Fun Shines through Picnic Downpour
August 23, 2005
One picnicker said, “I have been in Ottawa for 21/2years, and this is my first time out of the city”.
A group of 29 participants from Centre 507, along with 5 staff and 2 volunteers, enjoyed the annual outing to Lac Philippe one hot, muggy day this past August.
The group set up at Breton Beach, which has a great swimming area and lovely overarching mature pine trees. Some hardy souls swam before lunch, while others played badminton.
After enjoying barbecued wieners and hamburgers, as well as potato and macaroni salad, picnickers heard what they thought (hoped?) was heavy trucks. Pretty soon, it became clear that a thunderstorm was likely.
When asked whether he wanted to risk the weather and stay, one picnicker said: “Let’s stay as long as we can. I have been in Ottawa for 2 and a half years, and this is my first time out of the city”.
Thunder, lightning and heavy rain ended the trip at 2:30 p.m. Despite the weather, though, this year’s short trip was still a huge success – a chance for community, good food and fresh air.