Our excellent adventure: September 2011

Saturday 24 September 2011

Lake Louise and Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier

Walking to toe of Glacier

Still walking

Ken on Glacier

Sandra on Glacier

Ken Lake Louise

Alberta sights

Calgary Olypic Stadium

Calgary background at night from campground

Oil rig

Cascade Cove outside Christina Lake, BC

September 21, 2011

We went walking through the park today Cascade Cove, there is a river at the bottom of the hill, Kettle River which is the bottom of the Cascades Falls. We thought the way they were talking that we would be able to see from here but could not. Spoke to one of the locals who advised us where to go to be able to walk TransCanada trail. There were rickety stairs off the highway leading to a small walking path. Went through bush for a while, could hear them but not see. We then saw some people around the ridge so went a little further. Ken went out a bit more by a ledge and did get some pictures. At this time of year, there is not much of a flow in most of these areas, but the springtime would be awesome. While in the bush, did not see any animals but there was bear scat in a couple of places so we whistled and clapped and made lots of noise (that’s what they say to do).

Did a bit of shopping in town after that and back to the trailer

September 22, 2011

Since it was not far away, we decided to take a day trip to the Okanagan Valley and do a few wine tours, can’t really do that with the rig, too many little roads to drive into. Drove truck to Penticton yesterday and did a bunch of wine tastings at all the wineries, it was fun and had lunch around 2 PM and visited some more wineries and headed home. The country out here is just gorgeous, but the hills are downright scary some of them. We have been lucky enough to find routes that go around mountains and large lakes or rivers; it makes the trip a little longer but much more relaxing. The road we took to the Valley went through a town called Osoyoos, at the very bottom of the valley and in a couple of places (I did take pictures) you were practically turning around on yourself. If it was on a train you would see the back end come back in front of yourself. The view of the town from that angle was amazing. I had the Garmin on for height and it went from 762ft in the valley to 3800 ft. once we got to the top again. We had originally planned to head west the same way but have now decided to take another highway out, 33 and go up to Kelowna and back on to 3 to Chilliwack. That’s the good part about doing the way we did for the trip instead of the back way.

We have been in some pretty high mountains but not quite as steep to get around and down, so far!!!.

It was a full day but well worth the side trip.

September 23, 2011

Stayed home today, Ken wanted to wash bugs off front of trailer and they let him use the power washer, so got to do the whole trailer. Got rid of the Prairies wheat dust and bugs. Spent the rest of the day just hanging out, temperature got up to 30 C so nice day to be outside. Majic Jack to call Sam and kids, did not work very well, not sure if it is the machine or the WIFI, also left VM for John & Judy, and it was garbled. Need to check out more with possibly a hard line.

Met a couple that are staying here the summer and had a chat and sat at fire with them for a while and then we had out nightly crib tournament and to bed.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

BC September 17

September 18^th & 19^th 2011

Left Crowe’s Nest Pass and headed towards Creston, BC. Still very windy but a nice drive; took our time, stopped and made lunch – which we are doing most of the time now. Set up camp late in the day. The next day we went to town the do the Koontenay beer tour, yes this is the home of Kootenay. The one day we decide to do lunch in town, were recommended to a nice little bakery. Now I know why we don’t do lunch - $27.00 for soup and sandwich.. only good thing there were leftovers for that night.

Went through the plant where they showed us the different process from beginning right on down to the lines for bottling (approx. 160,000 a day). There was one of the vats that was 3 stories tall, I do have a picture of Ken beside one of them and no, he does not have a funnel or tap anywhere near him.

Side note to Creston, is that Bountiful is not that far away – if you listen to news, which would be where the Mormon sect has been having some issues.

When we got back, there was a message from Bill and Marlene, who we met in Calgary and we went up to visit them. They house is on the side of the mountain and practically looks down onto the RV park (Pair-A-Dice RV, not a casino). Great location and as they said if earlier, we would have had a great view of the valley. They moved from Sarnia 17 years ago and said was the best thing they could have done. You think I am going on an adventure, the packed up her and the babies and came out here to live, sight unseen.. that was gutsy too.

There are all kinds of wildlife in the area, but we did not see anything, other than one deer on the whole way out.

Had a nice visit and more suggestions for things to do. This is another nice part about the travelling; you meet nice and interesting people along the way. Will keep in touch with them and may meet them somewhere along our travels again.

They did mention a nice trip for the next day, taking the loop up around the Kootenay Lake.

September 20, 2011

Left later in morning and did the loop around 3A, Kootenay Lake. We have been travelling along Hwy 3 all the way from Alberta so that we would take the lowest area through Crowe’s Nest Pass and all kinds of scenery including mountains everywhere. We took the Kootenay Lake fairy across the lake, one of the longest no charge ferry still in existence. The whole road there and back was almost like a roller coaster, speeds went from 100 to 40 in some areas (speed limit west has been about 110 the whole time). We were thinking of heading to Chilliwack when we left, but as the drive was a little longer, just decided to see where we were at 3:00 and make a decision. There were several parks in the area and we decided on Cascade Cove – it is on the Kettle River and there is a Falls not far away.

We also wanted to do some of the Okanogan Valley and wine areas so have decided to stay here for a week, just regroup as we have been travelling pretty much every other day lately. We will do a couple of day trips and that is easier when we are not pulling the truck since we do have lots of time to do it.

Since we also have decent WIFI here, I will update this blog, as well as uploading the rest of the current pictures we have. There are more pictures of everything, but I am trying not to bore you with too many.

I will also put a few trailer park names and ratings out there for those of you with RV’s of some sort.