Hi guys! I’m sky-blogging this morning en route to Ottawa! (This post will be published once I land and have internet access again.)
I will be in Canada through Thursday evening on a press trip and I am ridiculously excited because it’s an adrenaline-themed press trip that’s packed with outdoor activities like zip lining. The itinerary is non-stop and full of adventure. I’ll be sure to take you guys along for the ride and blog about everything whenever I have a free minute.
Travel to Ottawa
My alarm went off at 4 a.m. this morning and I headed to the airport half-asleep to board the first flight out to New Jersey.
Even though my flight took off on time and had no issues, my travels got off to a rocky start yesterday. I completely forgot to pack my passport and didn’t realize it until after I drove two hours to Jacksonville where I planned the spend the night at my parents’ place to avoid waking up before 3 a.m. to drive to the Jacksonville airport this morning. Thankfully Ryan was a total sweetheart and met me halfway between Ocala and Jacksonville with my passport last night. What a guy! He even brought Sadie along for a little fieldtrip, so I got to say goodbye to both of them again. I miss those two already!
My first flight to New Jersey went well and I did my best to sleep even though I was a little restless. I always get so amped up whenever I travel and have a hard time sleeping on the flight out. I just want to get the fun started!
I had a layover in New Jersey and spent 10 minutes or so in the bathroom doing my makeup because I’m oh so classy.
I wasn’t the only one with this plan. There were three other women doing the same thing and we joked that the small bathroom was the Newark Airport Salon. I am always in awe of the people who come to the airport at 5 a.m. looking glamorous with their make up done and their hair curled. I look like a train wreck.
Speaking of makeup, have any of you guys tried this lip color?
It’s Josie Maran magic marker lip stain and it’s fabulous.
It was sent to me a while ago by FabFitFun in a beauty box and I immediately loved it. I thought I lost it months ago, but when I was packing up my makeup for this trip yesterday morning, I found it again. Hooray!
Breakfast
Once I was done freshening up, I walked out into the terminal to find breakfast. The options were rather slim, so I bought a whole wheat bagel topped with cream cheese.
Would you like a bagel with that cream cheese? Yeesh! I like cream cheese as much as the next girl but ended up scraping some of it off because I’m willing to wager that whoever topped that bagel used an entire tub of cream cheese.
Now it’s time to turn off the computer. I have about 30 minutes left on this flight before we touch down in Ottawa! I hope you guys have a great Monday and I’ll check back in soon!
Question of the Afternoon
- Have you ever been to Canada?
I’ve been to Canada one time before but I was too young to remember much about the trip. I’m ready to soak it all in this time around!
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Every single day :). Enjoy your trip!
Ottawa! I lived there for four years and absolutely love that city. I wish I was still living there and I hope I can move back there soon.
Definitely try a beavertail, visit Parliament Hill at night – absolutely stunning, try poutine, and go for a run along the canal, ideally at sunrise.
Have fun!
Yes try a Beavertail while you are in Ottawa. You will not regret it! My favourite is the garlic and cheese! Mmmm! I was born in Ottawa and spent every summer of my childhood there because my grandparents and all my extended family live there. It is a beautiful city. It’s got that small town charm with a capital city vibe and tons of outdoor green space! You will love it. Pay a visit to Byward Market while you are grabbing your beavertail. It’s a nice outdoor market and has some nice dining spots. Hope you enjoy!
Yes! You NEED to try poutine!! Houlihans here in Hershey, PA tried to have it on their menu once. I got it, but there’s no way it compares to eating it in Canada.
My favorite Beaver Tail is the Killaloe Sunrise. I prefer the sweet beaver tails to the savory. Definitely try one!
Welcome to Canada! Now you are in my neighbourhood! Well, 5 hours away, but by Canadian geographical standards thats really not all that far! I hope you love Ottawa, it is a beautiful city with tons to see and do. And coincidentally, I will be in Florida in two weeks!
