Day 18 - Salmo to Creston, 80 km, Kootenay Pass Summit 1774m

Funny!

Climbing to the Summit...meter after meter. Gorgeous!

Almost at the top!!! Wow we came up all this way!

Yessssssss, did it! Only one more, much smaller summit to climb until the prairies. The hardest part is done!

This was the view of our "lunch table" on the cement floor behind a gas station of a road maintenance building on the summit. Mmmmmm

Welcome to the agricultural valley of Creston. We had just crossed the bridge and briefly stopped on the highway when a friendly couple caught up to us on their bikes. We started chatting and they promptly invited us to stay at their house. Erich even fixed my flat tire and Kate cooked a delicious pasta-salmon salad. We exchanged travel stories and Erich told us a lot about his touring cycling and globe trotting days. 

After dinner it was off to the ice cream parlour. What a treat that was. 

James, me, Erich and Kate

Tabea, this Crestonite cloud is for you!!!

It seems like we are being haunted by recorder players on this trip. Erich plays Alto recorder and I was able  to even accompany him for him on my free soprano recorder from Greenwood for a few pieces. That was such a pleasant evening. Thank you so much for your hospitality, Erich and Kate. It was so nice to meet you. Definitely stay in touch!

Day 17 - Castlegar to Salmo, 42 km, Bombi Summit 1214m

A friendly man next to the community park in Castlegar let us camp in his back yard. The following morning we went to the park to cook breakfast. On a trip like this I found that I do a lot of things I have never done before.

ANOTHER FIRST: because of the precailing winds, James and I took refuge in the men's bathroom to cook our breakfast this morning. It tasted delicious as always (scrambled eggs with salt, pepper and curry!!!) 

After the meal we decided to have some fun flying kites in the park. I am amazed what items James conjures out of his paniers at random times. Today it was two beautiful kites. So fun!!!

We had the pleasure of visiting my friend and former TESL class mate Marilyn at her place in Castlegar. Thanks for the delicious meal and the stories, Marilyn. It was so great to see you again!!!

On our way up to Bombi Summit. Good bye Castlegar.

Some of a sweaty touring cyclist's favourite road signs!!!

Our two bikes, Bike and Bicyclette, get along very well which makes for a great group dynamic but occasionally they just get fed up with hauling so much weight. Today they unexpectedly took off on us down a runaway lane. It was quite the chase :-) :-)

In Salmo we received a warm welcome by Dominique, my friend Madeleine's father. He made us a delicious dinner and a berry smoothie for dessert. We opted to sleep in the garage to keep the bikes and canoes company. Thanks Dom for the wonderful hospitality!!!

Kootenay Pass Summit 1774m tomorrow......Good night!

Day 16 - Christina Lake to Castlegar 76 km, Paulson Summit 1535m

On our way to up the Paulson Summit. It was a gorgeous ride through a beautiful, lush valley. My legs were a bit hesitant to participate. They were definitely a bit overwhelmed with all the cycling so they were screaming at me for most of the ride. 

James on the Paulson Bridge (kinda hard to see but he is on there)

Congrats partner!!! Well done!!

In Castlegar we stopped on Zuckerberg Island, the former residence of Doukhobor Alexander Zuckerberg. As we were sitting there on the steps of the old, wooden chapel working our way to the bottom of our trail mix bag, we got an unexpected visitor. DL who is a farmer and ski tour guide has been coming to the island on a regular basis for the last several decades to play his recorders. He sat down on a bench and serenaded us for at least an hour. Most pieces were songs from the Salvation Army song book as well as some personal compositions. Except for two songs, all of them ended with the same trill which we were told was our hint to clap. The sun even came out after a while. Thanks DL for the lovely afternoon.

The chapel on the island

No more trail mix, but still hungry.....

Day 15 - Midway to Christina Lake 73 km

We are definitely off to a good start today! Coffee/matcha break at Deadwood Junction Cafe in Greenwood with Jen and James. 

 Historic Greenwood

I lost my harmonica a few days ago but this lovely lady, Norma, had a free recorder to give away so that was awesome. Yay Free Stuff!!!

Jen met up with us again in a park in Grand Forks with her latest acquisition, Aura. Aren't they a good match? Thanks for coming out Jen. 

As we were riding through Grand Forks, a driver pulled over next to us, rolled down his window and asked if we wanted a good free camping tip for Christina Lake. Sure we do! He told us of this spot down by the river not far from the highway so we checked it out and here we are. Beautiful camping spot among the Ponderosas. 

The water was just a few meters away from our camp. Perfect for a swim, sponge bath and laundry. The dead tree branches sticking out of the flooded river made for perfect close racks. This was followed by a fabulous gourmet falafel dinner.

Day 14 - Anarchist Mt. to Midway  59km

Once again a brilliant day!! One last glance of the Okanagan Valley. Goodbye Okanagan, see you in a few months.

