Just like that, overnight, someone switched the heat on and we went from freezing to sweating. Or more exactly, from single-digit temperatures to a balmy 27°C. Welcome to Ottawa, where spring is a two-day transition between winter and summer!

After I rushed to the store to buy a pair of shorts and sandals (what? It’s hot!), we decided to head out and enjoy the winter—much like any hermit family would do after a five-month-long winter. We ended up in Gatineau, in Québec, by the Museum of Civilizations—a place I hadn’t been to since fall. Actually, this was my last set of pictures before I gave birth to Mark, a few taken just four days before he was born!

The paths around the Museum of Civilization offer an amazingly scenic view of the Ottawa River and the skyline of Ottawa, including Parliament Hill and the downtown core. The water level is very high right now and the shores are a bit flooded but nothing dramatic, and the geese seem to enjoy the “playground.”

Isn’t Canada a beautiful place? Even after ten years in Ottawa, the region still amazes me. We are truly lucky!

Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa Skyline
Alexandra Bridge
Alexandra Bridge
The Hill and Château Laurier
The Hill and Château Laurier
Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa Skyline
The Hill
The Hill
Family Portrait
Family Portrait
Museum of Civilization
Museum of Civilization
Alexandra Bridge
Alexandra Bridge
Ottawa Skyline and the Ottawa River
Ottawa Skyline and the Ottawa River
Curious Goose
Curious Goose
Flooded
Flooded
The Hill
The Hill
The Hill
The Hill
Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa River
Ottawa River
Ottawa Skyline
Ottawa Skyline
Along The Ottawa River
Along The Ottawa River
Ottawa River and the Hill
Ottawa River and the Hill
Ottawa River
Ottawa River

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19 Comments

  1. Holly Nelson May 6, 2013 at 8:25 am

    He he, your goose pic is like my goose pic! Wonderful pictures, so gorgeous! Isn’t this weather so amazing – I can’t believe we live here, it is like being on holiday in a hot country all summer long!!

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 10:18 am

      I know! Especially after the long winter, so sudden!

      Reply
  2. La Madame May 6, 2013 at 9:01 am

    Wow, magnifiques tes photos Zhu! 🙂 Et puis avec le ti bonhommes en plus, qu’est-ce qu’il grandit! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 10:19 am

      Merci! Eh oui… ils grandissent vite, les flos!

      Reply
  3. Klaus May 6, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Thank you so much for the pictures, they bring back good memories :). Ottawa indeed is a beautiful place. I remember I was once standing in front of the parliament building, facing away from it. There was another building with a huge modern glass front reflecting the parliament building. I like these opposites, it looks just great.

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 10:19 am

      I know exactly what building you are talking about, the Industry Canada building 😉 I took pictures of the reflection many many times!

      Reply
  4. Cecille May 6, 2013 at 10:45 am

    It is so funny but true..spring is a 2-day transition to summer haha!
    Anyway these are great photos! I wish I could go to Ottawa this summer season.

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 11:14 am

      Ottawa is well worth visiting… do it when you get the chance!

      Reply
  5. Katherina May 6, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Wow, the skyline of Ottawa is really beautiful… I really have to make it across the pond some time!

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      You should! Ottawa is a beautiful place, really.

      Reply
  6. Lily May 6, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    It was indeed very sudden… I was wondering if the tulips would be ready for the tulip festival, that started this week, and thanks to last (warm) week, they are!
    It’s actually a bit too hot for me… I’m ok with 20°C “only” for a few more weeks 😀

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 4:55 pm

      I will probably go have a look at the tulips this week. I just wanted to avoid the crowd last WE!

      Reply
  7. shionge May 6, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    You looked great!!!!

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Awww, thank you!

      Reply
  8. Dennation May 6, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    These are great pictures Zhu! Ottawa really is a great place to live – these pictures have me feeling nostalgic.

    When I was growing up in Canada winter used to come earlier and leave sooner. Spring came sooner and actually lasted a few weeks. Now there is more humidity during the summertime and spring is so short.

    From the looks of your pictures, we can say that spring took early leave and now it’s summer!

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 6, 2013 at 9:00 pm

      You are right, it feels like summer rather than spring! It’s not humid like in the summer though, it’s dry and guess what… no mosquitoes yet! 😉

      Reply
  9. Jeruen May 7, 2013 at 3:20 am

    27 degrees! That feels so sudden! Here in Berlin the weather is taking its sweet time going up the mercury. Right now, the forecast says it’ll just go up to 23, so it’s not that hot at all.

    And I saw your last pre-birth photo; I guess I just don’t know a lot about pregnant women and how they look, but that doesn’t look like you’re about to give birth!

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 7, 2013 at 10:13 am

      And it’s not just one random hot day… it’s been glorious for a week now! Finally!

      I know, Mark didn’t show much, when I look back I didn’t look that huge–but I felt huge 😆

      Reply
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