I live in Ottawa presently and it’s fantastic! Very green and outdoorsy. Hope you enjoy your trip and take in the sights 🙂
Have fun in Canada, I can’t wait to hear more about your international adventure.
That totally sounds like a New Jersey airport haha high maintenance bathrooms and overloaded bagels. But ya gotta love Jersey, home sweet home! Have fun in Canada!
I absolutely LOVE canada! My brother in law is also canadian and just loves it there. It’s a great place 🙂 You’ll have so much fun!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me
I’m actually in Ottawa right now visiting my family! I grew up here but have been living I California for the past couple of years. It’s so nice here but I’m 100% acclimated to warmer weather and haven’t been able to feel my toes for the past two days! 😉 Enjoy Ottawa!
I lived in Ottawa for a year back in the 90s and have worked for two companies based in Ottawa, so I get there frequently. Enjoy your trip. Be sure to check out the canal, Parliament Hill, and Dow’s Lake.
I live in Ottawa! It’s been a bit chilly these past few days, so stay warm and enjoy it! Go to Byward Market, Parliment Hill and make sure you try a Beaver Tail!
Living in North Dakota, Canada is right next door! (About a 2 hour drive.) We’d take field trips to the Manitoba Zoo back in school, have fast pitch & hockey tournaments with them, etc… Good memories!
Welcome to Canada! I live an hour west of Ottawa in Perth. Enjoy a run along the Canal and you would love the fall colours in the Gatineau Hills!
Ottawa is my hometown!! Welcome to it! It sounds like you’ll also be heading into parts of Quebec – especially if part of your trip includes zip lining (which is amazing!). If nothing else try and get a walk in around the parliament buildings at night, and a run along the canal, and Ottawa parkway in the morning:) you’ll be sure to love the views!
I’ve not been to Canada. Someday I would love to visit Quebec and/or Vancouver.
Yikes, I would have had a panic attack forgetting my passport. Good thing Ryan must have a big soft spot for you! 🙂
I AM FROM OTTAWA! So excited that you’re here!!! It’s a beautiful city, I hope you have to explore all of the downtown.
Most places in and around NYC use that much cream cheese. My husband always asks for “just a small amount” and it is still like have the tub!
Hehe I’m FROM Canada! And not too far from where you are – about a 5 hour drive from Ottawa. I hope you’re having a wonderful time here so far. It’s a little chillier than what you’re used to, but I’m sure you probably anticipated that. Can’t wait to see what else you get up to!
Omg I’m so excited you’re coming here; I live in Ottawa!! And I’m eating overnight oats as we speak haha (well, type). I second everything that other people recommended. Since you love running when you’re in a new city, you will love Ottawa especially now with the beautiful fall colours. There’s a path right around Parliament and along the river. And I went ziplining and bungee jumping at a place in Quebec a few years ago, I wonder if that’s where you’re going (it was over a man-made lagoon). Have fun here! 🙂
Canada? Nope. Newark airport? Yes! Jersey girl born and raised. Yes, unfortunately the airport can have some slim pickins as far as food options (depends on the terminal). Have fun in Canada.
Welcome to Canada! I imagine you will be zip lining in Gatineau park… If you’re not you should get to the park to see the fall colours! You should definitely go for a run along the canal and up around the parliament buildings. There are some amazing restaurants on Elgin St., and a ton of cute places in the Market area (also close to the parliament buildings).
Don’t forget to drink Tim Hortons!!
I hope you packed some warm clothes. It feels like Florida winter in the mornings here right now!
Welcome to my city 🙂
Welcome to Ontario! I’m about an hour and half outside of Ottawa, in Kingston. This is such a beautiful time of year to come visit. If you have time, check out Parliament, Byward Market, the Canal, and definitely eat a poutine and a beavertail!
Hi and welcome to Ottawa!
Even though it’s chilly out today, at least the sun is shining bright!
