Westward Bound

Wild turkeys invaded the yard the last day I was there.

While still in the area north of Castlegar, BC, we took the opportunity to visit Ainsworth Hot Springs one morning, and spent much of the afternoon hiking in Kokanee Provincial Park.  Not sure if the park was named after the beer, or vice versa ;-). 

 

 

We hiked the Old Growth trail which had large cedars that were several hundred years old, then drove to the end of the road at Gibson Lake, where the trail to Slocan Chief Cabin begins.

And no, none of these photos is upside down – it is the reflection in the lake.

 

From there, it was westbound through Castlegar, Grand Forks, Osoyoos, and eventually into a friend’s driveway in Peachland for the night.  

The next day it was over the mountain pass towards Merritt.  But a shortcut to the Coquihalla highway beckoned, and my backroads mapbook showed some likely looking camp spots along the way. Harmon lake seemed like a good spot to stop, well off the beaten path.  Hailey got to teach a young squirrel a thing or two about predators, but no one was hurt in the process!  She also checked out the lakeshore with great interest.

 

And, being inquisitive like she is, discovered a new hideout in the camper!

Next – on to Vancouver Island!