Chilliwack, BC

It was hard to leave Similkameen River, but the drive over the pass into the beautiful Fraser Valley was great. We spent the night in Chilliwack just below Bridal Falls - - pretty amazing (though popular with mosquitoes). We stayed in a fancy RV Park criss-crossed with hedges for privacy. There was a big kiddie playground and a huge waterslide park next door (which the kids loved the next morning). I wish we’d had time to visit the Minter Gardens - - they looked pretty. The next day, we stopped at the White Spot for lunch. The mix-and-match kid meals served in pirate ships were a huge hit as were the practically perfect blueberry and strawberry milkshakes.

Mike found a defunct dinosaur park next door and had to jump the fence to do a little exploring.

Rhododendron Flats

We pulled off Hwy 3 in Manning Park in the heart of the Cascade Mountains at Rhododendron Flats. We took a long walk through tall trees and gorgeous ferns and flowers. After we crossed the bridge, the trail narrowed so it was one a foot or so wide through tall grasses and bushes. We ended our hike up a rocky mountain stream following a “path” that led up to a wonderful waterfall. Across the falls was the remains of an old mine and cabin. It was particularly special because it seemed we were one of the few to have discovered it.

Similkameen River

One of our favorite campsites was on the Similkameen River near Hope (or maybe Princeton), BC, even though it was right off Huw 3 and just down river of a large lumber mill which seemed to be running 24/7. We had water and power and a nice big bonfire perched on the river bank.

Just before dark, we drove back a few miles to what had looked like a wonderful beach and waterhole in the river. But, it as evening approached it was cooling off fast and the water was so cold only Tom and Caleb went in all the way. The current was very strong so it was a challenge to stay upright!

Osoyoos, BC

We spent the night in a funky little RV park/campground sandwiched between two more permanent RV parks. Campers and RVs packed together cheek by jowl, crammed into every available spot winding up a steep hill. Although it wasn’t particularly appealing, the hookups worked and we had a quiet night and a lazy morning the next day waiting for the attached water slide park to open. There was a waterfall next to Sandy’s site trickling from the campsites above through a retaining wall of tires. The sound was nice, tho’ one didn’t want to think WHAT was trickling down from above. Osoyoos means “where the water narrows” - - the narrow bit of land between the halves of the lakes was where the Okanagan Salish Indians used to trap salmon swimming up the Okanagan River. The climate is so warm and dry that there is a banana plantation is the area. The water in the lake is the warmest in Canada, which is probably why it is such a popular tourist spot.

Christina Lake to Osoyoos, BC

The countryside along the southern border of Canada is beautiful - - sweeping views of green valleys, high mountains, pretty little farms and rushing rivers - - but the road (still hwy 3) is not the best - - very steep hills and curves, punctuated by more runaway truck ramps than I’ve ever seen and endless expansion cracks and grooved surfaces that makes the ride bumpy and uncomfortable. The final descent into Osoyoos was awesome - - extremely steep hairpin curves (speed of 20 k/hr whatever that is in m/hr!) with amazing views to the lakes below and ranges of huge mountains to the west with a beautiful sunset over everything. The road descends 650 m in 18 km in a series of serious switchbacks. I can't imagine driving it in the winter!

Christina Lake, BC

The next morning, we spent an hour or so circling Castlegar (very high bridges crisscrossed the rivers that meet in the middle of town, not Sandy’s favorite) and then drove west for an hour of so to Christina Lake.

Christina Lake is a nice little town running along the southern edge of a beautiful mountain lake with a sandy beach and grassy picnic area. We spent most of the afternoon there and got to picnic and lounge around without being attacked by mosquitoes. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and the water is particularly sparkly. Wonderful place.

Castlegar, BC

We drove north and west on Hwy 3 for an hour or so up a steep mountain and then down the other side. All of the runaway truck signs and ramps were a little intimidating. And the clouds of bugs that we drove through were quite intimidating. There were also many hand-printed signs between Keremeos to Hedley protesting the governments plan to make this area a National Park.

Castlegar is located in a valley of the Kootenay Rockies at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. It is a small milltown made charming by its beautiful surroundings. We stayed in the Castlegar RV park in the hills to the south of town. After days without, it was nice to have power, showers, laundry and a wifi (but no steak to satisfy Mike’s hankering).

US to Canada border crossing

We crossed into Canada just north of Metaline Falls at Nelway. Fortunately, neither side wanted to search our campers (although they did make us eat or toss all of our fruit). The car ahead of us was not so lucky - - the Mounties pawed through everything they owned!