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October 1, 2005 - Turkey Roll Success by High Gale
What a day! What an amazing day! Oct 1 2005, 25 skaters took part in the second annual Turkey Roll, more than double last year's registration. The Turkey Roll is all about getting out and enjoying the beautiful city we live in, doing our favourite sport and supporting the Ottawa Food Bank. By all accounts we excelled at all of these objectives and we will be donating over $600 to the Ottawa Food Bank!
Before going any further, on behalf of everyone on the trip, HUGE KUDOS TO OUR HOST RAY VERMETTE! Ray, thank you for looking after us today! What a great guy!
Ok, back to the report ... At 9:30 am, we finished the press pictures and started out. We formed into three packs and took in the beauty along the Ottawa River Pathway. Passing the Inukshuks, we continued downtown and across the Portage Bridge. The views across the bridges on such a fine day were spectacular. We skated beside the Civilization Museaum then crossed the Alexandra Bridge. We then skated under the Spider by the National Gallery (can't wait to see Lyle's photos :-) The view by the Rideau Falls was incredible, then we proceeded down the Rideau River path to Hogsback were we enjoyed well deserved snacks, then followed the Eastern Canal Pathway (with the wind at our back) downtown. With Pascal's suggestion, we skated around the NAC and through Confederation Park to get back to the Western Canal (Thanks Pascal, I will recommend that we amend the route next year!).
I have to tell you that we had a one skater that liasoned between the back pack and the mid pack, making sure everyone was in the pack and falling back to skate with those behind. Daniel, the Flower Guy, very nicely done!
The way back was tough, into the wind, but Daniel led the pack as if there was no wind at all! We were very happy to make it back to the Marina about 3:00pm!
I also have to say there were a couple of mishaps, and Linda, I am so impressed with your ability to continue as if nothing had happended. What a trooper!
Here are my pictures from the day. And some more pictures are here.
Again, HUGE KUDOs to RAY!
Note: The fast group finished about 1:30 pm and enjoyed great conversation and food at the Sailing Club.
