Vacation

The last 2 weeks of July we went on a family vacation. As we so often do, we headed to Canada. Our first night was spent in Stratford, Ontario, renowned for its theater festival. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to take in a show. The next morning dawned searingly hot, and we got on the road ASAP. We headed for Ottawa, the nation's capitol. After we'd been on the road an hour, and the very crabby 20 month old had just fallen asleep, Daryl needed to conduct a conference call for work. He wanted to stop while he talked and have the kids and I play somewhere. Due to the intense heat and the napping baby, I was unwilling to do this, so we instructed the kids to be extremely quiet, and I drove while he talked. Amazingly, they remained inaudible for a little more than an hour while he talked! Apparently there were several arguments, and tears, all conducted in whispers so quiet that even I couldn't hear them. By the time the phone call was over, we stopped for lunch. Then we decided to spend a few hours on Lake Ontario, being unable to pass by the beach at a great lake without stopping.

We arrived in Ottawa late, checked into the hotel, went for a very brief swim before the pool closed, and then had a very late dinner from room service while watching Over the Hedge. In the morning, we went out for breakfast, and upon seeing what a beautiful city Ottawa is, spent several hours walking around.