Up to the Rockies

We were right that Rocke and Barbara's place was uphill; on the way back to town, I went for over five kilometres on the bike without pedalling. Which was good, since we all got up about 6 AM, either to go to work (for Rocke and Barbara), or to get on with the trip (Nancy, Barry, and I). We had more good conversation and coffee and food before leaving, then off we went.

The road out of Cranbrook was scary, bigger than any we had been on, and busier with heavy trucks. Most of these, fortunately, were heading East through the Crowsnest Pass. So once we got to the interchange which got us onto the road going north, things quieted considerably. And the shoulder was good, and the road pretty level. So we made good time overall. We went up through Fort Steele (a reconstructed historic town; 

we took a pass on visiting it), and then followed the Kootenay River up to a place called Canal Flats. Along the way, we passed through the town with the interesting name of Skookumchuck. It is a pulp mill town, with that distinct odour. We actually stopped for lunch just outside of it, where Nancy met us as well. Our lunch was disturbed by a loud squeal of a whistle from the plant, which went on for some five minutes. We saw no sign of explosions, so I guess this was an ordinary occurrence.

Then on up the road (the word "up" is used advisedly) for many more kilometres until we got to the afore-mentioned Canal Flats. We had thought we might stay there, but it was a pretty meagre town, so Nancy found us a lovely cabin in a resort compound some sixteen kilometres further along, on an old part of the highway along Columbia Lake (which is the start of the Columbia River). After putting our bikes down, we realized that we had actually gone over 110 kilometres this day! So we were a bit tired, particularly since the last fifteen were

 against a strong wind.

We went into the new town of Fairmont Hot Springs for supper. Now Patrick and I came through here about four years ago, and I would swear that there was almost nothing in Fairmont Hot Springs. Now it is a bustling and posh community, with building going on everywhere. And the money comes from Alberta, almost exclusively. Dinner was fair, and the company was first-rate. Bed came early, and the sleep was sweet.