Sunday, July 3, 2011

I was even more excited this morning that yesterday. Beginning a trip is great, and riding across the open prairie to see Sean and Marcel was fun, but nothing- absolutely nothing- beats riding into the mountains on Silver. My mission for the day was a big one: I was going to head into the mountains on the Trans-Canada, hit Revelstoke for lunch, and head due south across a ferry and into the Kootenays to meet my cousins Judy and Morris in Nelson around dinnertime.

It always seems take forever to get out of Calgary. It’s like the city that has no limits and just goes on and on and on. Perhaps I just feel that way because every time I am there I am actually in a hurry to get somewhere else. Once I was finally on the highway I breathed in the crisp, early morning air as I headed up into the Rockies on the Trans Canada. I was able to reach Banff by about 10:30.

Shortly after Banff the bad weather came. The winds picked up heavily and was pushing me to and fro on the highway. I had to pull over to collect myself and wrap all of my gear in plastic to protect it from the rain, and then I donned my raingear.

I was in a hurry and the rain slowed me down considerably. Not only was it wet- it was also very cold, and it got worse as I headed further east over the Continental Divide into British Columbia. It took some time to get through Banff and Yoho National Parks, and I was able to reach Golden around 12:30 local time.

I decided to gas up, get some supplies, and have lunch in Golden. I couldn’t wait another hour and a half to Revelstoke and my body was sore from riding through the cold and the rain. It really takes it out of ya. After a solid half hour break I headed further West over Roger’s Pass into Revelstoke, where I fueled up again and enjoyed a return to sunny weather.

I took my time as I headed south from Revelstoke to the Upper Arrow Lake, where I waited about 40 minutes for a ferry to take me across the lake north of Nakusp. The Ferry ride itself was amazing. I could ride those boats all day. I did notice that the lake seemed very high (although I only took this particular ferry once before on the Magical Mystery Tour 2008). I talked with some of the local travellers who told me that their summer has been horrible- hardly any sunshine and lots of rain. I did notice that alot of the peaks in the Kootenays had snow where usually there is none by this time of the year.

Once I crossed the river I headed south to Nakusp and east from there to New Denver. The entire time I listening to two of my favourite Beatles albums: Rubber Soul and Abbey Road. The sun was shining most of the way, but wasn’t able to slow down and enjoy the scenery as I was in a hurry. I had to get to Nelson before supper. I roared down the side of Slocan lake south of New Denver to Nelson. I finally arrived around 7pm local time. Only an hour late.

It was geat to see my cousins Judy and Morris again. We enjoyed some great food and some great wine, and caught up on family activities and news. I hope that my conversation skills were adequate, as I was exhausted from a long 10 hour day on the road that took me from the prairie, over the Rockies, and into the Kootenays.

I adjourned early and was able to sleep soundly as the smell of cool mountain air came through the window and into my lungs. That same smile that was on my face as I left home was still there.