May 23 - Day 17 to Cranbrook

 Made it to Cranbrook!!!  105 km with almost 900m of elevation gain.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, most of it was continuous 1-2% grade, with some hills thrown in, and about 500m down.  I didn’t take any photos today as I was rushing to get into Cranbrook to replace my cycling gloves that I lost in Nelson a few days ago.  I forgot about the time change about half way here…..so then I was really rushing!

The weather was good…Goldilocks weather-not too hot not too cold….just right.  It rained for about 30 min but I didn’t bother to put on my jacket.  After I replaced my gloves I had an early dinner then headed to the campground.  It’s not very nice here….full of weeds that are overgrown, I just have a small patch of grass that just fits my tent, the check-in person was surly.  I just wasn’t impressed….but then I went into the wash house and the bathroom shower room is spectacular, free showers, they have body lotion for my dry legs…..and outside the bathrooms is a large sofa and a TV…..so not so bad after all!  

Tomorrow the plan is Fernie.  Then Crowsnest Pass on Sunday night…..and then that will be it for the mountains.  I know that I’m going to the prairies….but I really wanted the mountains to continue in a way.  Not just for the beauty…but for the challenge of all the hills.  16 days of cycling in the mountains and I feel myself getting stronger.  I hope that I can keep going the way I have, and that I don’t feel the need for rest days.  The one weather day really bothered me….i didn’t want to take it, but hindsight I’m glad I did.  Thanks for all the texts and comments….they often make me cry….but it’s good to get rid of the extra water, and it clears out my ducts!!!!  So thank you everyone ❤️❤️❤️❤️

May 22 - Day 16 to Creston - 1239.6 km total

Made it to Creston!!!!  Whoop Whooop….a bit of a long day, about 100 km and over 850 m total.  Ok….wild animal count…I saw a deer today and yesterday I saw three elk, so the total count is 5 deer, 3 elk, a black bear (ok I didn’t see it because my head was down….but it was there!), numerous slugs - lots of rain, and lots of road kill-banana peels in various stages of decay!!!  Almost one every 10 km!  

Yesterday and today I rode roads that I’ve ridden on my motorcycle numerous times, but it’s different on the bike…. I saw and smelt so much more.  The lilac bushes are all in bloom…the smell of freshly cut grass…the smell of cedar on the logging trucks.  Plus I could actually see peoples yards.  I’m really enjoying this trip, seeing old places with fresh eyes.  

Tonight in Creston

I connected with an old friend….such a lovely evening.  Catching up on each other’s lives….it was great!  

The next two days are really big days.  Tomorrow is Cranbrook the next day is Fernie.  Then I will relax after a short day in Blairmore at a friends cabin….looking forward to sitting in a comfortable chair to write my blog instead of leaning over the sink in the bathroom because it’s the only warm place!!!  

Thanks for all the texts and encouragement today. 

 I made it to the ferry just in time….a bit of a cold night, plus I was all alone in the camping area….with a fast running creek beside me so I slept with my bear spray beside me!!!!  After the ferry is a steep hill….then I’m off to Creston.  The ride this morning was spectacular…..the lake was like glass.  Such a beautiful area….and the other side ….most of the way to Creston there are homes, a few artisan shops, coffee shops, grocery stores.  This is really a magical area.  

May 21 - Day 15 to Kokanee Creek

I decided to spend the night at the Kokanee creek campground for two reasons.  First, I was going to be really late getting into Crawford bay, setting up my tent  in the dark, and at this campground, there’s a free spot for bike packers.  Someone who used to cycle camp bequeath money for a shelter to be build, and to allow hikers and bike packers to stay for free.  I found some food at the gas station, heated some water for the dehydrated food and some tea!  Yummy. 

Today was a great day, all in my own.  I took a different road than highway 3A, I took Blewett road.  A gorgeous road that was fairly quiet….but there was a lot of extra elevation gain….good training!!!  😂😂😂

For the motorcycles coming this way…this is a great little road.  As you see in the pictures, the sun was shining most of the day, and I was warm!!!!  Cycling in my t-shirt most of the day.  I took it easy today, going slowly and just enjoying where I was.  Such a fun day!  

Selling eggs

Beautiful scenery 

I made it to Nelson, and my bike is currently in the shop, I need a new chain already.  Hopefully they can get it done today. Crawford Bay is looks less likely now ☹️.  

 The plan is Crawford bay tonight.  Hopefully I’ll have service most of the way so that you can see where I am.  Leaving soon, just finishing breakfast.  I was a little light on food yesterday.  Even at dinner last night I couldn’t eat much….feeling it today.  So I’ll likely make lots of stops for food 😀

May 20 - Day 14 to Castlegar

Summit sign so far away

Sunny skies….temporary!!!

A nice little spot 

I was certain this was going to be a weather day….but I made it to Castlegar.  I’m so happy I’m here but it was a very difficult day.  

