Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail…

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.