When the bike got too uncomfortable another mode of transportation waited for us on the side of the highway. Obviously my horse-back riding skills aren't good enough for Rudolf. James seemed to have more luck. Amazing what a little green treat can do.

 Yeeehaaa!!! Woohoo we made it!

As we were looking for a place to fill our water bottles in Bridesville, Max and Lisa kindly invited us into their home for coffee. They are accomplished musicians and play in a band called "Underpaid Sidemen". Check them out www.youtube.com/use/donlindeman

They serenaded us with one song after another and little Ian provided whatever entertainment he could contribute. Thanks Max and Lisa. It was a pleasure meeting you.

After a super hot afternoon we set up camp just outside of Midway where Jen Hiltz met us with a load of delicious quinoa salad and an amazingly cushy, fuzzy blue chair. Great times!!

 Looking good in the wild!

 

Day 13 - Kaleden to Anarchist Mt. 61 km

(Days 10-12 hanging out at home in Kaleden)

Beautiful ride along Skaha Lake. The Antelopes were in full bloom and the weather gorgeous!

Brief Yoga break on the side of the road in Osoyoos before starting the climb up Anarchist Mt. A relaxed mind is key for such feats! 

View of the Okanagan Valley looking south

Bruce and Connie let us camp in their yard for the night. Very much appreciated!!! 

A First: when about to brush my teeth before going to bed, I was too lazy to get my water bottle to wet my tooth brush so I just poured some wine on it. It was a most delicious teeth brushing session and my first time ever brushing my teeth with wine. I can highly recommend the combination of Colgate toothpaste and Hillside Un-Oaked Pinot Gris 2011. Enjoy!

Day 9 - Princeton to Kaleden, 93km, fantastic tail wind!!!

After a quick breakfast, James and I set out to Hedley along the Old Hedley Rd. It was a gorgeous ride along the Similkameen River. The Saskatoons were in bloom and some balsam roots still adorned a few slopes. 

 James and his trusty steed.

  

Well fed and ready to go. Thanks Hedley Restaurant!

 

A touring cyclists' delight!!!!

 

 

 

The ride from Hedley to Kaleden was literally a breeze. The tail wind was strong and we got to Kaleden shortly after 3 in the afternoon. I invited James to come over for a hot shower and spend a few days with my family.

Day 8 - Dewdney Trailhead Manning Park to Princeton, 98km  and lots of elevation

This morning I left my camp again around 10 am and continued the climb to the Allison Pass summit. It was a gorgeous day but I could not get my energy flowing. Up up up and up and then the head wind picked up too. Ended up pushing my bike up one of the steeper hills when a truck driver drove by, stuck his head out the window, gave me the biggest smile ever, thumbs up and yelled something I could not make out but it totally pumped me up. Back on the bike I go and up up up up up. 

At one point I noticed a cute, brown Black Bear up on the slope beside the highway. It was just ambling around and sniffing the ground. Then it saw me. He stopped dead in his tracks and gave me a puzzled stare. then he moved himself over a bit and plopped himself down behind a little tree. Safely "hidden" behind the branches of the young fir, he eyed me suspiciously. I must have never seen a neon yellow and pink creature on wheels before. As I moved by, he leaned over and followed my movement with his head wondering whatever bears may wonder in situations like that. It was so funny. I could not help but laugh out loud and compliment him for his cuteness. He obviously did not like that because he turned and galloped up the hill. Animals are so entertaining! Again, I missed the photo op.

YYYEEESSS!!!! Made it!!!! 1342 m elevation!

 After Allison Summit, elevation dropped down to about 1000m again only to rise up to just over 1300m again on Sunday Summit. That's not it though. There were two more nice down hill stretches followed by unpleasant climbs. And when I thought Princeton was only a step away there was another hill. Grrrrrrrr. Princeton Booster Juice boosterjuiceboosterjuice...Please don't close before 6. The vision of a nice, cool, refreshing smoothie magically pulled me up and over the hill and down to Princeton, where lo and behold, Booster Juice was still open. Wow, it has never tasted so great!!

 After a quick stop at the grocery store, I found a nice little camping spot on the Similkameen River. Just a little ways over, another touring cyclist had set up his tent. He later came over and we had dinner together. It was great having someone to chat with. His name is James, he is from England and has been on the bike for almost a year. He started in France and headed east through Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia and flew into Vancouver a few weeks ago. Amazing!!!! I am so inspired! 

He is taking the same route to Castlegar as I am so it looks like I will have a buddy for the next week or so. Fantastic!

Bed time. I had a bit of a hard time falling asleep because a little mouse discovered that my inner tent makes for a great climbing gym so it was constantly climbing all over the outside of my inner tent. At one point I saw it sitting right above my head and was afraid it would pee on my face. I reached up and scratched its feet and belly through the mesh. It did not like that at all  but it was back climbing all over the tent within ten minutes.What a mousy night.