Kaslo more than meets the eye

There are so many raspberries at Leah and Jordie’s place, I started the day picking them so I could put them on my muesli. 

Leah, Norm’s niece and Norm in the new exciting kitchen, love the tiles.  They moved in just one month ago and already it looks so homey and welcoming. 

The bathroom 

Even the guest room we slept in was cozy. Jordie built the bed frame 3 days ago. Hey just in time for us! 

They have lots of outdoor space with flower beds, strawberries, raspberries, vegetables and more. 

A cute first time home for them with lots of room to fix up both the upstairs and basement......one day. 

Leah took us on a trail tour to downtown Kaslo. There are many waking and mountain bike trails some along the Kaslo River. 

Beside the river.

Before Covid, Kaslo had a sports day with axe throwing, pole climbing and log rolling. Maybe next year. 

Into town for coffee and ice cream

Right near the lake, so beautiful. 

More walking to the river trail and covered bridge. You’d almost think you were in Switzerland! 

A bridge close up- perfect. 

Once home, time to cool off, have lunch and relax before heading off to the Langham Theatre Museum and Art Gallery. Built in 1893. It once housed the Japanese during WWII. 

Fascinating information on the internment camps. Such an awful part of our history. 

Now to cool off in the lake. Ahhhhhhh so hot here.

Check this out - man, dog and a paddle board. 

Must be time for dinner. Leah says Serge’s has the best fries in town. Without a doubt! Burgers too

It seems only right that we should finish the day with another ice cream. So we did, trust me, no photos this time. 

Tomorrow - Salmon Arm- more Gidneys. 

Nelson, Kaslo and a promise of rattlesnakes

We started our day early with a 45 minute hike up the hill behind Martin’s. He promised me rattlesnakes today. Unfortunately (?) we didn’t see any but had a fresh cool mountain air walk. 

Breakfast was Martin’s famous blueberry pancakes. And those were blueberries we picked yesterday! 

Off we headed to Nelson for lunch with my friend, Rivkah. Sitting outside under cover with a little breeze at the Vienna Cafe seemed to lessen the 38’. We did a little shopping on the very busy touristy Baker Street and an all important stop for coffee at Oso Negro, a must in Nelson. 

Onwards to Kaslo to see another Gidney. Leah Gidney and her partner Jordan who just moved into a wonderful 1903 house on Washington Street. Photos tomorrow. So hot we headed to the Kootenay Lake for a swim. It was really refreshing! 

Leah slowly getting in.

Norman, Jordie and Leah. 

And me! 

2 rivers, 3 swims

You know you’re on holidays when you have ice cream 3 days in a row. 

Norm and Martin on the deck with their morning coffee before breakfast. 

Next Martin has us doing chores, blueberry and raspberry picking. Well not really chores but once we finished we got to go swimming!! 

Maybe a little bit of tasting. 

First swim, just us at the Kettle River, so clear and refreshing! 

Martin found a fishing rod today and many other items over the years. 

Norm saying hi. 

I just got out. 

Home for lunch and off to the next river, the Granby. 

Note the backdrop of black slag, leftovers from the copper smelter. It’s all owned by the city of GF, which Martin says has made considerable revenue from selling the stuff for sandblasting abrasives and for manufacturing rock wool insulation. Despite all the black stuff, the water is clean, clear and so refreshing! Love it!

Next stop is at Tastie Treat for ice cream. It tasted so good. 

Time to relax at home, have dinner and then off for our last swim of the day. This time Oso gets to come so he can cool off. Again the Granby River but different location. Maybe a bit cooler but still perfect. 

I told Martin that his rating for our stay is definitely five stars! Thanks!! 

Made it to Grand Forks

We spent last night in Langley with wonderful hospitable hosts, Sue and Ken. We sat in their back yard relaxing with drinks then had a delicious dinner. In the morning, check out this breakfast!

Buckwheat waffles with blueberries and bacon. 

Off we headed to Chilliwack for our first Gidney visit,

Yes Gidney Signs. 

Good visit and lunch served too. 

Darlene, Nick and Norman.

Back on the road again. Next stop Manning Park. Weather getting warm, 28’

This is the closest we got to real wild life. And a chance to sit down and relax......

The temperature kept climbing as we drove east. Quick stop to cool off. While I soaked my toes Norm picked up garbage near by. What a guy! 

By the time we got to Osoyoos the temperature was 38’. OMG we aren’t used to this heat. Thank goodness for air conditioning. 

Here we are now in Grand Forks with Martin. Dinner of salmon, potatoes, salad and blueberry crisp. Yummy! After dinner we walked up the hill behind the house with Martin and Oso, the dog, and his bear banger, fortunately not needed this time. 

Not sure if being the last one down the hill is the safest spot.... but I didn’t see any bears, skunks, cougars, coyotes... which Martin has seen before. 

Day one in Vancouver

I would say the ferries are back to 100% capacity. Fortunately we had a reservation since every ticket booth said the same thing.....

And please remember to read Covid-19 instructions. Four yeses and a no are the correct answers.

A beautiful day to travel even staying in our car on deck 4. Norm found his way upstairs for a second breakfast, and kept watch while masked.

Day one of our tour of B.C. began with lunch with the newlywed couple, Richard and Sukhia, at their place at 11th and Main. ( plus house guest, Ellie). The lunch was better than any restaurant— bagels, lox, capers, avocado, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, cream cheeses, hummus, cherries, grapes, .... you get the idea! 

The happy couple 


It was great to catch up on their adventures (mountain biking at Whistler), check out their classy apartment with views of City Hall and the north shore and find out what might be next for them. 

We also met Ellie who 3 weeks ago fell 20+ metres when rock climbing. She is recovering from a crushed knee, broken fingers, damaged spine, broken elbow and more. Nice to share a meal with her! 

Had to take a picture of the wedding gift we gave Rich and Sukhia, a painting by my nephew Steve Baylis. It looks amazing in their home!