We've recently arrived at Revelstoke, (Revy to the locals) today's destination, another lovely small town in the Rockies, apparently known for its Railway Museum (so no bets as to where train spotter Baldric will be spending the afternoon), but also the site of Canada's largest ever overnight snowfall back in 1972.
Lunch at a delightful cafe, under an umbrella in the sun - the sort of cafe those of us with too little "won't power" would prefer not to have next door. Most of the crew went bear spotting this morning, and were well rewarded with the real deal - great news, especially for Bree who has a special connection. Linda and I chose to "fly solo" today, travelling at our own pace, initially exploring the delights of Golden, and in particular it's apparently famous wooden trestle bridge Once on the go we were slowed a littlef by significant roadworks - not road works as we know it in NZ with gangs of blokes puddling about seemingly achieving little over a long period of time, but huge undertakings widening, straightening and generally taming the path of the Trans Canada Highway, with evidence of great effort around every corner. Leaving Golden was to climb back in to the smoke we'd left behind a week ago, many fires still burning not too far from the road, but apparently well under control. It is easy to forget, especially with the media promoting bubble gum journalism, that fires are very much part of the order of things in the Rockies, and that to prevent fires would be to eventually destroy the forest. Revy is like so many of the towns we've frequented, judging by the people and faces in the city centres, apparently very mono cultural. There are "Native Indians" (and I won't comment on the PC bs in this regards), but usually only evident in the poorer outskirts of town, and a few immigrant hotel / motel owners, with Asian tourists only evident in waves in the really touristy spots. The day has again progressed from fairly brisk when I left this mornings hotel at about 6am for a wander, to a very warm 26C now. As with everywhere we have been on this trip, in the cities and the small towns, wherever you look "Help Wanted" signs are posted predominantly in shop, cafe and restaurant windows - plenty of work if you want it. One further observation, made as an erstwhile Truckie, being the surprising number of Volvo trucks on the road, particularly on long haul work (I'd guess about 30-40% of trucks on duty this Swedish make), with Kenworth, Western Star and Peterbilt also very prevalent, (whatever happened to Mack?). Having said that, every truck on construction duty is made in the USA. Rumour has it a group will be heading to the Railway museum shortly, so time for me to go. Don Malcolm +64 21 924 114 Comments are closed.
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Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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