Canada/Alaska 2019-5: Oh, Canada!

We left Kaslo BC on Canada Day, July 1, thinking there'd be less traffic and a better chance of finding a campsite. Not only did our hunches prove true, but we were lucky to participate in Canada's national holiday, which celebrates the confederation of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario into a self-governing dominion of Great Britain in 1867. Ten years or so ago, we entered Montreal on Canada Day and quickly learned that it was also Moving Day, as in Quebec Province all leases end on June 30--so everyone moves on July 1.

Driving out of Kaslo with the usual (!) views of glaciers.

     We drove along Upper Arrow Lake, which is part of the Columbia River, for about 2 hours, to the Galena Bay Ferry Terminal. 

After a short wait, we drove aboard for our 4th ferry--we never miss the chance--and snugged in close behind a truck carrying two kayaks for the crossing--kayaks are ubiquitous in this part of BC.

     From our landing in Balfour, we drove north to Revelstoke. After grocery and t-shirt shopping (although I have plenty of clothes I just don't have the right t-shirts...), we happily discovered the Canada Day Parade coming down the street. 

A fire truck led off the parade...

followed by a cement mixer...

the Shriners...

the Rod and Gun Club with their salmon catch of the day

--or is it a salmon skate boarder?...

ATVs and a climbing club...

a sternwheeler...

and finally, Parks Canada with their mascot Parka, 

a female beaver, and another fire truck.

 

    We left Revelstoke on the Trans Canada Highway, which begins in Victoria, Vancouver Island, and ends in St. John's, Newfoundland. I had traveled it with my parents in 1972 from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Ste. Sainte Marie, Ontario. 

As their license plates state, British Columbia is beautiful!

     Having had such a great spot at Kaslo's Municipal Park Campground, we decided to try for a repeat in Golden. The campground was on the Kicking Horse River. We pulled in to see the "campground full," sign, but being optimists, we inquired at the office. We once again lucked out: they'd just received a cancellation, so we secured a grand campsite. 

The Canadian Pacific tracks were on the other side of the river.

Trees shaded the campground, and trails ran all through the area.

     We took advantage of the promised showers and laundry, which had been promised, and found there was a Canada Day BBQ besides!

And live music by a local group, followed by Amy Bishop and the Hopeless Sinners.

Everyone dressed in red...

including the dogs...

and a friend found Doug.

And then, around 11:00 PM, when it was finally dark, amazing fireworks lit the sky, their booms reverberating off the mountains. While I thrilled to the visual display, Doug absolutely loved the sound.