Then it was off to Sicamous, the houseboat capital of the world. On the road, the scenery was rolling hills and lakes of various sizes. Salmon Arm impressed us more than we thought it would. They had a festival of some sort going on, with a parade that included about 30 vintage tractors. Very impressive to farmers like Jan and I.
Sicamous itself was nice, the locals friendly (esp. at the information office), and a lovely pub for lunch called Moose Mulligans which overlooked the houseboat marina.
Stopped at the site of the last spike driven on the cross-Canada CPR railway line. Fascinating and historic, particularly for train fans.
Then we were off to Golden and the start of the serious climb up the Columbia range and on to the rockies. Into rain, clouds, spectacular scenery when the weather cleared. Rogers Pass very interesting, steep, cold, and barren. Several avalanche sheds on the road protecting the highway and the railway. This place must be very harsh in the wind and snow of winter.
Stayed the night in Golden. At the motel desk they told me that a mother bear (grizzly???) and two cubs had been sighted just behind the A&W, which was two buildings away from us. Jan and I had dinner, then talking about the day and forgetting about the bear story, we went for a walk - passing the A&W (now closed) twice in the deepening twilight. On the way back past the A&W I remembered, and watched the shadows intently, but luckily no bears.
