It is late September here in Ottawa and COLD. Classes are spent huddled in sleeping bags. I cannot wait to go to WV where it will be warm(er)!!! It is supposed to be a high of 33 degrees F tonight!! thank god the girl's cabin has heat...unfortunately the boys don't...

This past weekend we went into Ottawa City to do some sight seeing. First on the list was Parliament. It was really cool. We got to learn about the Canadian government and how different it is from ours. The architecture was amazing! There was one room that a certain sculpter had been hired to do. He was told that he was not allowed to sign his name anywhere on the sculptures. He was proud of his work and wanted people to recognize him for it. So, when the room was unveiled, up on the wall was a carving of his face!! 
Next we jetted off to lunch at the mall. Id forgotten what groups of clean people smelled like. It was good to eat a non wilderness tours meal. After lunch we went to the Museum of Nature (or something). It was a big building with four floors of different exhibits. The boys were running around playing with all the kids toys in play areas. I think the funniest moment was when Keagan and Stephen put on a puppet show. 
Finally we drove the hour and a half home to Keenerville. It was really fun to get out and do something completely different from our normal schedule. Ottawa is a cool city for sure.

The level is rising fast on the Ottawa. This sure has been a weird summer for the river. Normally it is around -1,-2 at this time. It is currently 5 3/4!!! I think it is cool that the river fluctuates so much. There is always something new! The students are hitting all kinds of big moves. I have been off the river due to tendonitis is both arms for the past week, but as of today am back on the water (thank god!). I cannot wait until I am fully healed and can paddle hard again...

We are really getting into the swing of things here. School is full intensity and there is a definite routine down. The honey moon is over so to speak. I am still having so much fun though!
-Tracy