Day 17 Kamloops BC....a touch of rain today

6098 km travelled
Weather
The BC weather gods decided that we had had enough great weather during our 16 days on the road. They had a conference call this morning and decided that we needed to try out our rain gear.  When one is riding a motorcycle, there is a decision tree process to be followed, such as:
1. if it looks like rain ahead, are we likely to ride through the rain within a few minutes? If in doubt, go to 2
2. is there a place to change into rain gear because one can get wet faster getting off the bike and standing in one place trying to find the gear and then struggling to put it on? if no, go to 3
3. in BC, is there another ferry crossing coming up soon and will there be a chance to change at the ferry stop? if so, just keep on riding.

This morning, we rode to the ferry crossing on the way to Revelstole under threatening clouds with touches of rain. We were able to proceed immedidately on the ferry and behold, we left rain clouds on eastern side of the lake and landed in sunshine on the other side. Later in the afternoon, there were a few more threatening clouds so we put on our rain gear and it worked - no rain. Our ride took us through more magnificent scenery from the Kootenay Lake area to the Revelstoke area to Kamloops, which is equally interesting. We explored the country around Salmon Arm and were equally impressed.
We continue to see landscapes of beautiful lakes, waterfalls, mountains, farms and to smell pine trees, freshly cut tree logs and farm fragrances.

Tubby
After spending 17 days on the road with our trailer, we have now named it "Tubby". Thank goodness we have Tubby with us, as my DH, who is not one to miss a deal, bought 6 packages of pudding cups (4 per pack) at the grocery store and was able to pack them into Tubby.
I, on the over hand, purchased a bottle of locally produced BC wine which we sipped last night after I wrote the blog and before DH inserted the pictures.

Regards to all,
Anne

Packing up again (we were in the yellow cottage)

A visitor came to say goodbye

One of several biker campgrounds along the way

Coming down the mountainside - we saw many of these

Dramatic scenery and great roads (for bikers)

--- bend after bend

A bit like our "Tubby", coming off the ferry

Last off this time

One of many trucks hauling logs - onto the ferry

Another good picnic lunch - after the ferry crossing

First time in the Frog Toggs - but not needed

Different mountains near Kamloops, but still beautiful

Day 16 Kaslo, BC.....a change in direction again

5650 km travelled on 2 wheels plus our tub (aka trailer) for our stuff...
Today, we started out by heading west to Osoyoos and took in the beauty of the mountains, trees, the Okanagan Valley. After speaking to another biker at a gas station, we changed direction from west to north to Kaslo. So far, a great decision.
The drive along the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake was amazing on a motorcycle with lots of turns and fabulous scenery along the lake. Evan says it one of the best roads he has ever ridden. We took the ferry across the Lake and headed north along switchback mountainside roads to Kaslo. Interestingly, BC provides this ferry without charge but their tourist offices charge about $4 for a BC road map.
Kaslo dates back to the late 1800's and many of the buildings from that period of time still exist and are used. Kaslo has the world's oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world which has been restored. It was built in Toronto and shipped west by train. It's a fabulous place for us to stay tonight.
E has added pictures to earlier postings in this blog and he urges you to check them out.
After changing directions for the 2nd day in a row, I'm hesitate to comment where we might be tomorrow.
regards to all,
Anne

Bedded down in Fernie, BC

Riding "through" the mountains

South east BC - on route 3

Another sunny day - and picnic lunch

--- and more icecream

Waiting for the ferry

Riding off the ferry

Mountain switchbacks - with the lake below

Kaslo city hall - built during the mining boom in 1898

The historic passenger steamboat (built in Toronto)

 Fuelling for the next day's ride

Day 15 Fernie, BC

5,328 km travelled:
The last 2 days have been great. We have gone from majestic mountains to rolling foothills to ranch country back to mountains.

