Debbie: Saturday, August 6. Our last full day on the east-west leg. Once again, travel karma smiles upon us. Saved us from going East by going…we don’t know? But somehow, on a road with no crossroads we lost Hwy 23-S and ended up on Hwy 6-W. Crossed an extra ferry and extra mountain and found ourselves in the most wildernessy of wildernesses we have yet to traverse. I smile as I remember the podcast recommendation. Go west without a map.
So here we are with no map, no gps, no cell signal, no signs with names of towns. There are no towns. Just a beautiful, sunny day near the ever-present Columbia River. Switch-back roads, towering trees and steep declines. Well, at least we have plenty of gas. How bad can things go if we’re headed west toward Vancouver???
We drive rather quietly. Not truly nervous, but certainly with nervous energy. Looking back things always seem less lost than when you’re looking forward with no sign of humanity nearby and none of the tools we usually use for locating ourselves. Just when it seemed we would never emerge from the mountain wilderness, don’t ya know it, we entered a lush valley with one gas station and enough signal to confirm our suspicions. We had no idea how we got “here” but here was going to work out just fine. Seems that rather than cross over the mountain we surfed the spine 😜. What a ride!
It’s a weekend so camping spots are going to be hard to find. We have learned alot about asking for help so as soon as we see that Lumby, B.C. has an info center we pull over to check it out. As usual everything is full. But we can try the Lion’s Club Campground overflow section. Maybe they’ll make space for us.
Of course they do!
Sheryl, the host says we can pull up under that big tree. $20, showers, and a short walk to town. Farmers Market in the morning.
There’s something wonderful about sipping coffee under a big tree. Listening to neighboring campers speaking a variety of languages. Smelling the breakfasts being cooked nearby and trying to identify each bit of odiferous-ness. Sun warming my back as I soak in the promise of one more day of sweet surprises in this little slice of B.C.heaven
I can’t believe how easy it is to roll onto a grassy space under a magnificent shade tree and call it home.
And from Steve The Tao of Camping
Our little guy lacks a dressing room. To dress it helps to find a private space outdoors and be able to stand on one foot as you dress. ITS IMPORTANT IN LIFE TO HAVE BALANCE .
We have been sampled by mosquitoes from Toronto to British Columbia. After our first terrifying experience in a cow pasture in Western Ontario we have learned that DETACHED PRESENT MOMENT AWARENESS is the best strategy for these buggers. IT DOESNT HELP TO TAKE IT PERSONALLY
When you live with the same person 24/7 roughly 3’ apart, it’s good to remember OUR THOUGHTS ARE NOT REAL.
If you are an American bullfrog who accidentally ended up IN CANADA just know that JUST BECAUSE YOU AREN’T WANTED DOESN’T MEAN YOU AREN’T LOVABLE.
Steve & Debbie’s Grand Adventure 