Kikomun Creek Prov Pk - Jaffray, BC

Kikomun Creek Provincial Park

Site #1 - $35. n/s, cell service available

Temp 11C

The last few nights: Camping at it's finest! We enjoyed our stay at this Provincial Park. It's amazing how quiet it was considering it was a weekend. I guess BC peeps aren't as enthusiastic about camping as Albertans. Our parks are usually pretty busy on the weekends. On Friday night there was only us and a young couple in our loop. Although two more units joined us on Sat.





We enjoyed our campfires, however, the nights were a little chilly. The heavy quilt was back on the bed and we were glad to have our catalytic heater burnng through the night. Okay, I admit, I DO miss the power cord a wee bit. Especially in the mornings as I hand pour boiling water through the coffee filter and desperately crave my caffeine fix. And yes, that electric heater and our electric blanket is truly much more efficient!!



                          one of our neighbours

                                        Camp Cook
However, it was an enjoyable stay. No traffic, no trains. We biked and we went on a driving tour through the park. It is large and spread out. We assume it is much busier throughout the summer months. We also drove across the bridge to the other side of this man-made lake - Koocanusa Lake. We were intrigued by a campground there which is full of fulltime, permanent units. We have never seen such a twisted maze crammed with 5th wheels and trailers. Unbelievable. No power on site, so everyone relies on solar panels or generators. I can't even imagine spending my entire summer like that. Sardine city! We were beginning to wonder if we would find our way out of the maze and it would be impossible to give directions to any visitors you may be expecting.

Koocanusa Campsite -- the lake is a little low as shown by docks :)

                      a twisted maze - which way is out??
Sunday was nice and sunny and we debated staying another night. When it started clouding up after lunch, we packed up and hit the road. There were a few sprinkles as we left the park. Good timing.

                              And onward home.

              following the boys through Fort Macleod
It was a shorter than usual spring trip and I was a little sad to arrive home. The 22C weather and the lush green views from our deck soon put a smile on my face. And yes, wine may have been involved. Home does feel pretty good, too. The reason for our short camping trip this spring season? Ron will be heading up to Drayton on Wednesday and then on to Deca Lake for a fishing Trip with his bros.

Truckin' Along

It's Friday. And the good news? We are on the road with the truck and the 5th wheel once again. The bad news? It cost us 1100 bucks to get there. However, there are always the worse case scenarios, so we will be thankful for this.

We were able to remain in our 'reserved' site as the incoming campers were okay with new arrangements. So we made the 2hr drive back to Trail with the loaner car, that little yellow Ford Focus with the stick shift. I was very happy to ditch it. Ron is a wee bit rusty on the clutch. Thankfully, it was mainly highway driving and shifting was minimal.

We navigated the passes with ease. There was pouring rain and then snow/sleet (2C) in the Salmo and Kootenay passes. We purred along to Jaffray and south to Kikomun Creek Provincial Park. No hookups and no internet, so updates and photos will follow later.

Another night at Rock Creek

A Torque Converter. That is our issue with the truck. Or at least that is what they 'think' it is. About a $1,000. fix which is better than another entire transmission, but still . . . 

We are also a bit stressed because this campsite is reserved for tonight. Someone else will have to move us.  And we continue to await the phone call from Trail re our truck.  Did I mention that it is a 2 hr drive there and back?

Ron arrived back at the campsite late afternoon in a loaner car.

but will it pull our 5th wheel???

About this campground and our stay.  At least we weren't stranded on some highway pull off, but this campground is right beside the highway. Noise. All night long. We have a pine tree just a few feet from our door which we sit under for shade (see below). There was blackbird nest at eye level and we were scolded non-stop as we sat there. Man blackbirds are annoying!!  Anyway, one destroyed nest and we are rid of THAT noise!!

mosquito killer and blackbird nest destroyer!

One last thing while I'm in my bitchy complaining mode.  The mosquitoes are horrible right now.  We are surrounded by coils and well sprayed with repellents.  Yes, I will be very happy to be moving on!!

Some of the nicer birds that we enjoyed - Evening Grossbeak

The one thing we can't complain about is that everyone has been wonderful and extremely helpful to us.  From the campground managers to the mechanics. And for that, we are very thankful!

