My best bud went to college in Canada for two years (at Brock University-St. Catharines). She's also half Canadian, so I visited her a few times and met all of her fabulous new Canadian friends. We all kept in touch even after my friend moved back to the 'states'. For the past three years her old roommate has organized white water rafting trips in Ottawa, for huge groups of her friends. This year we decided we were going to do it! :) It was a fine decision on our part!
Alana the Canadian and I
Getting the Car packed up! Unfortunately, we still don't know who is truly to blame lol. Somehow the trunk broke, so we had a last minute car switcheroo. :) but it was an upgrade because we got AC in the other car which was well received by us Floridians who love our AC. However, Summer in Canada doesn't touch the south. The weather was nice.
Oh Canadiaaaaa! Photo by Alana
Back Seat Life
On the road...for hours
Joshy and I in the backseat. The six hour car ride (both ways!). When I wasn't sleeping I read the second book of the Hunger Games and Joshy read his book, quite productive.
ARRIVAL! :) Great time! Would Definitely raft with them again!
Our Tent City! There was 24 of us!
Yea, that's right we know how to build a tent. yis. Cozy fit for the 4 of us Americans
The tent thing was a big deal for us, clearly :)
She's Canadian she wears it proud!
First day of rafting having stayed up most of the night meeting everyone and having a good time was rough. Had to wake up at 6:50am an ungodly hour based on the night before. Being zombies waking up and getting suited up, knowing freezing water awaited us was difficult but so worth it!
First day of rafting. The Army of rafters valiantly prepared for the best and the worst!
He was prepared.
Every person that was on this rafting trip was so nice and fun-so Canadian! Everyone had a blast rafting the two days.
No trip anywhere-ever. Would be truly complete without a commemorative foot shot.
So it begins....First look of the Ottawa River from the shore..
Ottawa River.. second best rafting in North America. The first being the Colorado River.
Josh, so ready right now!
sooooooo excited to go rafting!
White Water! legggggo!
The first rapid was awesome! Just what we needed to wake up. I love the adrenaline-the unknown, will your raft flip..will it not, you just have to keep paddling and enjoy the ride! But for the record we did not flip on any of the rapids day 1...few can say the same ;P
woop woop, people going down their first rapid!
Bffl water water rafting selfie..not a first!
Vickster, Meg and Jessy!
Wild Rock foot shot!
Getting toasty by the fire inbetween rapids
Water shot! Freeeezing water! But what a rush!
you know, just hanging out in the Ottawa River, could've done it all day errrday
Alana Josh and I
Waiting for certain death to jump off a 20 foot rock!! In the words of the ever wise Van Halen-go ahead and JUMP!
Action Shot! Tom jumping 20 feet off a rock! woop woop. I was a few people behind. Crazy Rush!! Almost chickened out but so glad I didn't!
Day 1 group shot! 15 of us including our guide Lawrence/Laurant!
Josh our super awesome and novice guide the second day! Fast learner for sure!
After the first day of rafting we were all exhausted and sore but we continued our yolo-ing ways and headed to Quebec for some cervezas (drinks are cheaper in Quebec, less tax). Quebec was only a 25 minute drive from the wilderness tours camp but it was already a mini-France, stop signs turned french and the people stopped speaking English. It was like it's own little country. A fun little detour indeed.
150+ foot bungee jump one Wilderness Tours property that our crazyyy awesome friend Josh experienced!
BFFL night out!
Day 1 rafting was rough Day 2 was even worse because it was self-guided. We don't even know the times we went to bed. I thought we might just get flipped the whole day everyone was a hot mess. There was a lot less people for Day 2 self-guided day..None of us were in the mood to paddle, a very basic movement we struggled with on Day 1 even with an experienced guide. Lawrence aka "our fearless leader- guide" got so frustrated because we were ridiculous. If he started talking to us we would stop paddling and stare at him, we simply could not multitask, it was hilarious because it happened the whole day we could not help it. But for Day 2 we had to just get on with our yolo-ing, when's the next time we'll be here? (prob. next year) but we wanted to experience and take advantage of everything we could.
This was also the day that my waterproof camera broke (rip). But it died a yolo-ing camera. I was taking a video of me body surfing through a rapid. It was sooo much fun, but mother nature was just too powerful for my kodak camera (Kingston, was its name). I did some rolls in the waves and when I came up my camera was completely opened and it was too late...but thankfully the memory card survived, these pics are a testament to Kingston-thank you (rip)
The Riverbend. About here is when Joshy/Jessy/Kyle/Alana and I started to belt out Pocahontas disney songs..
