Wednesday, February 05, 2025

Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena and boos for the US

WE THE NORTH came out to a Toronto Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena and as the opening preparations were underway we listened to the start of the United States' national anthem, where first one long boo rang out and then many in the crowd joined in. It was tentative at first, it's not like Canadians to protest like this, especially against someone we thought was a friend and partner but has since turned against our country to the north with threats and tariffs, just as the US has against Mexico with further threats against Greenland and Panama. And as the United States of America continues their plan to dismantle choice, equality and who knows what else, the world stands in shock and dismay for what the future holds, along with the choices a lot of countries will make in the wake of these attacks.

Heading to the Raptors vs LA Clippers game Feb 2, 2025
A Raptors art installation at the entrance along Raptors Way
Flames and fireworks illuminate the arena

Watching the athletes warming up, with the Raptors' mascot, surprisingly called Raptor, and the unfolding of the giant WE THE NORTH flag as it is propelled along the lower level by fans, makes for a great opening act. At certain times we were also treated to tiny little dancers called the T-dots, Raptors cheerleaders, teams helping out on in the aisles and giving out shirts and also a fun event called the baby run!

The Raptors did win on February 2nd, 115 to 108, so at least we got that going for us.


The individual signs spell out RAPS WIN
GO CANADA!

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Road Trip Ottawa: Skating on the Rideau Canal

Winter in Ottawa should mean skating on the Rideau Canal and in 2025 we got lucky as there was enough ice to open the famous canal, just in time for the annual Winterlude, after two disappointing years in 2023 (not opened) and for only 10 days in 2024. Ottawa tells us that the rink is the largest natural ice rink in the world with an amazing 7.8km rink reaching from downtown Ottawa to Dows Lake. An average of 19,000 skaters a day take to the canal so we decided on an evening, mid-week skate to avoid the crowds. You can rent skates on site if you didn't bring yours, they are $33 for two hours of rental ($50 deposit required), also available for rental are sleighs and ice trikes.
The start of the Rideau Canal Skate Trail
The start of the trail, or 0.0km, is located near the war memorial and in the initial section you can find the famous Beaver Tails and other vendors, a warming/change station and a bathroom. Further up the canal you can find more of the same, including outdoor fire pits at the 1.4km. There are plenty of access points and a few benches along the route and four rest areas. We talked to one lady that says it takes about an hour to skate the whole route.
You can't skate on the locks section near the Ottawa River

Ottawa's winter festival, Winterlude, runs from January 31 to February 17, 2025 with a number of attractions and entertainment throughout the city and into Gatineau, Quebec. Near to the canal downtown you can find Lumen Eira at Confederation Park which has a number of luminous art and audio installations.
Lumen Eira at Confederation Park

We stayed at a hotel in the downtown (Business Inn) and were able to walk around without having to drive, or take public transit or taxis. Some of the highlights of the trip, besides the canal skating, were visiting the current home of the Canadian Senate, having cocktails in the Fairmont Château Laurier, warming up by the eternal flame on Parliament Hill while viewing the cranes and construction walls as the Centre Block and Senate is currently undergoing multi-year expansions, renovations as well as tunnel construction.
The eternal flame on Parliament Hill

See more of our Ottawa trip after the jump.

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation