Kicking Horses

On the road again, (Willie Nelson) from Nelson we drive for 3 hours along a valley of the most awesome proportions. Everything is vast, the mountains on either side are now snowcapped, the valley floor is so green and full of wildlife. We saw bear, skunk, caribou and heron. The Columbia river flows along dictating every twist and bend of the valley with a rail track and the highway along its banks.

Next stop is the Austrian themed town of Radium which has a natural hot spring at 42c to soak in. Being out of season we manage a motel deal for the night, lunch on the balcony, 2 hours soaking in the hot spring, down the pub for open mic night....well, what a laugh.  The resident band was a 30 stone dad who had to play his guitar seated, his 20 stone son on guitar and whoever wanted to step up and sing, dance or play any instrument.  16 year old Stacey came up and belted out some country numbers, she was good.  On the last song she stumbled on the lyrics for a second which was the cue for the very pissed old lady to join Stacey and sang like a cat being strangled then fell over, excellent comedy act.

The next day after a hearty breakfast still going north we finally hit Golden and the mountain that Archie has made his home. We haven't seen him for over 5 months so hugs all round.

Being way up in the mountains the air temperature at night is close to freezing so camping is no longer an option. Lyn had found a hostel on line which is down a back road next to a railway yard of massive proportions. The hostel sits alone and at first glance I decided maybe a Holiday Inn would be preferable but Lyn insisted we get out. We were met by Tania, the proprietor who welcomed us in a broad Scottish accent and instantly I felt at home. She is one of those can do people and has a plethora of amusing stories. We sat around an open fire out back eating from the barbecue and drinking beer with her four cats well into the night. At regular intervals a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train would thunder past either east or west bound and the track about 20 metres away. Most trains would have two huge engines pulling, another engine in the middle with another as tailend Charlie. Tania says on average the trains are a mile long!

In the morning we drive up to Kicking Horse Resort where Archie works and as a perk he arranges free passes to ride the Gondola ski lift to the summit and the highest restaurant in Canada. Snow on the ground we enjoyed hot chocolate and the most amazing views I have ever seen.

We then took an open chair lift to an electric fenced enclosure of 20 acres which is home to Boo, a captive grizzly bear. Boo was orphaned ten years ago when an illegal hunter shot and killed Boos momma. The two cubs were rescued and the enclosure was built to ensure they survived, sadly one cub died soon after but Boo flourished in his private forest. At this time of year he is on an 8000 calorie per day diet just before he hibernates for the winter. The hunter received a $50,000 fine for failing to produce a $50 hunting permit.

The daytime weather is still glorious with temperatures up to 28c but dropping to freezing at night so we are staying at the hostel until Sunday by which time Archie finishes his final shift for the season then we pack up and head south for Washington state, the Oregon coast down to California and hopefully some warmer camping type weather.

As Im sitting here by the fire pit at midnight writing this, a truck pulls up and three Irish guys spill out to book into the hostel. One of the fellers comes out and shares a bottle of red with me. We actually solved the Northern Irish situation in about half an hour. I hope I can remember the details so I can let Boris know.