MT CURRY BC

Tammie and I got out and away during the week. We hopped in the Jeep and headed for Mt Curry which is about 40k’s north of Whistler.


It is a different drive in the Jeep as opposed to the van we previously drove. Where the van was all luxury and automation the Jeep is all muscle and grunt. Just the week before we had the top off but since that time the weather had turned nasty and we had received a lot of rain so the top was back on.

We went the usual route that takes us to Vancouver and there were still scraps of snow on some of the higher Rocky Mountain passes. The route differed when we arrived at the town of Merritt as we then travelled on a secondary highway that took us through some absolutely spectacular country that included snowy mountain peaks and vivid blue lakes.


The road was winding with various steep inclines which of course led to sometimes perilous downhill slopes with sheer drops to the valleys below. We forded a number of streams that bubbled and boiled and were encased within a corridor of pine trees. On a bleak day such as the one we travelled on it gave the scene an eerie look.

As we grew closer to Mt Curry we were surprised to see a large number of people walking or biking along the roadway and they always had a fishing rod hanging over their shoulder. Most of these people were natives who have the right to fish in the local waterway. It must be a popular local pastime as I don’t think I have ever seen so many fishermen on their way to or from the event.
We stayed the first night at a town called Pemberton as Mt Curry doesn’t have accommodation. The hotel was fine and we hit the hot tub but were interrupted by a large party who had just finished a mountain biking competition. We were later told that the Pemberton-Whistler area is the mountain biking capital of Canada.

The next day we headed back towards home on a lazy loop. We followed the same route for the first 120k’s and were constantly thwarted along the way by numerous RV’s. In the colder months you hardly see an RV but once there is a hint of warmth in the air they take to the road like migrating geese. Some move along at a good pace, but it seemed that all of those we encountered were either on steep, winding roads or were just out for a leisurely drive.


The country was once again mountainous and bordered by lakes that changed in colour from deep blue to a light aqua. Just as suddenly we were in the desert country of the Okanagan region and the terrain changed from a lush green to a dusty brown and the river that ran through this area had a dirty muddy look to it.

Late in the afternoon we stopped for the night at a small town call Savona, where we had booked into a bed and breakfast that was highly recommended on Trip Advisor. We certainly weren’t disappointed as the grounds were beautiful and the room was warm and cozy. The rain continued to tumble down but that didn’t dampen our spirits at all.

We had a quiet night in and had our breakfast the next day in the gazebo overlooking the lake. Mid-morning we headed off for home via Kamloops. The drive was easy as we were now on the Trans Canada Highway for part of the way and then the major southern highway, 97.


All in all it was a peaceful few days away and another opportunity for me to see a little more of beautiful British Columbia.

KEREMEOS RODEO

It was a long weekend in Canada and I was reliably told it was the weekend that everyone hit the roads and the beach. The former may have been correct as the roads were busy but the latter was wrong as for much of the holiday weekend it was windy, cold and drizzly.

There was no soccer this weekend so Tammie and I hit the stores for some much needed shopping. Our major purchase was a two seat garden setting that is ideal for our backyard panorama. The problem was getting it home as we no longer have the seven-seater van, only the small Jeep. We also had to pick Mac up from work so she had to be squished into the backseat with a chair on her lap.

But that’s not all folks. The weekend before when it was 26c we had taken the top off the TJ. On Saturday it was 14c and it started to rain on our way home.

Mac wasn’t a happy passenger on the trip home.

We had to return to the store on Sunday to pick up Tammie’s new laptop computer. Now setting up a new computer should be easy, well you would think so in this day and age. Alas, it was a pain in the arse. The signs were bad when Tammie couldn’t find the on/off switch and had to ask me to help her. Then she couldn’t log into Hotmail or load her new virus protection. There was a lot of gnashing of teeth and deep breaths before we had it all somewhat sorted out.


On Monday Tammie and I went to the Keremeos Rodeo. Keremeos is about a 35 minute drive from OK Falls and what a picturesque drive it is. High, pine-covered mountains were linked by pretty blue lakes. The sun was shinning and the top of the TJ was down which allowed us an unrestricted view of the beautiful sights along the way. You just know a particular spot is great when you say that you would like to live there.

