Jazz festival

Since moving to Ottawa in January, I have looked for opportunities to get to know the city - it's streets, it's culture, it's people. One way to do this, I thought, was to volunteer at a summer festival or two.

Some people might think it's a crazy idea to volunteer to be a driver for a festival after just moving to a city, but I thought that this would be an excellent way to learn how to get around ... some of the greatest learning opportunities happen when you force yourself to walk out to the very edge and challenge yourself.

OK -it's not quite that tough ... let's face it, Ottawa is well laid out and relatively easy to get around, and my trusty GPS helps when needed, so it's not rocket science.

I have volunteered to work with the transportation end of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and it's awesome. I am learning to navigate the city more and more, and enjoying some fantastic music to boot. One more benefit - meeting the musicians and driving them to and from their hotels to sound checks, the airport, and such. It rocks : )

Yesterday I had the honour of picking up SMV to take them from their hotel to their sound check. Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten are three of the most accomplished base players in the world. I used to listen to Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller, many years ago, late at night on CBC when Ross Porter would play incredible jazz on the radio to the joy and delight of jazz lovers still up in wee hours.

I thought I'd put some classic Grover Washington Jr. on the CD player as we rolled through the downtown to Confederation Park. Stanley and Marcus started talking about the Washington cut playing low in the background, and David Sanborn, and about the whole smooth jazz movement, when it started and the whole scene. It was incredible for me to be there, listening to this. I was in awe of the calibre of talent in the vehicle, and to be within earshot of this conversation ... sweet : )

When we arrived at the park and the gentlemen left the vehicle, Victor shook my hand and thanked me for the ride ... he impressed me as a really warm, generous man who was friendly and down to earth.

Later that evening, Janice and I caught the concert in the park. I had heard the music of Stanley and Marcus over the years, but was unfamiliar with Victor's talents. He was incredible ... truly a world class talent that has the chops to shine with the best of them.

The concert was most excellent, and as we enjoyed the incredible tunes outside in the park that evening, I couldn't help thinking I had stumbled into possibly the best volunteer gig possible.

The festival has just started. Next week I have several more shifts that I look forward to.

I have a feeling that in the years to come, volunteering for this festival will become a regular fixture in the landscape of my summer adventures.

it was a wonderful drive

I was really very lucky ... the weather in this part of Canada in winter can be pretty harsh, but I happened to take my trip at a good time. The roads were clear and dry, the days were sunny ... it was a nice journey.

Yesterday's drive was sweet. I was on the road at 9:00 am and loved the scenery. Around 11:00 am I pulled off the trans - Canada at a small community called Coniston for breakfast. There were two large tables of locals debating current issues over coffee at this older coffee shop ... it's nice to get a taste of the real community.

At about 3:00 pm, at Deep River, my radio started picking up Ottawa FM stations ... I knew that I was not far away. Just before 5:00 I found the traffic getting thicker, and before long I was in downtown Ottawa. I knocked on the door of my baby's hotel room ... when she opened the door I proclaimed "Honey - I'm home!" and enjoyed a hug and a kiss.

I love driving across this beautiful country. I am proud to live among the beauty and warmth of Canada. When I say warmth, I'm talking about the people ...

Janice and I will be here for about another week ... the movers should arrive with our belongings around the 2nd or so.

I look forward to living here. It's a beautiful city, and it is so nice to be with Janice live and in person ... Over the past few months she has been in Ottawa, and I have been in Winnipeg, and we have used the webcam to stay in touch ... Now we can move in to our house and begin a new wonderful chapter in our lives together ...

the last leg of my journey to Ottawa

Monday, January 26th
Segment: Auberge Eldo Inn, Blind River, Ontario to Ottawa, Ontario
Distance: 659.0km (409.5 miles)

I'll be staying with Janice at her downtown hotel for a few days
until we get possession of our house and the movers bring our stuff.

northern Ontario

Driving through the Canadian Shield makes this trip a real joy. The rugged beauty can take your breath away.


On this second day of my journey I found myself taking so many pictures that I probably arrived at my motel ninety minutes later than I intended. I couldn't help it ... I found myself going "wow" and just had to share some of the beauty through pictures.

I took almost 200 pictures today ...
here are ones I thought were worth sharing

day two

Sunday, January 25th

Segment: Nipigon, Ontario to Auberge Eldo Inn, Blind River, Ontario
Distance: 730.6km (454.0 miles)

I'll be staying at The Auberge Eldo Inn