Night Skating on the Rideau Canal

Ottawa is famous for the Rideau Canal Skateway, which it claims is the largest skating rink in the world at nearly 8 km long. During the winter months, thousands of people skate on the Canal and both residents and tourists love it. Some people even use it to skate to and from work every day they can. Most people skate on the Canal during the daytime, but there were still people there this evening when I checked it out. This photo was taken near the Laurier Street bridge.   

Because it was dark, it was hard to tell how many people were on the ice. Often they would appear in clusters that would then skate away into the darkness. And then others would emerge from the darkness into the light. They were constantly in motion. 

And they were obviously having a lot of fun.  

I walked a little further North and took this picture while standing on the ice. Just as I pressed the button, a skater came flying up beside me and fell on the ice. He can be seen on the right side of the picture. On the left, there are a bunch of small concession stands selling all sorts of appropriate goodies to the skaters.........   

 ........such as hot chocolate.............

..........and Beaver Tails. 

Turning in the other direction, one can see the city skyline, including the Parliament Buildings, looming over the northern limit of the skateway. I am not a skater myself, but I can certainly see the appeal this rink would have for people, especially at night. Something very romantic about people gliding in and out of the darkness like nocturnal creatures in flight.