Day 2 we had a raft of 5. Apparently smaller rafters went faster but we had to actually paddle a lot, eh. :P
Beautiful! Perfect day! :)
The when you're not getting brusied or falling out of your raft screaming for your life ;), calm Ottawa River.
Our camping/rafting adventure was incredible. We were so grateful for our awesome Canadian bud Vicki for organzing everything. Though, I think two days was my maximum of tent-life. I really do enjoy not walking half a mile for the restroom every time I need to use it or communal showers (no.)
I love the rush I get from rafting and loved making amazing memories with my friends and new friends. I met some wonderful people that are even coming down state-side for some visits soon.
mmhhmm. Poutin! Canadians know how to dress their fries!
Some of our group, going our separate ways! <3 you all (most of ya's ;))!
Next rafting adventure of choice Colorado River!! YIS.
Reunion under le Eiffel Tower, how cinematic;) <3 amazing day
We have a secret..Paris we love you!
amazing aerial view only to be seen atop le eiffel tower :)
If he jumped it would've had a parachute of his jacket!
Yes, it was THAT windy!
The sun was glistening, the water, everything- it was perffffection!!
Conquering Paris!
Jose and Kaylyn :)
Bffls
Some of the group!!
Couldn't believe I was in the Eiffel Tower :) Taking it all in <3
Seine River Cruise :)!!
Under the bridge, the algae water marks are just a reminder to how historic Paris is
The Famed Versailles!!! One of my dreams coming true!!
Alana in the beautiful Hall of Mirrors
My turn :) I was in heaven I ADORE chandelliers :)
The romantic gardens. That day they were actually filming something there. They had actors dressed in Victorian appearing costumes. It was neat.
LOVED the checkered black and white tile. Such an amazzzzing experience. Alana and I almost missed the tour bus to go to Versailles. We somehow managed without knowing any French, waking up late and figuring our way out on their subway system! It was meant to be :)
Mark in awe of the beautiful structure glowing at night :)
Alana and I :)
At night they light up the tower for a bit. It's almost like a light show, with bursts of flashing light. So perfect!
Notre Dame, Quasi moto are you home?
Steve trying to figure out where to go next
I'm in Louvreeeee ;)
Mommy and me about to get our museum on!
Yup we saw her!
Breathtaking art from the floor to the ceiling.
Paris, France- said to be one of the most romantic & magical places on Earth! And I'd have to agree :). The first thing we did was go right to the Eiffel Tower. I didn't bring a phone so I borrowed my friend Adam's to call my mom and see where she was in France (she was there with a friend) and it turns out she was at the Eiffel Tower! It was such a special moment. We ran to each other literally under the Eiffel Tower. It was magic and I had missed her so much because I had been abroad for almost a month at this point, the longest away from her! And to meet up at such a famous landmark it was almost too much!
After our awesome cold windy Eiffel Tower trip we took a Seine river cruise but NOT before trying a deliciously divine nutella crepe (very Parisian) from a crepe stand on the river. Oh my gosh. Best chocolately taste. ever!! Everyone was quite satisfied and nice and full before our river ride:)
I have to say Paris has fascinated me really since I was in high school and learning about the "romantic" "passionate" French anti-monarchic Revolution. And of course you can't learn about that without learning about the magical Versailles King Louis the XVI 16th and Marie Antoinette's residence. I had heard about the famed hall of mirrors and gardens but to see something that you have wanted to see for a while in person was a wonderful experience. Besides those hallmark places of Versailles, Versailles as a whole was so over the top (although it has nothing on Russia's palaces!).
My mom and I went to the Louvre together that was amazinnnggg!! We saw the Mona Lisa (quite small in person btw!) Venus de Milo, Hammurabi's code!! So many iconic figures that have surpassed generations. ahh to go back. I loove museums and so does my momma (where I get my love for learning from). It was a magical day. I'll post more info and pics for Paris part duex..like I how I found my mom in Paris the next day sans French Lang knowledge and a phone :)..
MUST DOs:
-Versailles
-Notre Dame
-Sacred Heart
-Eiffel Tower (at night :)
-Champs elysees
-The Louvre
-Eat a Nutella Crepe
-Have French fries (hehe)
-Buy a beret (i wear mine when I paint for inspiration)
-Go to a cafe and people watch for a night (my mom and I and her friend had the best night doing just that)
-Take a Seine River cruise
-In Nice France. Hang in the square and go to the beach and beware the jellies but enjoy the life!! Definitely more laid back than Paris.
