Friday, July 26th

 Had morning coffee with Bill and Bobbie, then hitched my trailer and took my leave. What a special visit – we seldom get to spend extended time with our sibs as we age – busy lives, many miles apart. I feel so lucky to have had to opportunity to stay with them for a while – to share some travel adventures, some peaceful kayaking, and lots of good food. Not to mention happy hours!

I drove to 100 Mile House and emptied my tanks with my new sewer hoses. You might not realize that these things matter. I didn’t have to balance with my foot on the end of the hose and reach the lever with my hand, praying that the hose didn’t pop out of the hole spraying sewage everywhere. It never happened, but it was a constant anxiety. All good now. No – there will be no pictures.

I then drove into town looking for a cuppa from a really good coffee shop and discovered that there was a farmer’s market underway. So I strolled through and picked up a few veges and some more Okanagan fruit. I can’t have too much of that! Then I picked up my coffee and was on my way.

I didn’t stop to take pictures – I know, I know. I was intent on getting to the campsite. I needn’t have worried – there is tons of space. The geography changed, getting dryer and with more sparse trees. A bush that looks like gorse appeared and the valley closed in a bit. And then there was the Thompson River in all its glory! So beautiful. But I had to pay attention to my driving since the road twisted and turned, up and down, and all at a speed far faster than I would have liked to go. But I think most people are used to the road.

I did manage to see railway tunnels and fortifications, rapids, and as I got farther south a cloudy day gave way to sunshine. Then, coming in to Spences Bridge, right after a sign warning of big horn sheep – where big horn sheep on the side of the road. Had they read the sign? There were 8 to 10 of them just lingering on the side of the road creating chaos. People stopping cars and getting out to take photos. I stopped, then drove by slowly, thinking about what those horns could do to the side of my beautiful truck. Fortunately, none of them took offense and I was able to continue on.

And then Skihist Provincial Park. It’s on the opposite side of the highway from the river and rises steeply up the mountain. I backed into one site, and then changed my mind and backed into a site across the road which was on the edge of the cliff, had better shade, and a breeze coming up from the riverbed below.

I spent the afternoon reading, doodling with my art supplies 



and just watching the play of light on the mountains. Every hour presented a new wonder. 



Right now, with the sun getting low in the sky, long shadows are being cast by every tree, making the mountains seem striped.

It was very hot – 32 degrees – but very dry – 13% humidity – and so the afternoon was comfortable and I’m looking forward to the night with fresh pine laden air. Lucky me.

PS. The night, while largely uneventful, did have a moment. Just after I fell asleep I was awakened by my roof vent rattling hard and then all the windows started to rattle! There was a HUGE gust of wind that lasted probably a minute - but in that minute I thought my little camper was going to take off and fly! No damage, thankfully, and I closed the roof vent in case of a recurrence. That meant stuffy sleeping, but at least I won't lose my vent cover.

I have a few more pics, but can't seem to download in this cafe.