If you are looking for places to eat and drink, here are my favourites: PLAY, in the Byward Market for a nice dining experience – think tapas and wine pairings. The Heart and Crown is always a fun place to go for a beer – it’s an Irish style pub in the Market.
And yes, definitely take a run along the canal and walk all around the Parliament buildings for great views of the Gatineau, Quebec.
I’ve also been zip lining and really loved it, I think you’ll have a blast!
xo
Ive been to Montreal and Quebec City and loved them both! Have a blast!!
I have traveled all over Canada throughout my life. Some of my favorites are Banff, Vancouver and Victoria, BC. Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
I’m from Canada too! Calgary though…only a two-day drive West from where you’ll be. :0) The classic here is the Tim’s double double…but my favorite is the Walnut Crunch from Tim Hortons. Or the Canadian Maple donut. Have a good trip!
Woohoo cowtown! Nice to see I’m not the only one here.
We’ve been snowmobiling in Canada! Love it there!!! Try some poutin while you’re there! It’s ahhhhh-may-zingggggg!! And it never tastes quite as good when other non-Canadians try to replicate it. 🙂
That is a very NYC (tri state area) amount of cream cheese! I live in NYC and I always extremely disappointed when I get a bagel elsewhere and there isn’t enough cream cheese although I will admit sometimes places go a bit overboard!
Ha! I thought that was an egg before you said cream cheese. Gah! Talk about airport portions…Have fun in Canada! Never been but heard it’s pretty cool
Im obsessed with canada. I feel like america is going to kick me out for saying that but its so beautiful and everyone is so nice!
Oh my gosh, I LIVE IN OTTAWA!!! So excited for you to see our beautiful city 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about your itinerary!
Never been to Canada, but I really want to go to Montreal, the Paris of North America!
Welcome to Canada! Hope you have a great time 🙂
Canada sounds like it’s going to be so much fun! I went to Quebec a long time ago and loved it 🙂
I’ve lived in and loved Canada for my whole life!! I’m currently living in Calgary, Alberta and the Rocky Mountains are GORGEOUS here in the Fall!! I think you should add them to your travel bucket list 😉
Welcome to Canada!! I hope you enjoy your trip:)
I live in northwestern PA so canada is a hop & a skip away. i’ve been to niagara falls, toronto, and kingston. would love to visit quebec and vancouver someday!
I live in Ottawa as well…you do have to try a beavertail and a poutine with curds but not quite on the ‘clean eating alley’…..but sooo good!
Have a nice trip!!!
I’m from Michigan so we went to Canada a lot because you can drink there when you are 19 🙂
Welcome to Ottawa! I’ve lived here pretty much my entire life and it is a beautiful city. It has been mentioned before but I had to reiterate….. you must splurge and try a poutine. My personal favourite is from the Elgin Street Diner but most places have an ok poutine. Just make sure it’s with curds and not grated cheese!
Have fun in Ottawa! I am in Montreal about 2 hours away!
Welcome! Im partial to my city of Montreal, but Ottawa is really great also any time i`ve visited, enjoy!!
I am a French Canadian girl!! And I loooove Canada!
Julie, where did you take you luggages (the yellow one AND the reebok crossfit one wiche I love!) ?
SO fun! I live in Toronto, Canada. You should come visit us someday too 🙂 and also Vancouver! You would absolutely LOVE Vancouver – it’s an amazing, active city with beaches and mountains and ocean at every turn. I digress…
Have an incredible time in Ottawa and enjoy all the fall colours! (See, we even spell “colour” differently heheh)
Oh wow…I love cream cheese, too. Not the entire tub in one sitting. Yuck.
Have a great trip!
I had one of those ‘duh’ moments today when I read this and realized with shock that a large percentage of the country isn’t neighbors with Canada! Living in Seattle, Canada is an easy go-to for a close-to-home vacation. Reading some people’s comments, though, I realize that proximity has made me take Canada for granted and now I have an urge to go north and try some new things and see some new Canadian places 😀