Motorcycle Adventures

My weekend camping trip was an enjoyable success!

I left Thursday morning just before 7am.  Although there was the normal traffic volume, it was going in the other direction.  Getting out of the city was easy.  The temperature was comfortable, the weather was fantastic.

I filled up in Hope as I usually do, and started the trip in earnest.  I never feel like I’ve left until I hit highway number 3.

So with great music in my ears, the warm sun shining on me, and the excitement of riding my bike into a weekend of relaxation and camping, I headed for Manning Park.

I had the highway to myself!  It seems this route is not heavily used, especially in off-peak times of the year.  It was great to ride with so little traffic.  I could carve the curves and take in the scenery at my own pace, and without the noise of other traffic.  It was wonderful.

This is the highest elevation for the highway.  I always seem to underestimate how cold it can get, and this ride was no exception.  I didn’t bother and stop to change clothes, but I was a little cold

The decent back into the warmer orchard covered hills was a welcome relief from the cold. I wish it was a little later in the year.  The many fruit stands would have been a great excuse to take a break for some freshly picked fruit and veg.

I would like to take a moment to admit that I have an addiction.  This addiction is a little bit of a distraction for me when I ride, and I’m not sure if I should seek help.  It’s the temperature guage.  It’s not good enough for me to be able to feel how warm it is.  I need to KNOW what the temperature is.  I need to confirmation.  I like to guess how warm it is and then look to see how close I was.

The temperature increased constantly as I neared Osoyoos.  It was wonderful to thaw out from the cold of Manning Park.  By the time I reached Osoyoos it was up to 28 degrees.  Wonderful!

I pulled into my favorite campsite – Cabana Beach Campsite around 11:30am.  I love the little cabanas.  It’s great to have power for my gadgets, and I love having a fridge and a sink, not to mention the protection from the elements.  Particularly in Osoyoos where it can get quite windy and hot, the cabanas are a perfect addition.

The owner of the campsite updated me on all the gossip from the campsite. By the time I selected my spot, I knew the story of every camper who was there.  The 4 young fruit pickers form Quebec, the couple who were out of work and staying at the campsite until they found work, and the fellow who was working and staying at the campsite until he could afford his own place.  It seemed I was the only person who was really just camping, and not needing a home.

Setting up camp is one of my favorite parts of camping. I’m sure no one who knows me would be surprised by this.  I love organizing everything and setting things up. 

I chose the campsite right in the corner by the orchard.  It turned out to be a very good spot.  It was far enough away from everyone else that I had peace and quite.  It was also close to the road.  Getting in and out of the site with the motorcycle could not have been easier.

After setting up camp, I went into town.  I stopped in at Smitty’s for lunch.  I was too hungry to buy food and go shopping. After lunch I wandered around Osoyoos, window shopping and browsing.  Osoyoos is amazingly barren when it comes to supplies.  Aside from the incredibly well stocked Home Hardware, everything else is under-stocked.  The Source (formerly radio shack) looked more like it had recently been looted.  I suppose the winter months are not kind to this little town.

I bought some food at the local store, some water, and some beer.  I have to balance the hydration from the water with the beer after all – can’t get too well hydrated!

I spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the water, under a set of big tress, on a beach blanket – very nice!

After all that relaxing I wanted something to do, so I went for a ride.  First, I explored the area around the campsite.  There is a beautiful vineyard a little further down the main road.

I also wanted to find out a little more about the new Desert Cultural Centre built by the very intelligent people of the Nk’Mip reserve.  They have taken reserve land, and built a huge RV and tenting site (a very beautiful site with full hookups, and great amenities), a winery, a riding stable, a golf course, a grocery Store, a restaurant, a huge high-end resort, and most recently, the new Desert Cultural Centre.

After that I went for a ride up the hill, towards Nelson, to take in the view.  This switchback up the mountainside is one of my favorite roads anywhere.  It’s such a great feeling to climb so high, so quickly.

I went back to my campsite and enjoyed the rest of the evening. I went for a long barefoot walk, as usual, sat on the dock with my feet in the water, and watched the sunset.  I love the warm air in Osoyoos.  The air didn’t start to cool until after 9pm, but it was great to be so warm and comfortable until so late at night.  There was no need for extra clothes.  Fantastic.  I stayed up until 10pm before finally calling it a night.

I woke up at 5am on Friday.  A bit too early, but it’s my routine when I camp.  I like to get up early so that I can get ready, shower, and use the facilities before anyone else is around.

Once I had breakfast, I decided to see if I could find a co beach that I read about on the Internet around Penticton. The beach is called Three Mile Beach.  Nicole was nice enough to send me  text message after she finished work with instructions.

The drive was nice, and again, there wasn’t a lot of traffic.  I stopped off at a very nice view point to take a few photos.