Rock Creek, BC

Kettle River RV Park

Site ? - $30 p/w/s

Temp 24C

I have all kinds of little sayings going through my head today:

     "Between a ROCK and a hard place."

     "Up the CREEK without a paddle."

Because, we are at Rock Creek. In a campground. Without a truck. . . If you don't see or hear from us for the next while we are at the Kettle River RV Park. Check there. Because, yes.... We are having truck troubles. Again. The transmission. Again. We drove Hwy 33 to here. Registered, and as Ron pulled away, the truck did not sound good. And then it stalled when put in gear. Continuously, unless he quickly 'goosed it'. ugh... not good news. We were lucky to get this far with a 5th wheel in tow.

This morning Ron drove the truck to Grand Forks. Luckily, once you get it moving forward, it continues forward. 'OK Tire' confirmed that it was indeed the transmission and that they couldn't fix it. Ron is now on his way to Trail, hopefully for a fix. Likely a whole new transmission. And hopefully today!? I am back in Rock Creek at the RV.

So that is today's update. . . Really hoping that we aren't stuck here too long.

Vernon stop

Our Vernon stay has been a bit of a whirlwind. It was so great to pull up to the waving smiling faces in the window. (One can hear us coming from blocks away!)

                                              strawberries yum!
The weather hasn't been the best, but we were able to spend some time outdoors.















There were walks to the pond.



Some good times reading and playing indoors.



Christal's family came for dinner. And Kari, who was visiting in Kelowna drove up for a visit. The weekend flew by . . .



At times it was exhausting,

But we are sad to say goodbye.

Kelowna Days

Orchard Valley RV Park

Site #11 (power/water from next site)

Internet - orchardvalley / apples

Temp 23C

We are at our usual Orchard Valley RV Park. There must be a long weekend coming up. It is chilly and raining today and that is the current weekend forecast. Sounds familiar?

We enjoyed two evening meals with Doug, Rina and Ryley. News from Remy is coming via Facebook posts as she shares some awesome photos from her London and Italy trip.

                                  Remy in Florence, Italy

The rest of the family will be joining her for 2 weeks shortly. A trip of a lifetime!

With it raining on and off, we spent much of our Kelowna time indoors. We got a few groceries this morning. Strawberries for Owen, because apparently we are remembered as the grandparents who always bring him strawberries.... lol !!

We were expecting a visit from Ron's cousin, Lori Seemann this evening. She recently moved to Kelowna and is working at the Airport. Her previous employment had been in Fort McMurray area, so her timing for the move turned out to be pretty lucky considering those fires. Anyway, she ended up working late and we didn't get a visit. Another time.

Tomorrow we arrive in Vernon. With strawberries!!

more from Okanagan Falls

We did enjoy our stay at Okanagan Falls, although I don't expect we will camp here again. We just can't get used to being 'shoe-horned' into a campsite. It was too close for comfort. The neighbours sewage drain is basically right beside your picnic table. ugh..No thank you!

cozy camping

The Salmon Chief

The weather was great, our view of Skaha Lake was awesome and the campgrounds managers are so helpful and friendly, that one would be tempted to come back just to visit with them again. Manager, Bob, did apologize profusely about our neighbour being closer than he needed to be. I can't even imagine this place midsummer when every spot is filled.

oh so pretty

Anyway, we had a couple of great bike rides along the KVR Trail to Kaleden and back. A few years ago we rode the full 24 km round trip between here and Penticton, but opted for the 1/2 trip this time.

Okanagan Falls Trestle

biking selfie

We didn't hear the explosion last night, but this apparently happened. Just a 1/2 block behind us. The camp managers were awoken and said there was a big bang and lots of flames.

exploding van beside old garage below

On our final day, we did a driving tour along the east side of the lake to Penticton and also along a winding road through the hills west of Skaha. We stumbled across the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. It is an internationally known facility for science and technology research related to radio astronomy. It operates three telescopes on its radio-quiet site - (no cell phones, laptops or GPS allowed!). There are labs and equipment for the development of all aspects of radio-frequency instrumentation. You can google it!

The stuffie hang-out near our campground.

And tomorrow it's on to Kelowna . . .