Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 1,495)
Note: Only marginal proof reading so likely lots of errors. Janet has taken of the role of proof reader so I’ll have them fixed eventually.
Today Drew and I depart Montreal for Ottawa. As per usual, I make a couple of poached eggs, head into the bedroom to listen to soft music, read, and work on my next blog. As per typical, I nod off and wake up around 8:00 am. There is no rush to scramble. It is a short two hour, 200 km drive to Ottawa. We’re not in any rush.
I had one quick stop I wished to make as we left Montreal to take a picture of this statue. It is outside the Olympic Museum at 500 René-Lévesque Blvd West. If you can’t tell, it is meant to look like the Olympic Flame.
With the road construction, it proved a challenge to get across town as many roads were closed which was unknown to the GPS. Once we did arrive, I jumped out and Drew drove around the block.
The metal is mirror like and inscribed with every Canadian Olympian who has ever won a medal. I was particularly interested in finding Mark de Jonge who is a paddler. In the 2012 London Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the Men’s K-1 200 metres.
He just finished his paddling career at the 2020 Olympics in the Men’s K4. The team was competitive in the preliminaries but did not reach the podium.
You can see his name etched in the polished surface of this statue for his medal in 2012. I’d like to visit this museum in the future. It looks spectacular in the promotional material.
We have an interesting personal connection. Outside his paddling life, where he continues to coach, Mark is a graphic designer. He created the Second Wind logo for our boat which I’ve branded on all kinds of swag including shirts, masks, mugs, etc.
With that quick stop completed, we headed to Ottawa. I learned something about the GPS in the car. When you set up a route with a waypoint, you need to get close to the waypoint to have it go away or remove it manually. For close to twenty minutes the GPS keep re-rerouting us back in the direction of the Olympic Museum. Once we figured out why, it was clear sailing to Ottawa.
About twenty kilometers after the Quebec/Ontario boarder inside Ontario, there is a diner at Herb’s Truck Plaza which I frequented over the years. The fuel here is usually cheaper than other gas stations and the food is always good. It made an excellent location for Drew and I to have lunch. We shared a Clubhouse Sandwich and I had a cup of home-made Cream of Asparagus soup.
The fare is diner food. I can’t guess how many meals I’ve had here but they have all been excellent. A few years back, I bought a branded mug for the house. It didn’t survive our dishwasher. On my next trip through I mentioned it to our server and she promptly game me one from the dinning room. I think we still have that and it as good today as when it was given.
We arrived in Ottawa about 1:30. I really like the vibe in the Byward Marker and given a lot of this road trip is about putting check marks next to items on a bucket list, we headed in that direction. We parked and picked the Brig Pub as a location for an adult refreshment and some Onion Rings to share. It didn’t disappoint although it turns out both Drew and I have been in this Pub before when the family was up for the Grey Cup weekend a few years ago.
Drew and I were slated to stay with Carolyn and Stephen Leahy Tuesday night. However, Drew had not got as much work done on the trip as he planned and wishes to have as much time as possible open when we get to Toronto. He decided to book a hotel so he could have the peace and quiet he needs to focus. It picked it on Hotwire and it turned out to be a Holiday Inn. After we left the Brig Pub, we headed there so he could get checked in.
It was just a quick stop to drop luggage and we were off to Orleans for a supper party at the Leahy’s. The plan for Drew was to meet people and after supper head back by Uber to the hotel. As you can see in the overhead Google Maps image, Carolyn and Stephen has a swimming pool in their backyard. It is a great place for a family party.
People started to arrive around 5:30 and Helen was among the first. Janet’s Mom Betty will enjoy seeing the picture of her sister-in-law.
There were too many names flashing by for me to remember them all but it was a good turnout.
Michael, the birthday boy and Eliza arrived early. It was good to meet Mike as we share a common crisis; he has colon cancer which metastasized in his liver. His treatment is underway and the prognosis to be cancer clear in the near future is good. You can see he has a Second Wind shirt. That was a gift from Marianne.
Kim, son Cory, wife Samantha, son Trevor, wife Erin were there. Of course Carolyn and Stephen who were the hosts and their son Bret along Catherine and partner Jake. Elaine and husband Jeff with their son Dexter attended. I know I’ve missed some people but I wasn’t taking notes.
Carolyn and Stephen laid out a spread of Corn-on-the-Cob, Shish Kabob, and Caesar Salad. I contributed Meat Balls. It was a good feed. And it finished with Birthday Cake.
People started heading out around 8:00 pm which was good from me as I was starting to tire. It was time to head to bed,
As always, thanks again for being a support pillar in my life.
Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO