May 17, 2010
Rest day today. Glenwood Motel in Trail B.C.
Recharging batteries for Kootenay Pass tomorrow, May 18. I intended to take a break every 5th day but after a long climb up Bonanza Pass yesterday, I needed to let my legs recover, hence a day early. If I get past Kootenay Pass, anything else will be relatively easy in comparison. I like Trail. A pal of mine, Wayne Smutylo was a disk jockey here about 35 years ago and I skiied at Red Mountain with Wayne and his wife Margaret. Some pleasant memories.
The past 3 days have been challenging to say the least, starting with Anarchist Mountain, a 3 hour climb with some steep sections. When I started the climb, an old-timer passed me walking down the hill and warned me that it was one hell of a hill. I yelled back, "I look forward to it!" partly as a reaction to him and partly to generate motivation. I hate comments like that but I love their motivational power..."F.U." and away I go. Sometimes I don't like to know about a hill, like Bonanza Pass which took 5 hours to get up. When you don't know what you're dealing with and you don't know how long you've been doing it, it doesn't seem so hard. You just crank stretch after stretch, turn after turn and after a while you notice snow on the side of the road and the horizon begins to level out and the reward of a summit shows up once more. Yesterday's descent was over 20 km.'s to Castlegar...what a kick!
It hasn't all been hill work....I've seen amazing wildlife, deer below the road where no cars can see, all sorts of birdlife especially at this nesting time. One interesting sight was a hawk flying overhead carrying a snake. I try to avoid symbolism if at all possible.
The landscape on the plateau beyond Osoyoos was spectacular with wide open spaces and remarkable cloud formations. I came across 2 cyclists from Ontario having lunch on the side of the road. Kevin and Sue took the train to Vancouver and are now cycling back home. It was also memorable to pass through Rock Creek on the way to Grand Forks. In the summer of 1971, I was trying to get work fighting forest fires and hitch-hiked around parts of the province. I remember getting dropped off at Rock Creek late one night and had no recourse but to look for a place to sleep which turned out to be the front porch of the Rock Creek General Store. I still recall the sound of the 18 wheelers going by as I attemptedto sleep. As I rode by, I looked for the general store but couldn't find it. It was many years ago and the building was pretty old so it's either replaced or gone.
I stopped at Greenway for the night and got a late start the next morning for some reason...mostly that I'm not naturally an early riser. An old mentor and retired Assistant School Superintendent was just few doors down from me and walked by as I was loading my panniers. 'Good morning", he said. I knew the voice immediately and replied, "Geoff!" It was a grat chance meeting because I haven't seen him for 20 years. He was an exceptional educational leader an I learned much from him when I was a young school principal. I wouldn't have seen him if I hadn't slept in.
Okay,,,back to hill climbing. Some hills you know too much about and logic reigns therefore you have more of an accurate idea of much how much you are likely to suffer. I did some research on Kootenay Pass and know too much so I'd better take advantage of my rest day and get prepare to sleep.
Talk to you soon,
Doug