Keremeos is no more than a quiet village and has a population of probably 2,000 people. The town has a good feel to it and I would say that the rodeo is the biggest event of the year.

The rodeo grounds were hidden away at the back of the town. Whichever way you looked you were confronted by towering mountain peaks. A cold wind blew across the rodeo arena kicking up dust devils that gave the afternoon a cool bite.

Now I am far from a rodeo expert. Actually this is only the second rodeo I have ever attended the first being in Omak, Washington last August for the famous Omak Suicide Race. The two events were chalk and cheese. Whereas Omak was all grand stands and infrastructure Keremeos made do with wooden stands with no cover. At Omak there were concession and souvenir stands everywhere, whilst at Keremeos there was a small food stand that was manned by local volunteers. Thousands attended Omak whilst perhaps 500 were in the stands at Keremeos.

It is at events such as the Keremeos Rodeo that you see the real difference between Canada and America. One is all big, bustling and look at me while the other is non-descript and laid-back without pretension.


I think I like the Canadian version the best.


So we saw lots of bulls and men. Sorry cowboy’s being thrown from bulls. We also lots of cowgirls and a variety of horses. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the rodeo was the roped off beer-garden as that is where all the really interesting people hung out. I had a birds eye view from the stands where I sat and there were some truly strange dudes within the roped off confines.

We finished off the holiday weekend by taking a trip to Tammie’s beach at OK Falls. Once again it was almost bare as the warm weekend weather never eventuated, but that meant we had the beach to ourselves. Matilda had a ball chasing ducks and geese and charging into the water chasing sticks and crackers meant for the ducks. She had even more fun when another dog came and played with her. They chased each other across the park, ducking, weaving and rolling on the soft grass.


What a great way to finish off the weekend!

akmacca08@live.com.au

FIRST DIP OF THE SEASON

Quiet time in downtown OK Falls these past few weeks. Cameo played soccer last weekend and her team found a way to lose a game they shouldn’t have. Coach Tammie yelled and cajoled but it was to no avail at all. Cameo did score a goal though so that is some consolation.

On the soccer front Cameo went and had a try out at a local soccer academy and she has now been well and truly inoculated with the soccer bug (not to mention the cute boy’s at the Academy). We have spent the week to the sound of soccer balls bouncing off the walls in her downstairs flat. We also get a constant update of how many times she can juggle the ball.



If this week is any indication she has the determination to make it.



Tammie and I went for our first swim of the season on Sunday. It was a balmy 26c but the water was freezing. Not much of a crowd at the beach, but I am sure it will build in the coming weeks as the weather warms up. The top is off on the jeep now so we are hoping for fine and warm weather going forward.

 

It is the Victoria Day long weekend and we are considering going to the Keremeos Rodeo on Sunday it will all depend what the weather is like.


Next week we make a flying visit to Currie Mountain which is near Whistler. Apparently it is beautiful country there so I am looking forward to that little adventure.

 

Looking forward into the future we have a busy 3-4 months with prom, high school graduation, family visits, a trip for the girls back East, two of my son’s visiting as well as some scenic holidays. That will give us just enough time to draw breath before a holiday in Australia before I undertake some Air Force training. Busy, busy.

CANADA - (SLIGHT) DISLIKES

The good things about living in Canada far outweigh the bad and in my last blog I detailed what I liked about living here. These are some of the things that I don’t like.


Tipping: I really, really don’t like tipping for every meal, cab ride or sundry other services I receive in Canada. In Australia tipping is the exception rather than the rule and you only tip for excellent service. In Canada you may just as well add 10-20% straight off to any restaurant bill regardless of the service. Tipping here is universal and widespread and it constantly throws me into a state of confusion as to whether I should tip or not. I do but I don’t like it.


The People: In my list of likes, Canadian people were number one and they are a great bunch of people. If anything though they are too nice. Things don’t get said or done because of the Canadian fear of being considered not very nice. An example of this is when you come to a four way intersection and nobody wants to go as they are all giving way. “You first,” no you go,” “oh I couldn’t possibly go before you. You go please.” Would someone just hurry up and move!


Driving: Many Canadian motorists don’t like to indicate to turn or change lanes. It is both dangerous and annoying and I don’t know why they do it.


