Road Trip - Victoria to Nelson BC

 

Day 1 - May 23rd, 2001
My day started out with a 6 am pick up. We were one of the last cars to make it on the 7 am sailing from Victoria to Vancouver area. I had stepped outside (on the ferry) what a beautiful calm day! Tranquility is what came to mind as I stood alone on the upper deck, tucked in a corner. Peace. I took some pictures of the islands, awing in the morning beauty. After walking around the outside of the ship I decided to join my current fellow travelers in the Pacific Buffet. This, we all highly do not recommend for breakfast... their lunch and dinner buffets are a little more palatable. There are many choices for food on the ferry: White Spot, the buffet, a snack bar and a coffee bar. White Spot tastes like any White Spot you will find on dry land.

We drove off the ferry.. I now am juggling 2 laptops, a cell phone and many cables... I am trying desperately to connect to the Internet... no luck still. I give up and decide to watch a dvd... but soon realized it was a bad idea to wear slippery pants. I pack everything back up... defeated. My knees are up near my chin, I need more room! Some how I get quasi comfortable. I watch the world pass on by. At first we traveled through the Frasier Valley... off in the distance we can see mountains, massive mountains. We travel past miles of farms, amazed at some old barns that are still standing, with birdhouses atop. As we approach the mountains we are soon awed by the waterfalls and the lush life. Right about now my wretched flu is really getting to me, I forgot my pills as I left in a frenzy that morn. We stopped in a little town called Hope... the town that somehow hides itself too well. I ran to the pharmacy in desperation, stocking up on flu remedies... soon polluting my body with these somehow helpful medications.

Back on the road again, all is well. We soon came upon the famous Hope Slide. As we carried on we awed at the wondrous sights of nature. We stopped at a park in the woods and decided to have lunch. The river looked very inviting as the heat was ever rising. This little park is know for its stolen cedars. We are currently in Manning Park. Next stop would be the rhododendron flats... we wandered off into the woods, finding ourselves at the edge of a massive cliff, we now realized this was the wrong path. As we made our way back through the woods we were plagued with spider webs in the face and swarming bugs. We finally found the right path... and just as we had assumed, they were not it bloom yet, they are in bloom in Victoria, but this is a whole new world. We head back to the car and continue on our merry way.

We come down the hill towards our final destination today, Osoyoos. I am riddled with memories, I used to come here to camp 9 & 10 years ago, and had not been here since. Much is the same, some new hotels and such. But for the most part it looked the same. Many of the same businesses are still open. We drove through the town and then decided upon where we shall sleep for the night. At 5 PM we arrived at the Holiday Inn... I had remembered hearing that many of the motels along the strip were very seedy. We knew we were safe here, and ended up with a great room that we all fit into, rather than possibly having to rent two rooms at a smaller motel. There is lake on either side of the Strip. The first thing I did was take a 2 hour nap, ahhh a bed! The sweltering heat combined with the flu and sleep deprivation has really wiped me out. As I awake I realize I need dinner. I start by walking across the street and taking pictures as I walk along. I made it to a grocery store, walked around in a daze and left with only liquids. I wandered down to a little park along the water. I sat upon a park bench and drank my orange juice, praying for rehydration. I had decided to call my mom and let her know all was well... our conversation started off with me stating that it was in the high 90s here and that I was stifling hot... but within minutes the wind picked up... it really picked up! I watched in fear as a large tree limb got ripped from its life force. Its green leaves would soon shrivel and parish.

