Fall Colors - 13 OCT 2012

Even though last week's weather interfered with the first planned fall colors ride, the leaves were still in full color. When I was preparing for today's trip I noted it was -2 degrees but sunny. With four layers of clothing on my lower half and six on top, I headed out. Five bikes met around 10:00 AM at Tim Horton's in Ottawa east. After a hot beverage, we started out along the Aviation Parkway, through the Market, past the Parliament Buildings and along the Western Parkway. We crossed the Ottawa River into Quebec and entered the Gatineau Park.
Our first stop, Pink Lake








We continued from Pink Lake along the Parkway to the last stop, Champlain Lookout.
















We shared the road with the other type of bikes




Chaplain Lookout gave us a view of the area towards the Ottawa River with Ontario on the other side of the river.








After admiring the view, we left the park via Old Chelsea and north to Wakefield along the Outaouais River.








Since it is now early afternoon, we had developed a hunger and decieded on the Le Hibou Restaurant.




The sun was strong and the wind was low so we chose to dine el fresco on the patio. It was 10 degrees but comfortable.




While having our lunch, we spotted a potential new member for our Blue Knights chapter. He was wearing a police helmet and had the regulation powder blue jacket so I approached his mommy to discuss the matter.




After a leisurely lunch, we continued a little further north past Edelweiss Ski and Golf Resorts, through Vale de Bois and back to Gatineau. Upon crossing the River into Ottawa, we dispersed to our respective homes. It was a bonus day for this time of the year. The weather was decent and the colored leaves were still plentiful.