NCC's Fall Rhapsody in full swing
The Ottawa and Gatineau region is one of the best locations in the country to see the fall colours. The National Capital Commission is now running weekend shuttles to Gatineau Park to help with crowd control during Fall Rhapsody.
Cooler weather, along with bright colours everywhere you look in the Gatineau forest. A scene that attracts thousands of visitors including Patti and Jim Leclair from Belfast, Maine.
"We lucked out," Patti says. "We totally lucked out."
And one of the best spots for leaf watching, Champlain Lookout.
"For us in Maine it’s more mountainous," says Jim. “So you don’t actually get the scenic views. Here we can see for miles and miles.”
"Every year, it becomes magnificent again," says Orleans resident Don Collar. "So you never get tired of the creation. And we marvel at it."
Many travel to Gatineau Park for the NCC’S Fall Rhapsody. For the next few weekends, the best way to get to the park is with their free shuttle bus.
"It goes and makes a number of stops throughout the park," says Allison Eagen, NCC Manager Public Programs and Communications. "It’s a hop on, hop off system. So people can just board, get off at the stop of their choice, get back on, go to another stop if they wish. And it runs every 15 to 20 minutes."
Some seeing this colourful view for the first time.
"I think we got it just around the peak time, so it’s really, really nice," says Lee Wah-Shee Anawak. "You can see all the colours popping really nicely. And we couldn’t have picked a better day."
Raven Firth is at Champlain Lookout visiting from Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
"I love most the escape from the city," says Firth. "Because when you’re there it’s like this concrete world. And being able to step out of it an hour away is really nice."
Despite the crowds, the Fall Rhapsody in an annual tradition for many locals.
"Gorgeous as usual," says Jo-Ann Ferguson. "We always come up here this time of year. Beautiful."
PJ Pigeon with owner Julie Vung in Gatineau Park. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)
This view, even spectacular for local Instagram star PJ Pigeon.
"We go everywhere with her," says bird owner Julie Vung. "They’re amazing pets, they’re just like dogs. She just never wanted to go with the wild and ended up coming home every night."
For Patti and Jim Leclair, they say this most likely won't be the last time they visit the Fall Rhapsody.
"We love to explore," says Patti. "We just find everything we can find and usually it’s by accident. This was a big accident that was amazing."
The NCC’s Fall Rhapsody runs until Oct. 23.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in "all public spaces," marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.