Beaches: Where I come from beaches have golden sand, large frothy waves and saltwater. In the Okanagan a beach is the edge of any water. No people, that is the lakeshore and not a beach.


Pennies: I hate the little copper things. Just today I bought something and it came to $20.01. Unbelievable! Do what Australia did 20 years ago Canada and get rid of the pennies. In Australia you just round up or down to the zero or five. Simple! Whilst on money since I have been here I have only ever had a $50 bill a few times. I draw $500 from an ATM and every time it spits out $20 bills. Some shops state that they won’t accept $50 bills. Why have $50 notes at all?


Food: Some foods just don’t taste the same. That’s to be expected. Meat is super expensive here and I thought Canada was a major meat producer? It also appears that most fruit and vegetables are imported from just about everywhere.


Footy: They don’t play “proper” footy in Canada. I miss my Australian rules, rugby league, and rugby. I spend many long nights over a computer screen waiting for the screen to refresh.


Mail: The postman doesn’t deliver to your house you have to go to a central point to collect your mail.


Taxes: A common dislike. Whereas in Australia the tax is incorporated in the price here in Canada it isn’t. Time after time I get caught out by the “hidden” tax. The price on the ticket says $24.00 but when you get to the register to pay you get slugged for $27 odd dollars.


Eh!: Just how many sentences can you finish off with the exclamation “eh.” Canadians just love this little “word” and use it whenever they can.

Take all of the above with a grain of salt as I said before the good points of Canada far outweigh these few little nigglers.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT CANADA

What I like about Canada:




The people. Well I have to say that I suppose but it is true Canadian’s are just about the  nicest and most polite people on the planet.



The lakes. They are everywhere here in the Okanagan. Cool and clear with the reflections of mountains glistening on the surface. They are both a summer and winter playground and form a chain of wonder that runs through the region.



Mountains. They form a wonderful backdrop to the sparkling lakes. The sheer granite bluffs are magnificent and shame some of the hills we call mountains in Australia. I see them everywhere and I want to climb every one of them.



Seasons. Hot summers and cold winters as it should be. Winters where snow carpets everything and the lakes freeze. The autumn/fall where trees wear a resplendent array of colourful cloaks and the autumn leaves drop to the ground leaving a multi-coloured carpet behind. Summers that are dazzingly hot and encourages you to take a dip in the clear-watered lakes. Spring where the lilacs and sunflowers bloom and the trees spout an abundance of ne foliage.



Wildlife. There are deer everywhere, walking down the road and in the front gardens. Big horn sheep that perch majestically on rocky outcrops. There are bear and cougar too but I am still searching for them.


Supermarkets. It is just different. Just a few tiny things that make shopping in supermarkets a treat. Similar products with different names.



Ice Hockey. I like it. Is this the fastest game on earth.



Curling. Once a doubter but now a believer.



A&W. My favourite fast food chain. Love those Uncle Burgers.



Roads. Generally they are great. The road over the Rockies from the Okanagan is a wonder.






There are many more likes but this will do for now. Of course if there is a like list there has to be a dislike list. That will be in the next blog. Perhaps it would be wiser to wait until I am back in Australia to publish the dislike list!

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

You don’t have to be a meteorologist to predict that the warm weather is now with us. As the tell-tale signs abound around this part of British Columbia.


Firstly the roads are starting to be jammed with RV’s of all shapes and sizes.


In the colder months it is rare to see a RV on the road as most are stored away awaiting the warmer weather. RVing appears to be a way of life here in Canada. You see them parked in so many suburban front yards or lining the numerous RV parks. Many are the size of a Greyhound bus and cost hundred’s of thousands of dollars. They are mansions on wheels. Others are a little smaller but no less well-appointed.


At the bottom of the RV food chain are the fifth wheelers, camper trailers and camper vans. Even so these come in a variety of sizes, shapes and value. It is not uncommon as you drive the roads around the Okanagan to come upon a line of five or more RV’s. These are usually driven by senior citizens who either strictly adhere to the speed limit or insist on traveling 10-20 kilometers below the speed limit which results in a long line of frustrated drivers who because of the narrow lakeside and mountain roads have little opportunity to pass.

