Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Lake country
Canada has real lakes (lots of them) not those wussy reservoirs that are empty half the year. Here are some of them. 1: Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. 2. Kalamalka Lake and our lovely campground. (I have a dozen photos of this lake) 3. Lake Okanogan through the vines. 4. Lake Osoyos from the peninsula that is Haynes Point Park.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Kettle Valley Railroad Trail
We had to do a ride on this famous rails to trails route but it was tough going--big rocks and loose gravel--not my kind of biking. Still made it 5 miles up the trail. Awesome views of Lake Okanogan.
Searching for Perfect Campgrounds
Lake Louise was a wonderful campground and we thoroughly enjoyed our 2 nights there. Leaving Lake Louise we went through rain and cold and stopped overnight in a muddy KOA which was not a hit with me. But heading south again we found Kekuli Provincial Park on Lake Kalamalka which was about as idyllic a spot as we could imagine. In fact we stayed here an extra day to do nothing but enjoy the spot. Each campsite had a superb view of the lake and the sites were large although not totally private. There was no water, electric or sewer dump but we did just fine here. Luckily our daughter had warned us about BC (bring cash) as sites are $24 a night CASH only. Also—who put poison ivy in BC—we thought it was only an east coast thing. Luckily there were lots of warning signs. Our next night we landed late at Okanagan Lake Provincial Park—not the north one which Kirsten recommended (it was closed) but the south one where people are packed in like pancakes. We had to try 4 sites to find a flat one but we had a good night here—voted best showers in a public park by me. We had a nice spot and despite the crowds it was a quiet campground. So today we tootled south (incl. a bike riding detour) to Oliver where there was a highly rated RV park with laundry and full hookups (both important to us at this stage). It turned out to be a cement parking lot with no redeeming qualities. We tried one more north of town and finally found a secret paradise on a little lake—lots of shade, laundry, WiFi, and all for $16 a night. The best Canadian bargain we’ve found. Time to check the laundry and do dinner. PS: A great horned owl comes down and poses for photos at sunset.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Photos
Biking to Lake Louise--and a view of Ida in the trees and across the river.
Update
Fort Steele
Our first BC adventure was Fort Steele—one of those restored pioneer villages—we’ve seen lots on our travels. Fort Steele was a real RCMP Fort. The town built around a ferry across the Kootenay River. Many of the building are real. Some are “imported”. We were off season so some buildings were closed and there weren’t many “interpreters” but the price was good and we had a good time though it was very HOT (90’s). Then we settled into an RV campground which we loved.
Canadian National Parks (whirlwind tour)
From Fort Steele we drove to Radium Hot Springs—with a side trip/shopping trip to Invermere, one of those touristy towns on a lake. Could find no reason to stop in Radium so bought a Nat. Parks Day Pass ($$$) ( No bargain passes here—and you have to be 65 to be a senior.) Drove up the highway through Kootenay NP with a few stops along the way. Arrived at Lake Louise (in Alberta and in a different time zone) and got a spot for 2 nights. ($$$ but we did get electricity and a nice view of the river) It was wonderful to have a no-drive day. In the morning we went on a loop trail around the Bow River and into the village.(almost 5 mi). In the afternoon we rode our bikes up to Lake Louise—on the tram trail—all uphill. A minute car ride took an hour and a half but was much faster coming down. So we sat with the tourists and oohed at the view and then turned around.
Lake Louise is in Banff Nat. Park by the way. We could see no reason to go to Banff the town. Another aside—of all the motorhomes, etc. in the campground at Lake Louise—we figure 75% or more were rentals.
Saturday morning we went to Yoho Nat. Park and had a wonderful hike around Emerald Lake. Lots of tourists but they mostly stay close to their vehicles. The weather was perfect—sunshine on the lake. By the time we got back to Ida, the clouds had rolled in. By the time we were headed out towards Glacier NP (the Canadian one) it was raining. There weren’t many places to stop and the one campground was full so we kept on driving to Revelstoke—and now we are at a KOA ($$$) because I was tired of travel. We gained back our lost hour which makes a long day.