The beach is nice, but nothing compared to Wreck. I went for a little walk and sat and relaxed a little.  It was sadly a little too cold even to sit and relax, so I didn’t spend too long there.

Once back I relaxed a little bit, waiting for Larry to arrive.  He arrived almost an hour early.  We spent the afternoon going for a long walk along the water, and then going for a nice dinner. After dinner we went back up to the viewpoint.  I took a few photographs to stitch together a panorama.

Panorama:

We spent the evening chatting the hours away. It was a great visit.

At one point, we saw two motorcycle riders – they looked like a  young couple.  As we were watching them set up thier camp we were commenting on how we wondered how they could carry enough equipment to camp.  They were both of sport bikes, and only had small pack packs, and no on-bike storage.  It soon became clear that they really didn’t have enough equipment.  As we watched them set up thier tent we could hardly believe what we saw.  When they left for dinner we had to go and take photographs.  this was without a doubt the smallest tent I have ever seen.  Not only was it too small for me to fit into properly, they were both going to sleep in it!!!

We went to bed around midnight.  The air was really breezy, but warm and so very pleasant.

The next morning I woke up at 4:45am!  Once I was up I couldn’t sleep any more, so I decided I would start to pack up.  The weather called for rain on Sunday, and I decided to head back home again. Riding isn’t much fun in the rain, and I had already had a wonderful time.

The weekend was wonderful.  A little adventure, a lot of relaxing, and some great company.

I spent yesterday after working pleasantly cleaning my bike, and then loading it for my little trip.  All I need to do this AM is get on and go!  And I should be off some time before 7am.  All I need to do is shower and have breakfast.

Well it’s almost time to go on my first overnight adventure of the year…

I have both Thursday and Friday off this week, making for a wonderful extra-long weekend.  I’m going to head off to Osoyoos again for a little camping weekend.  So far weather looks quite good – with Thursday and Friday being fantastic, and Saturday looking like a little rain might be possible.  Sunday looks good again.  Hopefully the weather holds like this.

I packed everything up today so that I can take care of any last-minute items tomorrow night and not need to rush.

Should be a nice relaxing weeend.

Oh today was nice…  A nice winter ride on a weekend… I’ve been itching to get on my bike again for weeks now.  It takes time to build-up itch to ride, but it’s always buidling slowly in the background for me, until finally it becomes a burning desire…  Something I think about all the time – and recently I’ve been feeling like this.

Today it was finally sunny, minimal snow on the ground and reasonably dry streets, so I thought it was time to take her out for a spin.  It was a nice ride.  I took Loughneed Highway to 160th street, turned around, and came back home.  It wasn’t a beautful route or an amazing ride, but it was wonderful to get back out and to stratch that itch!!!

The only problem with scratching itches… Is that another itch pops up somewhere else… 

This was the first time in many years (close to 9 years) that I’ve been on a vacation for any extended period of time by myself.

In some ways it was difficult to convince myself to go alone. I’m glad I did.

It was different in many ways compared to going with someone else. It was great to do everything on my own schedule. It was nice to be able to make plans, have early starts to my day, and to not have to stop for someone else when I wasn’t ready.

It was however not as good as sharing the experience with my sweetie or a good friend. I enjoy the company and the social aspect of being with someone, and so in this respect I felt my trip lacked.

It was ultimately very much worth going, and given a time when I wasn’t able to go with someone, I wouldn’t hesitate to go on my own again.

I loved staying in the backpackers lodge. It was very affordable, yet still private. It was clean and comfortable. I would happily go back again. It was much more comfortable than camping, and it made poor weather enjoyable.

I very much enjoyed my time with Larry and his family and am very grateful for thier wonderful hospitality.

Of course the best part of being away, especially without Nicole, is coming home. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to see Nicole this afternoon. I love missing my wonderful wife this much, even after all the great years we’ve been together.

Photos from my trip will be available shortly.

Today is the drive home. I’m up at 6:45 and about to get ready.

I hope to avoid the rain as much as possible. The forcast for Kelowna is for rain in the afternoon, but for Vancouver it looks like rain all day long. I’ll be getting all my wet gear on right away today. Hopefully I can make it at least some of the way home without being rained on!

I will probably leave in about an hour, and expect the drive to take roughly 3.5 hrs, so I expect to be home some time around noon.

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The drive was much warmer than I expected. I was very warmly dressed so I was often a litter warmer than I expected.

The drive along the “coke” was borning. What can I say, compaired to the amazing roads of the number 3 highway, the yellowhead is just plain bland. Like dry toast.

The advantage of that route of course is that it is fast. I was able to ride at higher speeds and not get stuck behind any traffic with the many passing lanes.

I ledt just before eight in the morning, and pulled into the driveway at 12:44pm.

