Month: October 2015

A short run from Lumby took us into a whole new world of Kamloops. As usual, we took the backroads to our destination, and what a change a few 100km makes. We went from mountainous, twisty and wet, to wide open and dry. Its semi-desert conditions were a strange contrast to the previous few days of travel. What was also strange was meeting up with our friends from Marathon, ON. Cheryl and Pat & Harper Lee (pup) greeted us with open arms and a warm, soft bed. We were wined and dined, and got to spend many days reconnecting with them, and getting to know the Kamloops area. I learned the beer is fantastic, the salmon run was cool, and Harper Lee is the cutest thing ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day Pat suggested an outing to a nearby park to see the salmon run. It’s not a high year, but still pretty amazing to see these overly-large fish trying to fight their way up very shallow streams. We enjoyed the company immensely, and I enjoyed the local beer perhaps a bit too much. Even the vegan cuisine was excellent (thanks Cheryl), although I will say I had this insatiable desire for a hamburger the day we left 😉

With our bikes fully serviced, and the threat of Alberta winter, we finally hit the road once again, heading into British Columbia. Our first taste of mountain travel came with our journey to Cranbrook, where we visited with Eileen O’Reilly (my Aunt-in-law) and her son Dugan. It was great to catch up with them, and reminisce about days gone by. We also got back into the camping lifestyle, staying a few nights at a nearby provincial park. There were no services, but the price was right — ZERO! Except that Ann felt guilty and decided to pay $12 for one night. Silly girl.

 

From Cranbrook we meandered our way up through Creston, across Kootenay Lake via the ferry, heading to Ainsworth area. We were in search of another free provincial park, but found instead this bizarre and wonderful place called Toad Rock. It is billed as a motorcycle campground. The best way to describe the space is old hippy mixed with junk-yard couture. Available spaces includes old school and VW busses, rough shacks, and campsites with old fridges and other junk. We opted for a site in the “back 40”, and settled in for a relaxing night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Hot Spring is a treasured memory from days when we lived in Cranbrook. It’s a natural hot spring that has been developed (of course), but still has some semi natural cave areas. The water is hot and inviting, so we checked into a nearby motel and spent a relaxing day and night lounging in the waters, eating, and sipping wine on our balcony.

After one night of luxury living we were sorely tempted to stay, but weather and the long road beaconed, so off we went, passing through Kaslo, up and over some amazing twisty roads, to Nakusp and then back down Arrow Lake to grab the ferry at Fauquier. We were planning to stop at a campground along the way, but the cold of the road, combined with a bit of rain, made the warm glow of a Lumby motel too inviting to pass up. The night was spent there sipping wine, munching on food we had bought in Kaslo, and planning our leap to Kamloops where we had friends with a warm house awaiting.

Our hosts, and in many ways our protectors and safety blanket, have been Donna and Sam. They have been kind and generous beyond compare, letting us stay at their house in Calgary, and also at their cabin on Beauvais Lake near Pincher Creek. So it was with pleasure that we landed on their doorstep in Cow Town, where we spent a few days sorting ourselves out, cleaning up, and generally getting ready for Ann’s Mother’s memorial service. It was a beautiful event that allowed family and friends to say their final goodbyes to a woman who has meant so much to so many. I miss her deeply…

With the formalities over we settled into the cabin at Beauvais like fleas on a dog. It’s so peaceful and relaxing (and warm and dry…) that we might never have left. We read, paddled and fished,  and had great discussions, covering Life, the Universe and Everything . It was great just hanging out with family, relaxing, and getting ready for our next steps.

 

BTW, I should add that we are now expert hanging ceiling installers. Check out the work! 

 

A few months or so into the journey has us lingering on Vancouver Island as we await our travel insurance to kick in, and hopefully continue to avoid the white fluffy stuff. We left Southern Ontario what seems like years ago, but was really only in August. Since then we’ve driven across the country, encountered winds that could blow a motorcycle laterally across the road, enjoyed the grandest company and generosity of family and friends, and learned that everything looks better from the seat of a bike: even the Prairies.

Northern Ontario was spectacular as ever. We visited with many good friends, including Cathie and Joe who fed us (too well!) and shared their slice of heaven with us once again. Ben, Sherilyn & Olivia, who are generous and fun beyond compare (and who are kindly watching over our few remaining household items), Pat our old (er, I mean previous) neighbour who is holding down the Sandy Beach fort, and our great friends and mentors Paul & Julie who put us up (and put up with us).

Driving across the Prairies was a pleasant surprise. I’ve done it a few times by car, and I’m sorry but it is Capital-B BORING. But from the seat of a bike it was completely different. The smells, the sights, even the curves (yes, there are curves … at least in the secondary roads we took) made the journey quite fun. We found the rare and difficult-to-kiss Prairie Camel,

met some fellow travellers, including Mohamed from Australia (originally from Iran),

who was headed east on his motorcycle, and of course plenty of good eats and food. 

And, I discovered that I look even older than I thought — I was offered the “Senior’s Rate” at a motel in  Swift Current! Ah well, whaddya gonna do … 

 

 

 

We discovered Al Capone’s Hideaway,

Ann’s lake,  and found out that Dog River is real,  but kinda small .

After enduring hurricane-force winds from Swift Current to Alberta, we finally made it to Calgary, into the welcome and safe arms of Donna and Sam. We cleaned up, slept well, and got ready for Ann’s mom’s memorial and the next steps in our journey.