Not that I have anything against RV’s and those that drive them. I don’t even resent those who drive an RV which have a little runaround car hitched to the back and a swag of pushbikes staked to the front.


As a matter of fact I am thinking of getting a RV. A cheap one of course, and taking it for a scoot around the countryside. I kinda like the idea of just stopping where the fancy takes me, beside a mountain stream or overlooking the ocean and of course I think it would be cool making a sandwich or a cup of coffee in the back of the RV whilst you are choofing down the highway.


Another sure harbinger of the warmer months is the proliferation of cyclists you see on the roads. The Okanagan is the cycling capital of Canada and in the warmer months they flock to the roadways like lemmings to a cliff. They appear to be everywhere, from the busiest highway to the obscure back road.

In British Columbia pedestrians and cyclists have ownership of the road regardless of the circumstance, so those groups can do whatever they please. It is not unusual around here for a pedestrian to walk across the road without care or mind for the traffic. It is up to the driver of the vehicle to see them and take evasive action.


Bike riders are quite happy to sit three and four abreast chatting away as traffic piles up behind them, whilst frustrated car drivers look for an opportunity to pass them. Many bike riders here in the Okanagan believe the roadway is theirs and ride accordingly.

So if a driver finally manages to pass a group of cyclists their relief is short lived as they now come upon a line of ponderous RV’s tooting down the highway. All you can do then is turn the air conditioning up and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

HELSINKI

How time flies! Earlier today as I was loading some new photo’s onto my computer when I came across a group of photo’s I took last year when I travelled to Finland and Russia. I looked at the date and was surprised to see that it was almost exactly a year since I had travelled to those two countries.



At the time I was working in the remote Aboriginal community, located in East Arnhem Land of the Northern Territory. I had some leave up my sleeve, found a reasonably priced flight to Finland whilst I was looking for somewhere to go and thought why not?

The trip was a marathon. A seven hour trip mainly by dirt road to Darwin was followed by a five hour flight to Sydney. I had a five hour wait there until I boarded my Finnair flight bound for Helsinki. For the life of me I can’t remember if I had a stopover on the way and if so where. The flight all up took around 20hours.



As you can imagine I was pretty zonked by the time I climbed off the plane in Finland. There was still snow on the ground but not a lot and the temperature was around 10c. The airport was modern and I had no problem getting a cab in the early afternoon.



The first real surprise I got was the taxi cab’s. They were all brand new BMW’s and Mercedes. My cab driver was a young, blonde Finn woman who spoke immaculate English. A refreshing change from everywhere else in the world I have visited.



I only spent three days in Helsinki and that was more than enough. I stayed close to the city heart in a hotel which had once been Helsinki’s main prison. When the hotel was decommissioned it lay vacant for many years before it was bought and developed into a high class hotel.

 

The walls between the cells were removed to provide more space but the basic layout of the cell remained. The interior was lavish as was the bathroom but lying back upon my bed you couldn’t forget that you were indeed in a cell. To retain some of the mystique of it’s prison days names and graffiti which had been carved into the wall remained as a reminder of it’s prison past.



The corridors of the hotel were still tiered, prison style, with all of the original ironwork. It was somewhat eerie but magnificent sight. Of course the hotel restaurants were themed around prison and inmates. All in all it is one of the best hotels I have stayed in.

It was an easy walk into the city centre which was a mixture of both old and new. The newer buildings were only mid-sized with no towering skyscrapers. The Helsinki Cathedral is probably the most prominent building and symbol of the city. It is a huge, white painted building that sits atop a small hill near the centre of the city.

 

I took a 40 minute scenic trip on a ferry to the historic sea-fortress of Suomenlinna which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Construction of the fortress began in 1748 as a protector against Russian expansionism. Tourists are free to roam the extensive fortifications and several museums.



The military presence of the island has been scaled down over the years and now the island is home to some 900 inhabitants and 350 workers. Finnish low-security prisoners carry out most of the maintenance on the island.

The rest of my time was spent wandering around and visiting some of the museums. The weather was cold and bleak which made the city a little uninviting, so I was glad to catch my early morning BMW cab (driven again by a young blonde woman) to the airport.



I passed through Finnish customs without any problems and boarded my flight for the two hour trip to Moscow.

akmacca08@live.com.au