Saturday was a very pleasant day.

The room I was sleeping in had no windows – only I didn’t know this. Every time I would wake up, thinking it must be morning, it was still completely dark! So, I went back to sleep. After doing this 3 or 4 times, I started to wonder what time it was, and when I looked, was very surprised to find out that it was almost 10am!!! I haven’t slept that late my entire trip.

After a lazy morning. Larry and I dropped off Zhila for a fundraiser m, and went foe a wonderful walk by the water.

The park and condos next to the water are really something to see. The park is incredibly well maintained, with lush green grass and beautiful landscaping. There boardwalk along the edge is also very beautiful, and the views are gorgeous.

There are several large and fancy condo developments, complete with a private section of the lake, closed off with a lock (sp)? There is space for the residents to tie up thief boats along side the condos. It’s quite fancy!

After our walk we enjoyed a beer and a snack at the local pub, and then continued on back home. Larry put a chicken in the oven, and we spent more time relaxing and chatting. After dinner it we had a veryvlong soak in the hot tub. It was wonderful.

I stayed in the tub far too long!

A nice sleep, and a quick shower and I was ready to go! I had prepared everything for my trip the night before.

The weather was as advertised – the sun finally came out.

I had debated taking highway #6, but after looking over maps and the suggestion of my GPS, it seemed better to take highway three back towards Osoyoos, and then connect at highway number 33 to Kelowna.

The ride was beautiful, though the sun didn’t spend all it’s time with me. It was also much colder than expected. I had prepared for a high of 30 degrees. Based on my previous trips, I only had about half an hour if cooler temps before things started to heat up. I was wrong (really wrong).

Not only did the temp not rise, but things started to cool down. I spent most of the day riding in 12 degrees. It dropped to as low as 8, and went as high as 19, but my trip was cold, and I’m all honesty, I really didn’t dress for it. I stopped for warmer gloves, but otherwise put up with it. Finding warmer clothes would have meant unpacking the bike, repacking the bags, and a lengthy stop.

I did make excellent time, compelled by my frozen parts. I left at 730am, and arrived at 1130am.

The rest of the day was pleasantly spent relaxing with Larry and his family.

Zzzzzzzzz

Oh, Hi!

Well. Um. Today is a lazy day. I thought yesterday was lazy, but today beats yesterday!

It was raining hard when I first got up this morning around 8am. I got ready. Had some breakfast, and crawled back into bed! (nap #1).

I got up a little later, learned all about Nelson from the brochures I picked up, and then had another nap (nap #2).

Then I got up. And off I went to have some lunch. I’m leading the life of Garfield today! (lazy cat with an attitude).

Lunch was nice! The sun came out after lunch an a went for a nice walk. My afternoon project was to buy and write post-cards, so found some nice postcards, some stamps and went back to my cave to write!

Afterward it was time for a quick walk to a mailbox.

Now it’s time to pack up for tomorrow’s journey. According to Google and my GPS, the trip from here to Kelowna is less than 400km. They can’t both be wrong. I estimate it will take me between 4 and 5 hours to get there so long as I don’t make any long stops. So if I leave around 7am, I should make it there around noon. This, of course is if the weather is sunny as expected. If it rains I will be much longer.

Well wish me luck. Not sure how easily I can update the blog when in Kelowna.

I slept in this morning – no really! I knew there was no rush. Weather was clearly not going to be very good, so I enjoyed a sleep until after 9am.

I must say one of the advantages of staying in this place is that there us no housekeeping. Therefore you are never disturbed by someone desperate to clean your room. I love that!

I did however have to wait an hour and a half to get a shower. Served me right for sleeping in!

By the time I made if out of my room it was already 11:15!

Weather was wet and typical bi-polar Nelson weather – raining one moment, and not the next.

I ambled through town, barefoot, and ended up back at the bead shop for a rainy day project. I was going to make Nicole a bracelet. I found beads that matched the theme of her new tattoo and very slowly made my way back my room.

I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to podcasts I downloaded before I left and made Nicole a bracelet.

Then, after such a stressful day, I needed a nap!

As I woke up I saw that the sun was poking out between the clouds. Like a reptile I made my way outside to soak up some sun.

I spent some more time walking, and then went for dinner.

After dinner I enjoyed a long walk, this time walking far up the hillsides, looking at old houses, churches, and enjoying the view. There doesn’t seem to be a boring house, or a boring street. Fantastic!

I can hardly imagine a more relaxed day.

Tomorrow I will need to find a new activity to keep me occupied.

Oh today was fun!

A reasonable rise @ 6:45am, quick shower, and a weather report from my sweetie via crackberry started the day.

The weather was sunny with a bit of cloud. Nothing concerning.

I had some breakfast out my squishy bowls, and a cookie (breakfast of champs), and off I went.