Back to the hotel I wandered. I was informed that this little desert town had reached 37 C, a record for them on this day in time. The heat combined with my fever had helped me lose all appetite for food. I showered again, ahhh nice cooling shower, just what I needed. I need food now. The wind has died down and I wander back out into the world. I arrive at the Subway I planned to eat at. They closed 5 minutes before. This town is dead, nothing is open, I am starving. 45 minutes later walking uphill I finally make it to A&W, I order a teen burger and wander next door to 7-11 and I get the biggest slurpee. Ahhh, relief for my dry aching throat mmmm. I head back to A&W and get my burger and head back to the hotel for relief from the heat. Upon reaching the Hotel I have once again lost my appetite, I eat a few bites, that is better than nothing. I shower again, ahhhh cooling relief. I head out onto the patio with my laptop, camera and headphones. I get everything all set up and am ready to do some typing. I soon realize that the glow off of my laptop is a great bug magnet, and the glow reflecting off my white skin created what to them was another light. I got creative and found a way to lessen the light to a point where the bugs were semi-barable. The patio faced one side of the lake, surrounded by rolling hills. I could see layers upon layers of stars in the sky. Yet off yonder above the hills there were flashes of lightening. Nature is wonderful. Not long after huge raindrops fell upon the cement patio, just feet from my and my pile of electronics. Soon after I decided to pack everything back up into safety. I wandered back out, the rain was gone and we were back to stars and lightening. I wandered down to the lakeside and situated myself upon a lawn chair, staring up at the wonders of the worlds above. Tranquility, again. Just as I was completely relaxed I heard a familiar sound. Oh no! The sprinkler system just kicked in... but wait, where are the stairs?? They are camouflaged! I make it back up on the patio with only a damp ankle. *Sigh* time to call it a night.

Day 2
I wake up in a feverish state. My dad looks at me and says we are not traveling with me this sick. I say in a hoarse voice "don't worry, I just need a shower and I will be good as new". He looks at me like I am nuts. After showering and eating I feel semi-alive and ready as I can be. We load up the car and head up the winding road through the hills. We stop to take a photo of the small town we are leaving behind.

Our next stop is a tiny town with the name of Greenwood. This is a popular place for filming movies. We stop for coffee and some leg stretching. The majority of the stores along the mini-strip are antique stores. One store have a suicide proof hanger from the first jail in Nelson. It was made of wood and they wanted hundreds of dollars for it. They had a great collection of old books about Canada. I cannot buy anything as it would be inconvenient to carry more than I already am with me.

Next break is Rossland. After wandering around their mining museum we headed into the mine, a 45 minute tour. Unfortunately none of the pictures turned out from within the mine. Strange, I had my flash on. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had many great stories to add to all the facts. After we exited the chilly mine that sweats moisture drops upon us we were delighted to pan for some gold. Fools gold mind you, but fun none the less. I didn't want to leave, I am attracted to bright shiny objects.

After I was dragged away from mining we headed down a winding road through Trail then through Kaslo. Shortly after leaving Kaslo we stopped for a break at a rest area. I walked up the trail a bit and was standing facing the wild waterfall. The water was rushing down and spraying up in every direction. The misty breeze was a nice relief. The sound of the roaring water was strangely calming. This was our last break before we hit our final destination, Nelson.

Nelson is known for its architecture. I was a bit disappointed, considering I have been spoiled living in Victoria. Nelson is also known for its fine woodworking school, this being our reason to be here. My brother was graduating this weekend. My dad and his wife needed a hotel room, I was staying with my brother. We wandered around town soon realizing Nelson was all booked up. There was the graduation as well as a big conference. They ended up in the BC theme room at one of the hotels, their other choices were the Egyptian room or the African room. The BC room was less cheesy. After resting and cooling down we became hungry. We headed up to the main strip and located my brother. We walked across the street to a new restaurant. Within a few minutes my brothers girlfriend wandered in. we were sitting by the window, and many people popped in to say hi. Nice small town feel where everyone seams to know each other.

After dinner we went to where home would be to me for the next 3 nights. I promptly set up all my electronics, must get them recharging. Then to the couch for some resting. After regaining some strength I made it out onto the porch for some relaxing fresh air. Very Peaceful. Later that evening and after doing things like preparing my bed and familiarizing myself with their home I am back out on the porch again. Lightening is crashing fiercely over the mountains. Then the thunder comes, and blinding flashes! A wild storm has hit. The rain begins to fall, gently at first, but within minutes hail is crashing down. I wonder, will the hail penetrate the fragile roof over my head? Should I go inside to the safety? I was in heaven. I could stay out here all night, but it is getting chilly and I am sick. I head in and soon after I make it into bed and fall off in a slumber.

