Our last days of the trip in Ottawa were spent visiting the “Big Three”- The Museum of Natural History, The Parliment Buildings and the Museum of Civilization. There is certainly enough to see and do in those three site that would take a person a week!
The Museum of Natural History has recently finished its extensive renovation and now has 4 amazing floors to visit. My favorite part was the Dinosaur Exhibit and it certainly seemed to be the busiest. I’m not sure why, but these ancient giants always seem to fascinate the young and old alike. One thing I did not know was that Canada has the “best fossil record of horned dinosaurs in the world”! There are a number of interactive screens you can use if you want to learn more (of course I had to read them all!), a 3D movie about dinosaurs in the new theatre in the basement and a crazy exhibit about “Extreme” animals past and present. This museum is definitely a “Must See” if you are in Ottawa.
My next stop was the Parliament Buildings. I’m always awed by them and get this weepy patriotic feeling when I look at the Peace Tower. Last year when I was here I caught a glimpse of Steven Harper in his motorcade, however, there was a bit of a somber mood around the place due to the recent death of Jack Layton. I found out about is death when I was still in Quebec while trying to make out the headlines of a French newspaper. So sad. Leadership is such an integral part of a country and it seems so confusing that good men die while madmen live on; another one of histories great mysteries and frustrations. So we still had a tour and a great walk around to look at the statues and the view of the Ottawa River.
The final journey was the Museum of Civilization, which is actually in Gatineau across the river from Parliament. This is another 4 -5 hour tour if you want to see the whole thing. Last year I got to view the first 2 floors so this time it was the other 2. I really liked the ”Face to Face” exhibit of The Canadian Personalities Hall. It features 25 Canadians under the headings of “We Built”, “We Governed”, “We Fought”, “We Founded” and “We Inspired”. Each section focuses on 5 men and women who influenced Canada. David Thompson is one man that I truly admire. At 14 he came to Canada when most of the country had no geographical outline. He set out to map and survey millions of square kilometers, going where no other European had gone before. I also go to see the fabled “Champlain’s Astrolabe”. It was found I 1867 by a farmer clearing his land and it has been dated at 1603. It would make sense that it was Champlain’s since he was in the region in 1613 and probably the only one who would has such an instrument. What a mystery! It makes me wonder what he, or who ever did lose it say once they realized that it was lost for the next 200+ years.