The ride to Balfour was wonderful. We had ridden this road in our previous trips, but it was always cold and rainy. Today it was great.

I got to the ferry terminal almost 50 minutes early. The terminal has several shops to while away the time. It felt like ten minutes and it was time to board.

The Balfour ferry is the longest free ferry ride in the world, serving 9 small towns on east Kootney Lake (Riondel, Kooteney Bay, Crawford Bay, Grey Creek, Boswell, Sanca, Twin Bays, and Wynndel). The towns are connected via a highway on the east side, but the highway is often impassable due to snow, and so the ferries are deemed an essential service.

The ferry is small, with enough room for perhaps 50 cars, and a very small space for passengers, both inside and out. The time between terminals is about 45 minutes.

I enjoyed the ride on deck. Passing the time taking photos for a family with thief malfunctioning camera and keeping the wind from stealing my hat.

The clouds were starting to get a little blumper above, but nothing concerning yet.

I had expected, due to some misleading marketing, that I would encounter community after community of interesting trinket shopping that would compel me not only to stop and drool, but also to involuntarily empty my wallet. Sadly aside from two small places, the first and the last, nothing could have been further from the truth.

These small “towns” were nothing more than a small Ma and Pa corner store, and an adjoining house or two. Maybe they kept the real town hidden somewhere away from those pesky motorcyclists.

Thankfully the drive was well worth the trip alone. Wonderful and curvey, and so perfectly empty! Since almost all the traffic in the area comes via the ferry, and much of that is local, it doesn’t take long for the streets to empty.

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Last night was hot! I was up until 1030 at least – sweating. I love the quality of our tent, but it’s not very breezy unless the cover is removed, and then everyone can see you.

I slept in a little – didn’t leave until 7:45am.

Weather was a bit cloudy but with rays of sun filtering though. The ride was wonderful. It’s my favorite stretch – anywhere! Clouds eventually gave way to beautiful clear skies and more heat! Temps were between 21 this am in higher elevations, and 29 – in Nelson (drip).

I went straight to the White House, a backpackers lodge right off the main drag in Nelson. It’s a great big house with several additions. I’m staying in a room to myself. It’s a little cozy room, with a bunk bed. I’m still trying to decide whether to stay on the top or the bottom bunk – OR, wait for it, – alternate – I do exciting things on my vacation! Let there be no doubt!

The room has a little table, and best of all, it’s nice and cool. Probably 10 degrees cooler than outside. The bathrooms and showers are shared, but they all have their own room, and they are very clean.

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I decided that when I woke up this morning, that I wasn’t going to check the weather. I was going to just get ready and go! I didn’t want to give myself a reason to worry. It didn’t work

I made the mistake of turning on the radio. The weather report painted a story of rain, high wind, and thunderstorms. Shit! If that wasn’t something to worry about.

The night before I had booked a room on a hostel in Nelson – a place called the White House – As you all know I love the USA and the president, and so this made me feel good. I digress. Its a private room room in a hostel, so it’s just like a hotel, except I have to share (hog) the bathroom. Anyway, since I already paid, I wasn’t about to back out, but I was worried I’d be rained on or that heavy rain would make the drive difficult.

I left, rather grumpy and tired, around 7:45am.

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OK, so, after a nice dinner, lots and lots of thought, a critical look at the weather forcast, and some stressing and worrying (cause you know I have to have a little of that or the day just isn’t complete!), I’ve decided to go to Nelson.

The weather looks like it will be ok, and after finding this place, which still had a private room available for the week, I decided that it would really enjoy my time even if it was raining, if I had a place I could go to that wasn’t a tent.   The room is just $50, which is only $15 more per night than the campsite…

I will leave Sunday morning, stay overnight in Osoyoos, and then stay in Nelson for the week…

If weather is good I’ll have many opportunities to go and explore roads around Nelson.. There are many.

Then on Friday I’ll head to Kelowna to meet Larry and his family and enjoy a couple nights camping in the back yard… Apparently there is also a hot tub to enjoy!!!

Well two days ago when Nicole took a look at the long range weather forcast for Nelson, Osoyoos, and Vancouver, the weather was fantastic. There was one day with a slight chance of rain, but otherwise things were great.

Today after work, I looked at the site again, and was very sad to see that the forcast had changed. Now most days have clouds and rain, and Monday, the day I was to me travelling the most, has thundershowers.

With this forcast I’m much less excited. Riding in the rain is not fun, and when it rains a little bit, it’s no big deal, but when it rains a lot, I wouldn’t be that great to be out.

I’m going to wait until tomorrow morning before I decide what to do. I was going to prep all my equipment tonight, but I think it would be be better to wait and see what the forcast does overnight.

Ok feeling quit blue about it.

Al