Canada/Alaska 2019-4: Kootenay Bay & Kaslo, BC

     We entered Canada on June27. We were relieved not to need US campgrounds for July 4, but we'd completely forgotten about Canada Day, July 1! So far, we've been lucky.

      The scenery along BC 3 just over the border was beautiful, until it disappeared in the clouds, fog, rain, and then hail. We're constantly surprised in the the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and British Columbia (BC) by what we consider high altitude weather and forests--which at home means 6,000 feet and above--as low as 2,000 feet.

Beautiful rock and forests along BC 3.

Old grain silos, Creston BC.

    After a break at a coffee house in Creston BC, where the locals commented on the weather constantly changing from sun to rain to wind to sprinkles back to sun, we pointed the van north up the east side of Kootenay Lake.

Lockhart Creek Provincial Park was nearly empty, and we claimed the perfect site.

Behind us was a fast-moving creek that cancelled out all the road noise.

     We put our plastic red gingham tablecloth on the table to reserve our spot, then headed further north to North Woven Broom Company in Crawford Bay. 

The company provided hundreds of handmade quidditch brooms for Harry Potter book and movie promotions.

They produces all kinds of brooms in all sizes--for floors, vans, golf shoes, dishes, you name it, they make it. It was fascinating watching the woman on the right make large brooms. She averages 20 a day and made 3 just in the 20 minutes or so we were there.

We really should have bought the quidditch broom with fire bolt (lightning bolt in American English), but we can always order one online.

After checking the ferry dock for the next morning, we returned to the campground and relaxed. Note, the awing is out. Think we are finally figuring out how to set it up.

After dinner walk on the Kootenay Bay Beach across the road.

      The next morning was leisurely, but we still made the 15 miles to the free Kootenay Bay Ferry in time for the 9:00 AM departure. 

The Kootenay River widens to form Kootenay Lake, which is also fed by other rivers. Further north, the river joins the Columbia. 

     Our destination was Kaslo, a sublime setting on the west side of Kootenay Lake.

After a couple of missteps due to erroneous app directions, we found a lovely spot at Kaslo's Municipal Campground. 

The hostess was amazing: she'd tried to return Doug's call even though she couldn't get the last four digits of his cell from his message.

The campground is a stone's throw from the lake, with a wonderful playground for the kids. It was a bit crowded but was quiet and had great showers.

     We had just leveled the van when a white Sprinter pulled in looking very familiar, and indeed, it was the woman who had camped next to us on Roosevelt Lake. Over the next couple of days we got to know Denise (right above) and her labradoodle Finn and enjoyed dinner out together one evening. 

Denise and Doug leapt up to meet the pup on the motorcycle and its owners. I hung back to record the momentous occasion. Well, actually, Doug took this picture.

     Kaslo is surrounded by hike/bike trails, so one morning we headed out on the Kaslo River Trail. It was so cool that at each end stood hiking poles to borrow for the trek.

It was about 3 miles roundtrip, with lots of ups and downs...

...and views of the rushing Kaslo River.

The community built 2 covered pedestrian bridges across the river. The Unity Bridge was funded with contributions from countries around the world.

Our 3rd night in Kaslo we relaxed at a local pub, gazing at an incredible view of lake and mountains. Could it get any better?

     In the morning, we had to say good-bye for now.