south of Revelstoke, BC

Blanket Creek Provincial Park

Site #8 - $25, n/s, some cell

Temp 19C

Wednesday - Another day and another short ferry ride back across Arrow Lakes. Our stop? Blanket Creek Prov Park, 24 km south of Revelstoke. This is such a beautiful forested area along the Columbia River/Arrow Lake. We spent time here 2007 and loved it then. The park was originally the site of a Russian immigrant homestead. A stone wall plus a few of the stone columns remain standing in a picnic area.

Swimming Lagoon

There is a warm man-made swimming lagoon and a short hike takes you to the scenic Sutherland Falls. Beauty.

Ron went back to the 'wood spot' he had found last visit and got enough wood for a couple days. Then he went back for more, got caught by the warden, got heck and came home empty handed. So ridiculous. These are stumps that the park gathers and burns to destroy. BUT, you must 'buy wood or bring your own'. So Ron waited until the warden left and went back again. Yes, bad.

The warm evenings meant we could sit out late around the fire. There were only a handful of campers the first two nights and the quiet was amazing. It seemed like just us and the birds. Lots of hummingbirds zipping through our campsite. Very cool!

The number of campers doubled on Friday and there was an increase in the noise level.

On Friday, we made a trip to Revelstoke for a few necessities - a.k.a vodka, rye and beer.  Well, we did get a few groceries also.    :)

Arrow Lake, Blanket Creek Pk

Mr Tree



Anyway, good times, great weather. Last night was night 3 and as of yet, we haven't made the decision whether to stay or go. We are dry camping (no power or water hookups), but our water and battery power have held up nicely.


When there is no power!

Our Nakusp visit

Nakusp Municipal Campground
Site #3 - $27 p only, wifi iffy
Temp 14C

When we left the Gold Panner campground there was a cop car and an ambulance at the entrance.  They were checking out a hitchhiker who was found sleeping in the campground washroom.  He was 31 years old, had no permanent address, appeared somewhat disorientated and had an injured arm. We wondered his story - how he ended up there miles from town and what would become of him. Sad.

We continued our travels through the Monashee Pass and took the Needles ferry across Arrow Lakes.

We spent two nights in the Nakusp Municipal Campground.  Even though it is in the centre of town, the park is among huge cedars and pines and one has the sense they are camping in the country.  It was raining both mornings.  We did a short driving tour to check out MacDonald Prov. Pk. They have added some electric sites which is unusual for BC Prov Parks but the sites are narrow and crammed together. Disappointing. We would certainly stay in their large unserviced and much more private sites though. After lunch the rain stopped and we enjoyed our afternoon wood fires and our bike rides along the lake and through town.

The flowers in the parks were incredible!

Wednesday morning we left Nakusp in the sunshine and headed north along Arrow Lakes.

Gold Mining and Cherryville

Goldpanners Campground
Site #6 - $40 cash, p/w/s

On Friday we drove the twisting Hwy 6 through the picturesque farming communities of Lumby and Cherryville to the Goldpanner Campground just beyond Cherryville.

 Three days later, we are still here.  We had camped here previously in 2001 and 2004. Not much has changed except for the owners. This young couple from Czechoslovakia (Jiri & Kate) has been here for the past 3 years.  The biggest shock for us?? It was a beautiful hot weekend in May and the campground is almost empty.

Ron's been for a couple of short hikes along the creek where the old gold mining equipment is still on display.

He's managed to collect enough firewood to keep our fire burning late in to the evening.  Did I mention that the weather was awesome.

On Saturday, Jeff and the kids made the hour drive from Vernon for lunch and spent the afternoon with us.

Good times crawling on the old tractors,

Jumping on the trampoline and painting rocks.



Kicking a ball and doing a little hiking.

Plus, the all time favourite, the playground swings.  It was great to have an unexpected extra day with them.

Sunday was cloudy and cooler so we opted for a truck tour.  We took a back road to Lumby, stumbled across beautiful Echo Lake and got to see more of that pretty countryside.

We started an afternoon fire, but alas, a little thunderstorm appeared and now we are inside. Because rain.

Monday we will take the Needles ferry to Nakusp.

Showing "Rain" on Sunday :(

Kelowna . . . HOT

Orchard Valley RV
Site #1 - $47 p/w/s, wifi (orchardvalley/apples)

Very hot!  No complaints, one just needs to find the shade. We enjoyed a meal and visits with Doug, Rina, Ryley, Remy and Shayne (the boyfriend!)

sweet couple!

Remy was hit by a car while crossing the street just over a week ago and her scars are healing but she still experiences some dizziness and soreness. Yikes, it could have been so much worse.

Ryley continues to re-build his jeep. Also, this is his Grade 12 grad year!

A handsome lad and his pretty Swiss gal, Lucie

Doug and Rina keep busy with work and their ongoing house and rental property upgrades.  Their new fence looks great!

Yesterday, Ron and I biked the Mission Creek parkway.  We have done this many times before and never tire of it. Such a beautiful ride.

beer!

We needed a few extra breaks along the way. We should have checked out that Pub at the end of the trail. It did look inviting!  Even a 1% grade in the heat of a hot day makes for a tough pedal!

Back at home that cold beer tasted awesome.

We opted to spend an extra night in Kelowna to stock the fridge. Tomorrow (Friday) we will motor on.

Our plans aren't firmed up, but we won't be heading to Vancouver (or further west) this trip as the Belecs are busy with their Quebec exchange student.  Therefore . . . our next posting and  the locale will be a surprise. For us as well!

Fun times in Vernon

We had a great welcoming party Thursday as we backed in to Jeff and Christal's driveway in Vernon. In the front window, there were big waves and huge smiles from Owen and Christal. An excited dog was jumping and barking. Sweet little Evelyn stood frozen in her mesmerized state. And Jeff arrived home from work just behind us. It was the start of a great weekend.

It didn't take long for that shyness to subside. We soaked up those big smiles, the giggles, the cuddles, the hugs and the kisses. Lots of fun.



Riding bikes in the driveway.



There were bubbles and baths!





Climbing trees and playing ball in the back yard.





Swimming in the pool.



Stringing beads, reading books, playing with toys plus a little computer time.









Sitting around the new propane firepit.

Christal's parents, Lane and Marg came by for dinner on Saturday night and Richard and Janice joined us later that evening for a visit around the fire. They had stayed an extra day for the Falkland rodeo. Yes, it was a great weekend!

It was sad saying goodbye this morning . . .