Friday, August 3, 2018

Campers Haven BC to Okanagan Falls BC

Today was another travel day, as we wanted to get to Cathie's sister's place for the weekend. After an early start we stopped at a Denny's in Revelstoke BC for a breakfast from their Seniors menu, always good. The drive had been overcast, and it was drizzling when we got out of Denny's. Good news for the forest fire situation out here, and for the air quality. Air quality warnings are out due to smoke in southern areas in particular.

Awesome mountain views along TCH#1
 
Roger's Pass avalanche sheds

Some haze in the air
TCH#1 was quite busy all along the way, and that continued on south along #97. Along the way we realized that this was becoming the Friday afternoon of a summer long weekend! In Kelowna we stopped at the Costco for some supplies, and did manage (barely) to get a parking spot for the van in the very busy lot.

Lots of burned areas along the highway around Summerland, we're told from just a couple of weeks ago.

We found a shady spot in Penticton for a nap and a beach browse:

I wonder what the little castle on the hill would sell for? It overlooks Okanagan Lake to the left:

We'll be staying at Donna and Bob's for the weekend, and will likely not be blogging until we're underway again next week.

A few days ago I had shown a picture of some blue huts in a farm field, and asked what they might be. A reader commented that they are for bees in the field:

Here's some more info on them that I found online, courtesy of Reid Dickie:

"Here and there across the Canadian countryside you’ll see these bright blue shelters placed in patterns in pastures. Their openings all face the same direction and their presence has a rather otherworldy feeling about it. What are these things?
They are plastic shelters for alfalfa leaf-cutter bees, a native North American bee that has been domesticated. The blue dome is used in western Canada, variations in other parts of the continent. The shelters, usually found in alfalfa pastures, are needed for their warming ability and as a place for the bees to build their nests out of alfalfa leaves. One shelter for every 4 to 5 acres contains about a dozen nests."

 Today's route:


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9 comments:

  1. elaine allertonAugust 4, 2018 at 6:10 AM

    Great views!!
    Glad ur day better travels! Have a great weekend at donna and bobs!
    Thanks for sharing ur stories and adventures,,,
    Have never seen a magpie!!

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  2. The Furry GnomeAugust 4, 2018 at 9:24 AM

    I'm jealous!

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    Replies
    1. Gord and CathieAugust 4, 2018 at 10:19 PM

      We wish you were out here too. Maybe next year eh! Gord.

      Delete
  3. our awesome travelsAugust 5, 2018 at 8:27 AM

    What another fun day and good information on the bee huts thanks.
    I remember those avalanche sheds when driving that route back in the 70s a very scenic drive.

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    Replies
    1. Gord and CathieAugust 5, 2018 at 9:53 PM

      Yes it's sure great drive George. The TCH roads are likely better than back in the 70's (we didn't get out here until 1994), but still a challenging drive in places, even with our little van.
      Gord.

      Delete
  4. rutherossAugust 5, 2018 at 9:32 PM

    Amazing commentary and pictures as usual. Thanks so much for sharing your travels.

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    Replies
    1. Gord and CathieAugust 5, 2018 at 9:49 PM

      Thanks Ruth, glad to hear you're enjoying the blogs. Gord.

      Delete
  5. Al BossenceAugust 6, 2018 at 2:21 PM

    Hope you guys said 'Hello' to Vernon for me when you went through. I lived and worked in Vernon for a few years in the early 70's. If I would have had my druthers I'd still likely be there somewhere in the Okanagan Valley. I loved British Columbia, it was my kind of place......

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    Replies
    1. Gord and CathieAugust 6, 2018 at 4:10 PM

      Yep, we gave Vernon a Shout Out from you on our way through Friday Al. I bet it's a lot more built-up and busier around here than it was in the 70's!
      Gord.

      Delete

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