Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go

As we headed for home Sunday morning, I noticed the clock on the dash read 10:39. We had already seen at least 40 hot air balloons take off and float over and 2 land, eaten breakfast at Eddy’s and played at a park near and in the water of the Rideau River. What a morning!

We left home at 6:20, made a quick stop at a Tim Horton’s, admired the sun rise and were at Rockcliffe Park in time to see the first balloons on the Gatineau Balloon Festival grounds inflating. It was chilly enough for long sleeves and blankets but a gorgeous late-summer morning none-the-less. We could even hear the National Arts Centre brass section playing as the balloons went up. We saw many of the brilliantly-coloured traditional balloons go over. They look especially lovely in the soft early morning light and against the blue sky we had. We also saw a Darth Vader head, Mr Peanut, a pirate in a barrel, a dragon, a panda bear, 2 bumble bees, and a lady bug. It was surprising how many people were in the usual lookout spots along the river and at Rockcliffe Park. We were the 5th car along the road, though, rather than a kilometre or more away like on Saturday night.

After all of the balloons had passed, we headed off for breakfast but decided to follow a chase vehicle to see a balloon land. We found ourselves at the sports field of a local high school with 3 balloons down or almost down. We got out to take a couple pictures and ended up spending quite a while watching the process of deflating and packing up. The baskets are really quite small, particularly since the fuel tanks are inside where the people ride. With wet feet and hungry tummies we climbed back into the car and went to Eddy’s for breakfast. Breakfast was as good as always and we bought some almonds at the Shopper’s Drug Mart to feed to the swans before we went to the river. (There are a few pairs of swans, known as Ottawa’s Royal swans, that are descended from those given to the city in honour of Canada’s centennial.

Of course, the swans weren’t in the part of the river where we were. Reid played at a nearby playground – and a very nice one it was – and then splashed in the water. I’m not sure if the city even checks the Rideau River to see if it is safe to swim in but all city beaches were officially closed for the summer on Friday in any case. I was in a risk-taking mood, having grown up splashing in the creek where the cows drank, and let her enter the water. Aunt Pam and I even waded in as well. The other parents, especially the ones that make their kids wear socks in their sandals on hot days, weren’t impressed with my parenting decision. Reid, Aunt Pam and I had lots of fun and Grandma Joyce enjoyed watching us from her chair on the shady river bank. We couldn’t have found the shade at a beach and still wouldn’t have known the bacteria count. Why do you suppose the city closed it’s beaches before Labour Day anyway?

After much splashing, many photos, a number of giggles and a few attempts to skip stones – Aunt Pam kicked my butt – we headed for home. We took the time first to change Reid from her soaking pajamas into a dress I’d brought. We spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon hanging around the house. Aunt Pam took Reid to the park in our neighbourhood in the late afternoon. Reid came home soaked and covered in sand again. She was grinning ear-to-ear and said Aunt Pam said that she could do it. Aunt Pam protested that she was being inaccurately quoted but Reid took no heed. It’s a good thing that I buy and Grandma Joyce makes Reid’s clothes to be worn and not just looked at. I popped the beautiful, once-pale blue dress into the washing machine to soak and we’ll hope for the best. The smile and giggles were worth it.

We had a day full of fun but one that was not too busy to end our “real” summer. I’m glad Reid has the chance to ease out of her “old life” and into school.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 6:05 am and is filed under Barbara's family, Pastimes, Vacation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.