Our first BC adventure was Fort Steele—one of those restored pioneer villages—we’ve seen lots on our travels. Fort Steele was a real RCMP Fort. The town built around a ferry across the Kootenay River. Many of the building are real. Some are “imported”. We were off season so some buildings were closed and there weren’t many “interpreters” but the price was good and we had a good time though it was very HOT (90’s). Then we settled into an RV campground which we loved.
Canadian National Parks (whirlwind tour)
From Fort Steele we drove to Radium Hot Springs—with a side trip/shopping trip to Invermere, one of those touristy towns on a lake. Could find no reason to stop in Radium so bought a Nat. Parks Day Pass ($$$) ( No bargain passes here—and you have to be 65 to be a senior.) Drove up the highway through Kootenay NP with a few stops along the way. Arrived at Lake Louise (in Alberta and in a different time zone) and got a spot for 2 nights. ($$$ but we did get electricity and a nice view of the river) It was wonderful to have a no-drive day. In the morning we went on a loop trail around the Bow River and into the village.(almost 5 mi). In the afternoon we rode our bikes up to Lake Louise—on the tram trail—all uphill. A minute car ride took an hour and a half but was much faster coming down. So we sat with the tourists and oohed at the view and then turned around.
Lake Louise is in Banff Nat. Park by the way. We could see no reason to go to Banff the town. Another aside—of all the motorhomes, etc. in the campground at Lake Louise—we figure 75% or more were rentals.
Saturday morning we went to Yoho Nat. Park and had a wonderful hike around Emerald Lake. Lots of tourists but they mostly stay close to their vehicles. The weather was perfect—sunshine on the lake. By the time we got back to Ida, the clouds had rolled in. By the time we were headed out towards Glacier NP (the Canadian one) it was raining. There weren’t many places to stop and the one campground was full so we kept on driving to Revelstoke—and now we are at a KOA ($$$) because I was tired of travel. We gained back our lost hour which makes a long day.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Two long days
Two Long Days
Who would know it would take us so long to get to BC. After two 6 hour driving days we are now within a few hours of the border. Monday we left Millis and drove back roads north and east through Oregon. The country was lovely but largely devoid of human habitation. Finally we crossed into Washington and spent the night in Walla Walla. Tuesday we drove through the Palousse (one of the tidiest places we have ever been—every farm yard was neat as a pin), into Idaho and north through Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. We found this small new resort by a lake—the owners used to work at Pioneer Trails in Anacortes.
I have lately begun collecting the mottos/ slogans of small towns. My favorites so far:
Long Creek (one shabby café and a PO) “Brigadoon of the Blue mountains” and Ponderay (yes, it’s spelled that way) “Little Guy with a Big Future”.
Who would know it would take us so long to get to BC. After two 6 hour driving days we are now within a few hours of the border. Monday we left Millis and drove back roads north and east through Oregon. The country was lovely but largely devoid of human habitation. Finally we crossed into Washington and spent the night in Walla Walla. Tuesday we drove through the Palousse (one of the tidiest places we have ever been—every farm yard was neat as a pin), into Idaho and north through Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. We found this small new resort by a lake—the owners used to work at Pioneer Trails in Anacortes.
I have lately begun collecting the mottos/ slogans of small towns. My favorites so far:
Long Creek (one shabby café and a PO) “Brigadoon of the Blue mountains” and Ponderay (yes, it’s spelled that way) “Little Guy with a Big Future”.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Heading south to go north
We had to make a trip to Oregon for my family reunion at River Bend County Park near Sweet Home. (Sept12) Nice time. Now we are at Kit's sister's in Powell Butte and tomorrow we head north. We plan to spend several weeks traveling in BC. News may be sparse depending on when and if we find wireless internet.
