Osoyoos

Oct 1,2.,3

  This is wine country. There are 120 vineyards in 120 miles. Wow!. Jan and I visited several including the well known Jackson Triggs and Inniskillen wineries. Each one let us samlple 4 wines, however I believe Jan got 5 in at Inniskillen.

We stayed at NK'Mip campground. It's an Indian name as the entire region has a large population of Indian tribes. We toured their Indian Cultural Center and outdoor displays that are frequently inhabited by Rattle snakes. I wanted to see one, Jan definitely didn't. Jan won.

The town of Osoyoos, although in a semi desert is on lake Okanogan which makes it a very attractive town. If it stayed warm all year I think we could live there.

Kelowna via Vernon

Sept. 30 ( Jan's Birthday)

Stopped in Vernon to see Jan's cousin Wayne and his wife Trudie. Served us a great lunch and Jan enjoyed a glass of birthday wine on the terrace of their beautiful home. Very nice people.

 Left Vernon and missed a turn to our campground. Turned of in Kelowna and found Bear Creek Provincial park. Nice spot but no water or power. No problem , we carry drinking water and a Coleman stove/bbq. Also have lights that work of a 12 volt battery in the camper.

Had a bond fire, ate bbqd sausage, enjoyed a glass of wine and had an early night. Next morning we walked along the beach with the girls who followed a pair of ducks ad they swam long the beach. Enjoyed our “boon docking experience”

Kamloops

Sept 28,29

Silver Sage Campground was located in an industrial area of town and contained a lot of “permanent/seasonal trailers. Not a good first impression. However when we got to our spot we were pleasantly surprised and got a nice spot backing on to the Thompson River.

The river had a nice beach that was deserted so the dogs could run to their hearts content. There were signs og a bear on the beach, however to park owner said it was destroyed several weeks ago because it attacked a ranger. On the last day there, Jan took the girls to the beach and found fresh bear tracks and scat. Better watch out Mr. Ranger.

Did a quick tour of Kamloops and decided it wasn't our type of town.

Valemount B.C

Sept.27

Left Jasper and crossed into BC. Stopped to take some pictures of Mount Robson.

Pretty tired so decided to hit a Super 8 in Valemont BC. Got a nice room, 2 beds, TV, hot shower, free breakfast and a place to do our laundry. The place was so small there was not 1 stoplight in town.

However we had a good sleep and clean laundry.

Jasper

Sept.26

Take highway 1 A and  highway 93 ,the scenic routes from Lake Louise to Jasper. Every stop along the way would make a great postcard.

Off course we had to stop at the Columbia Ice fields, take the tour and sample the pure glacier water. I'm glad I did it once but wouldn't pay to do it again.

We stayed at the Whistler campground in Jasper National Park. We received the standard warning a bout bears; leave your campsite clean, leave no food out and hide your coolers ( the ones made by Coleman not Smirnoff). Also beware of Elk. it is the "rut" which, for you non naturalist. means mating season. Say at least 30 meters away from any Elk. Males will attack you as well as your car or RV. Great advice. We leave the office make a wrong turn and come face to face with Elk1. Get back on track make a correct turn and meetElk 2. Find our parking spot and find Elk 3 crossing the road towards our campsite. Perhaps the Elk should be told to stay 30 meters away from people.

Took a ride on the Jasper tram (gondola) to 7472 ft. above sea level. ( the only other time I got that high was on an airplane...that's my story and I'm sticking to it). Jan, closed her eyes and joined me and the girls Great view of Jasper and Mount Robson ( the highest mountain in the Rockies). Spent some time in town but didn't find it that interesting. good place to go if you're looking for expensive outdoor gear and Clothing.

Lake Louise

Sept 24,25

Tried to visit Moraine lake day 1. Couldn't get near the place, parking lot was full and cars were parked 2 miles up the road. On the way there had to stop and let a partridge family cross the road. ( no not that one, actual birds)
The next day we got there and the place was almost deserted. ( maybe because it was raining on and off ).

Did take a few pictures and enjoyed the view. Actually it's a much nicer place to visit than the more famous Lake Louise

Banff

Sept.21,22,23
Will that be a day pass or seasonal pass? Day pass $20.00 per/day required for everyday you are any where in the national park ( not just campgrounds) or a yearly pass for $136.00? Opted for the 136.00 pass.

Stayed in the Mountain Campground which was fairly busy especially by foreign tourist driving rented RV units. lots of Germans, Swiss, French and Brits. I also eaves dropped on a pair of ladies from Holland. Then I walked by and said "hello ladies from Holland" One lady looked at me and asked " can you tell that by just looking at us?" No I said, but I can tell by listening to you.

We were warned about bears and coyotes in the park. Of course we didn't see any. The first night there we walked a trail along the bush and stumbled upon a female Elk, her calf and a bull Elk.The bull grunted angrily and ran of with the calf. The female stood her ground and gave us the evil eye. She was wearing a collar which I assumed was for tracking purposes. We stayed a few minutes and left her alone. Later I learned a collar is used to identify overly aggressive Elk . mmmm.

Although buses run into Banff from the Park, they don't take dogs so we drove the camper in. Loved the town, lots of nice shops and restaurants.saw the Banff Springs Hotel. What an impressive building.
we finished of the day with a tour of the Museum of animals.

Great place to send a few days.