I was up and at it early on Day Two. The plan was that we would take some time during the morning to visit family friends, Kate and the kids, and then head out to several museums. However, I was up earlier and struck out with the camera to catch a few photos in the morning light. Ottawa in the morning was quite peaceful, and I headed for several sites we were expecting to visit to help with location later. The area surrounding the National Art Gallery was especially scenic... although I extend my sincere apologies for waking several up that were sleeping amidst the Peacekeeping Monument. We visited this site again later in the day after touring Notre-Dame.

Our first task was to navigate the car across the city to Kate's place to accept a breakfast invitation. We made our way there, via GPS, and had a great visit, catching up on family and enjoying a "Martha-like" breakfast. The kids played and got along swimmingly while the adults caught up on StFX and the latest in work and play. Thanks so much to Kate for having us over and starting the day off with an Ottawa feel!!! As breakfast ran into noon, we said our goodbyes with the hope that all will meet again in the very near future... take care.

Capital Museums Passport - While setting the trip up I noticed on many of the attraction websites a link to a museum passport. This deal was awesome as it highlights some of the capital's best in a very affordable and easy to use package (especially the family rate we used). For $75 we visited, as a family 8 great attractions. No fussing with money in line-ups, just the ticket and straight in. Wonderful as far as we were concerned!!! For planning, we visited the highlighted attractions from the passport in clumps which were physically situated next to each other... less travel time and more museum time!!! Worked very well.

Royal Canadian Mint - Parking back at the Marriott, we then headed for our first museum visit of the trip... the Mint located five minutes walking from our accommodations. We'd arranged tour reservations prior to our visit for 1:00 PM and were greeted and started the tour, by a very capable Marie-Andree, on time. The tour basically takes the visitors, step-by-step, through the coin making process. You get to view the production floor as well as learn through video and the guide. She was great with the kids and responded to all questions. The Ottawa mint doesn't make coins for regular circulation, but creates specialty items such as medallions (ie Olympic) and collector coins. At the end of the visit (which ends in the mint store) everyone is afforded the opportunity to lift a gold bar which the kids very much enjoyed. The tour lasted close to an hour and was just long enough for the kids. Well worth the visit just for the gold bar at the end.

National Gallery of Canada (NGC) - My first visit here in over 15 years... not particularly how I remembered it either. We arrived after a couple minute stroll from the mint and Jane quickly found the "kids services" area to gather an activity or two to help the kids stay focused. Meanwhile we all headed for the top floor and worked our way through the exhibits. Among the highlights for the adults were the Group of Seven works, the European Art Collection and reacquainting with several of the contemporary works (ie Wall of Fire). Also found was a Jackson Pollock piece, which have been much watched for among the galleries I've visited. The kids enjoyed the "black box" activity (a touch activity of objects included in a painting) as well as question and answer selections connected to specific kid friendly works. All in all, we had a solid visit in an architecturally fantastic building.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Ottawa - Across from "Mamma" (the big spider located in front of the NGC) is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Ottawa. In our travels we've made a real effort to visit churches of all denomination along the way, sometimes just to see the architecture but often staying for mass and listening to choirs and pipe organs. The inside of this Basilica didn't disappoint, and we managed to keep the kids settled long enough to sit and take a few pictures. Beautiful building that would be a pleasure to go to mass to on Sundays just for the sheer elegance.

Byward Market -On Day Two we "gathered" supper in the Byward Market. Nothing too fancy, we just tried to cater to everyone's request. As for Jane and I, we agreed upon having a deli-style supper including double Gloucester cheese, crackers, grapes and some Hungarian salami washed down with red wine. The kids "feasted" on what seems to be an Ottawa late night drinking delicacy... the legendary "Beaver Tails". This healthy supper snack consists of whole-wheat pastries stretched to the shape of a beaver's tail and "float-cooked" in 100% pure soy or canola oil... Peter's and Monica's covered in nutella and Reese's Pieces!!! Hmm... that's a supper! A true taste of Ottawa!

National Arts Centre (NAC) - Online I happened into an event scheduled for the NAC on Day Two which was show casing the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Kate dropped by and picked up concert tickets (free) and we headed at about 6:30 pm for the 7:30 show. After a somewhat confusing line-up, we all made our way into Southam Hall and sat comfortably for introductions and some information in regards to the program. It may have, unfortunately, been too comfy, as shortly after the lights dimmed we lost Monica who slipped into a deep "snoring" sleep. We did manage to hold on for the first half of the program and the orchestra was excellent. We thought it would be great for Peter to see the young people performing (Peter is beginning flute in his school band). It was truly engaging as our opportunities to see any symphony are limited where we live in Nova Scotia. The seats and music were simply appreciated.

Thus, after a busy first day in the city, we had a quick evening dip in the pool and off to bed.