Day 3 & 4 - Nelson, BC
6am, the sun is shining brightly upon my pillow. Everyone is up and wandering around. My brother is asking me if I want him to grab me a coffee while he is out dropping off his girlfriend at work. For some reason the question is completely uncomprehendable in my dazed state. Finally I understand and repeat the question as he first said it, and replied, yes please. Soon he and his roommate headed off to school, their last day there, the clean up day that follows with the public showing of their work. I was left alone, I headed to my computer and soon realized I had forgotten to install some important software, oops. My dad wandered in asking if I wanted to join them for a round of golf, at that time I was busy getting stuff done. I declined the offer. Not long after I was just walking out the door on my mission: To drive a car to a city I have never been to, find the airport, pick up my mom, and make it back to this unfamiliar city and find Chantals(brothers girlfriend)work. I decided to add some challenges into it, find a medical clinic, I wasn't getting better, it felt like I had razor blades in my throat, I was worried. Another task would be to find some nutrition. My brother called and added yet another challenge, come pick him up from school and take him to where their showing was. Miraculously I made it everywhere just in time... drove back into Nelson with mom and soon saw both my brother and Chantal, perfect timing all around.

After eating and browsing through the fine woodwork on display we headed back to my brothers. We had decided upon a restaurant named All Seasons. Casual, yet classy. Excellent food and an award winning wine list. I ate Alberta Angus Beef, I needed a replenishing meal. After dinner it was planned that we all head to the wine and cheese soiré for my brothers graduation. I realize my voice hurts far too much for a social gathering. I also realize that the pain is ridiculously unbearable and request a run to 7-11 for a slurpee and the liqueur store for some rum, rum is a cure all, I realized at this point the only thing I could do for relief is drinking myself to sleep. Sad but true.

A couple hours after I was dropped off, my mom and Chantal returned. The three of us girls sat out on the porch and giggled as girls do when no men are around. Telling silly tales until one by one they left for bed. I didn't last much longer myself. Soon a slipped off into a deep sleep, as planned and got a great sleep, 5 hours! At 6:30am I could hear my mom doing the dishes and cleaning house, what is with that strange urge? I guess she misses cleaning up after my brother. I wandered around all morning, half in a daze not knowing what to do with myself, but I could not sleep any more.

Around noon we headed down for the Saturday market. Hippyville is more like it! The market was small and very friendly. The main part was under covered roof, then merchants spilled out into the lawn behind, and a bit father back was a rushing waterfall. There were people scattered everywhere and everyone had a bongo. I decided not to travel with my bongo as I would look completely like a hippy then, well until I pulled out my electronics. Yes, I have a bongo :-). "I don't want to work, I just want to bang on my drums all day." There was a little girl and her mom sitting beside the waterfall. The little girl was playing with her mommies hair. They were caught in a perfect moment, I hope they saw that too. We soon wandered back to the car and headed to the main strip. We gathered some food and wandered around.

Later that evening, after a long drive along the water, my mom and I had dinner at Mazatlan. Excellent Mexican food! They are well known for their marguritas made with real lime juice. The lime juice was too much for my raw aching throat. Back to slurpees for me.

Day 5 Nelson to Vernon

Our day started with a family Sunday brunch. We all pigged out preparing for our journey home. The food was wonderful and the setting was in a garden. I am still feeling rough and already time to get stuffed back in the car for 2 days.

My dad wanted to show me the glaciers and different views driving northbound from Nelson to get to Vernon. It was a beautiful drive that I unfortunately slept through most of! In one area there is a ferry to get across a river, it is operated with a pully system.

New Denver Pictures

On Day 6 we arrived safely back home!

Hope you enjoyed this adventure!