On the last day of Canada's official mourning period following the death of our late head of state, we visited Chris Hadfield Park to see the 14 flags flying together at half-staff. We found a short path and a bench in the Millennium Garden that we didn't know about, and we thought the area would be a good place for a cache. It's a nice little spot to sit and think, remember, and reflect.
***Please note that when this park was redone in 2023, the garden and bench were removed. The cache has been replaced nearby and coordinates have been updated.***
A few fun facts about the Queen and Canada:
-The office of King/Queen of Canada did not officially exist until the Statute of Westminster was passed in 1931, ending Canada's days as a colony. Since we had only Kings from 1931 until 1952, Queen Elizabeth II was the first person officially titled Queen of Canada.
-Although world history will remember Queen Elizabeth II as Britain's longest reigning monarch (to date), it's a little more complicated here in Canada. She is far and away the longest-reigning monarch "of Canada" but back in our colonial days, King Louis XIV reigned over parts of what is now Canada for about two years longer (though this is further complicated by the fact that Louis's reign included an 8 year Regency period during which his mother was in charge, whereas Elizabeth reigned for herself the whole time).
-Including quick stops, the Queen came to Canada 28 times during her reign (22 if you don't count the pop-ins). She visited every province and territory and is known to have referred to spending time here as "going home to Canada."