On the Road - Day 29

I asked the motel owner about the drop down road barriers (like at railroad crossings at home) and was told they are for closing HWY 1 when snow makes it too dangerous to pass. He told of being stranded with 10 people for four day a couple of winters ago. No power, phone, or water. Fortunately they had a freezer of food to feed everyone, and a barbecue on which to cook. He told us we would see salt sheds along the way - salt melts the snow from the road. Beautiful sunny day for our journey.

Along the way: At Spence Bridge (town) saw sign to watch out for Big Horn Sheep next 4 km. Unfortunately we didn't see any. -- There are no railings along the highway for sheer edges, except around curves. Had to use extra caution. -- Cache Creek is the Ginseng growing capital of the continent. -- Saw where the Canadian Northern Pacific last rail spike was driven.













As we moved northward the land became more and more arid, until trees were left behind and hills were covered with dusty palest-green sage brush. Then even that became sparse and it was like driving through a gravel pit, the hills gashed by slides and pleated by winds. A silty river flowed through this area. It had sheer sides so it was more like a channel. Also, a train track ran alongside the river. We saw six very long trains heading south in the time it took us to get to Cache Creek. Because we were going through wild, open and empty spaces, Vance & I sang, "Oh, give me land, lots of land, underneath the starry skies, don't fence me in." We could not think of the rest of the lyrics and began to laugh. I am sure Kim would know the words.

We stopped at the side of the road in Cache Creek for lunch - I made greens topped with 4 bean salad, and had cantaloupe and cherries. We shared an A & W root beer float for dessert, a real treat. Took a photo of "Herbie's Restaurant" for Val & Al to see, and show to Herbie, Missy Herb and L'il Guy (their stuffed frog family).

In Kamloops the temperature moved from comfortable to sweltering - in the 90s. Here we left Hwy 1 behind and headed north on Rt. 5, the Yellowhead Highway. Landscape became more green, though the same valley/mountains terrain. Saw irrigated farm land on the floodplain. Once we got above Barriere, landscape was wooded, with more gently sloped and shorter mountains, I found the green scenery more restful on my eyes. We saw hay in both rectangular and round bales. The bales are stored in a community blockhouse for winter cattle feed.

Arrived in Clearwater and followed signs to Dutch Lake RV Resort. Dined gourmet style at the Painted Turtle restaurant affiliated with the RV park. Our table was on the back porch overlooking Dutch Lake and the mountains. While Vance got his wallet, I sat and heard the cry of a loon! I soaked in the scene just as I did years ago vacationing on a lake in Maine. Those sweet summer images got me through the long winters. When Vance returned we ordered halibut with hollandaise sauce, vegetables, and a small Caesar salad. A nice light and tasty meal. A family of four loons glided regally past on their evening constitutional. They would dip their heads under the surface and, if spying something yummy, would dive.

Spoke with other diners, one family from Frankfort, Germany. Great 60s & 70s music in the background. Thought of Donn and how he would have enjoyed identifying the singers and groups we heard. On our way out we danced to a couple of the songs in an empty dining room which had a hardwood floor. Fun.

Headed back to the RV.


Ended at Dutch Lake Resort, Clearwater, B.C.
(Highway 5 between Kamloops and Jasper)
Odometer 60,523.3 (205.6) Total: 2378.8