The plan was to get up at 0600, ready to roll at 0700.  It poured rain all night, and when I woke up at 0600….there was no sign of it letting up.  My fly moved a bit because I was sleeping on a wooden pole platform, and I wasn’t able to stake the fly, so the bottom of my sleeping bag got wet….not a big problem…. I don’t use the bottom 1/3 anyways!!!!  

I settled in for a weather day…..at 0715 the Quebec boys came to tell me that they were leaving….they could see some blue sky!!!!  It took me 0.5 seconds to decide that I was going too.  They were already packed and on their way to breakfast.  I quickly packed up….my tent was soaking wet, but I rolled it up….wrung out some of the water, and I was ready to go.  

I didn’t want to waste time with breakfast, so I bought a cookie and two homemade granola bars, ate half of one and I was in the way.  At 5 km was the start of the big hill…..the biggest hill….a monster hill…and I wasn’t even afraid!  1100 meters over 22 km.  There had been two smaller hills with 150 meters before the monster.  

I started…and was pleasantly surprised….2-3% grade….things were going well.  A bit of rain, but mostly sun, so I stripped down to my t-shirt….and kept on going.  Eventually I noticed that I had done 2/3 of the distance but only half of the elevation gain.  That can only mean one thing…..the majority of the elevation gain was at the end….ughhhh!!!!  This is when it started to rain….then hail….then snow….then more rain!  Eventually I made it to the top….i was looking for the sign….eventually I found it….across the ditch - high up on the slope…too far away for a selfie!  Well I tried anyways.  

Now I was ready for the downhill…..but it was cold.  I put all my clothes back on, and full gloves…..and I froze for the 2 hours it took to get down.  I was so happy to get to the campground and hop into a hot shower.  Luxury!!!!  I hung my tent to dry out, and the campground lady put us under a shelter!  So kind.   

Now we are in a pub….warm and dry, and finally some food.  All I ate today was 1 1/2 granola bars, and the cookie, and two bottles of water.  I am ready for a bacon cheese burger and a beer!!!  So glad the day is done, and so glad I did it!  Plan for tomorrow is Nelson then part way to Balfour ferry.  

Most of the way there wasn’t any service, so I received all the texts and comments near the end….just when I needed it most….thank you!!!!!  

May 19 - Day 13 - Weather Day

 Hello….well today is a weather day. ☹️. I was really hoping to not have to stop for anything….but today is a weather day.  The legs and body are good to go, but it’s really cold and nasty out here today.  The plan for today was Castlegar, but 80km and 1300m with no place to stop in between….and there’s a special weather advisory for Paulson Pass and they are calling for snow.  ❄️. It’s not the May long weekend if there isn’t snow somewhere!!!  😀😀😀

After a long discussion with Stewart who’s been checking the weather for me…. I decided to stay put for at least today, and maybe tomorrow too.  The problem is that there’s no place to stop along the way, no town or gas station…nothing.  So if I run into problems….it might not be pleasant.  So I’m going to catch up on my journaling and rest up and think warm thoughts!!!

May 18 - Day 12 to Christina Lakes

Tonight’s campsite 

Looking behind

Looking forward!  I’m usually one to look forward in life, but today I preferred the look in the rear view, wishing it was ahead of me.  

The deadwood cafe in Green Wood.  A must stop if you’re passing by!!!  😋

Made it to Christina Lakes 79 km with 700m up.  A total of 998km to date!!!  I never really thought I would be at this number so quickly!  When I was planning this trip, and the different legs,  I just planned each day, but never really thought how it would add up!  I am overwhelmed by all the texts and messages….some of them make my eyes watery!!!!  I appreciate every message so much….❤️❤️❤️❤️

I managed to dodge the rain, until the last 10 km when the skies opened up and it poured!!!!  Once at the campground the rain stopped and I was given a spot under the tree, where I’m sheltered from the rain.  Between squalls I walked to the pizza place where it was so hot in there that my clothes dried off!!!  My shoes….well I held them under the hand dryer in the bathroom😀😀😀. 

The day started off great, not raining which was great as it had rained most of the night.  I rolled up my tent still wet, but everything else was dry.  After breakfast I headed off.  It was rolling hills, so the elevation gain wasn’t too bad at all.  

I’ve never really driven this route before, usually going north at Creston instead of continuing west, but there are lots of sweet little towns here with amazing little coffee shops, no franchises here!  Except for Grand Forks as that’s a much bigger center.  I’m glad that I can see these towns the slow way!  

Tomorrow the plan is Castlegar.  Getting closer and closer to the Alberta border. 😀😀😀😀

May 18

 A rainy night….but I stayed dry!!!!  I did go to bed soaking wet as it was pouring rain on the walk back from the restaurant.  

You may wonder what I use to power up those long hills…..Logan and Parker Coppens gave me some sour patch kids gum….GUM POWER!!!!!  Got me up that big hill yesterday…..thank you boys!!!!