A great day spent with Marti and Nigel in Ottawa.  We had been happy to have them for a week’s visit last year in San Diego at our home and are glad to be back at their home. 

We got to sleep in a bit today.  What a luxury to not get out of bed until after 8.

We had such a nice breakfast, and had the chance to meet Marti and Nigel’s new dog, Tessa.  Tessa is a really nice dog with a ton of energy.

A day filled with talking and getting caught up on life’s happening.  It is hard to have our families scattered across North America.  Always glad when it is possible to get together.

The morning was full of errands:  laundry, getting an oil change after driving over 7000 miles (the folks insisted that we also get our tired rotate which we didn’t), doing some blogging, buying another flash drive to back up the thousands of photos we have been taking.  Dick joined the gang on going for a walk with the dog.  

Patti then joined up with them for lunch at one of their favorite places, a “made from scratch” buffet.  Then we walked around the market area which was a feast for the yet with such lovely clothing, and food.

The vegetables just looked picture perfect.  We couldn’t resist buying a bit of real Canadian maple syrup. 

Then we took a “non-tourist” drive through the area.  Ottawa is, as you might know, Canada’s capital and so in filled with beautiful old buildings.  It was great soaking it all in.

The afternoon left Dick to revise some driving routes for the next few days, and Patti napped and caught a bit of the Olympics.

Dinner was an amazing fresh veggie salad which we all devoured.  Oh, we have been well fed by our loved ones on this trip!

Later, we watched a video of photos that will be used for our nephew Chris’ wedding in two months.  We are so pleased we will be back for that event (although we will fly that time!)

Patti enjoyed a rousing game of fetch the pink elephant squeaky toy with Tessa.  And then we all shared homemade lemon ice cream, made with Grandma Weaver’s special recipe.  It was a catch your breath kind of day.  We really appreciated all that Marti and Nigel did to help us get ready for the home stretch of the trip. 

We all sang a chorus of “Happy trails to you until we meet again” over dinner.  Now doesn’t THAT date us?