Yesterday, we spent time walking the beautiful grounds of the Chateau Lake Louise, walking along the edge of Moraine Lake ( a UNESCO heritage site and on the back of the old $20 dollar bill), hiking into Johnson Canyon (a painting of which can be found in the Bank of Nova Scotia at King and Bay) and driving the Kananskis Trail ( where we saw three grizzlies of which 2 were very busy eating berries and some free range cattle). The road rose to over 7000 feet which is the highest paved road in Canada.

At  Lake Louise

--- beautiful Lake Louise

Another picnic lunch - at Moraine Lake

--- company for lunch

Part of the trail at Johnson Canyon

 The "Hoodoo's" at Banff

The elevation of the highest paved road in Canada  

Two of the grizlies along the road - eating berries

 --- no fences, cattle at large 

Last evening, we drove down several km of gravel road (treacherous for a motorcycle) to spend the night with Tonya, Mike, Owen, Ashlee and their friends, Mike, Carolyn, Christianne, Nathan, Linda and Peter at Etherington Campground. Yes...we spent another night in our tent. This time, we used our rain gear as pillows and slept with our heads in our sleeping bags as the temperatures dropped again.

Owen and Ashlee (our grandkids) are front centre-left 

Another night in our tent

When we started our travels today, we were planning on heading back to Banff and then west after a ride through ranch country. One hour later, after meeting another Venture rider at a gas station near the famous Bar U ranch, we changed plans and headed the other direction and crossed into BC through the Crow's Nest  Pass so we are now in Fernie BC.

--- in ranch country

The historic Bar U ranch - a living museum 

 --- picnic lunch at the Bar U ranch Visitor Centre 

We have had an amazing 15 days of perfect weather .....hopefully, our luck will continue.  

regards to all...
Anne

Day 14 Lake Louise

4789 km travelled
It was a fabulous day for us. We toured the Museum in Jasper and learned a lot more about David Thompson, a major explorer of this vast country. The drive between Jasper and Lake Louise is one of our country's highlights. The mountains reflect majesty and power, the roads are winding and the lakes and rivers are enticing and brilliant in colour. One spectacular vista and after another.
We spent time at the Athabasca Falls. Our pictures do not capture the depth of the canyon, the speed and power of the water or the feel of the water spray.
Later, we took the ice bus to the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia icefields and stood on the glacier. The glacier has lost 70 % of its mass and is expected to disappear in 80 years.
We'll spend time in this area and in Banff today.
Regards to all,
A

First morning of camping - still smiling!

Packing up for another day's ride



Stopping for amazing vistas

Athabasca falls - where you could feel spray and hear it roar 

Some of the falls - see the man on the rock's edge

 

Picnic lunch at Columbia icefields - before our tour 

Fun at Columbia icefields

Driving through the spectacular mountains 

Day 13 Jasper coffee shop

4543 km travelled:
We had a wonderful drive yesterday from Edson to Jasper. Pictures cannot capture the sparkle from the water as it tumbles down a waterfall or the majesty of the mountains or the smell of the trees. We've also seen up close lots of mountain sheep and elk plus a wolf.
Last night, we camped at Whistlers which is just south of Jasper. I learned that it takes my DH lots of time to find the perfect camping spot for me...as often happens with our hotels and restaurants.  An elk laid nearby in the trees about 20 ft from our site, watching us set up our tent. After taking 2 hours to set up and to make phone calls, we drove to Jasper Park Lodge where I had stayed about 30 years ago when I was taking a tax course. This time around, I'm camping. It was quite the experience for us as we did not have all the required camping gear but we made it through the night. The temperature dropped during the night to about 1C and exposed parts such noses were cold. |Overall, it was very good and we met several interesting people while we were there.
Today, after the Jasper museum, we're headed to the Columbia icefields and then Banff.
regards to all,
Anne
PS - We will add to these pictures as soon as we can.

On the road to Jasper

Roadside stop

The source of the Miette hot spring water - at 55degrees 

Another picnic lunch - with company

Stopping traffic

Our campsite - with more company