Fish and chips helped down by 3 pints of Kilkenny in a splendid Irish bar last night did wonders for my mood after such a miserable drive. Even in what is low season in Whistler, the place seems quite lively. It must be buzzing during the ski season – and considerably more expensive, I guess.
Before setting off again I had a daylight wander around Whistler Village as, with all the darkness, rain and beer last night, I was not able to get a ‘feel’ for the place. Well, the effects of the darkness and beer had gone but, of course, the rain hadn’t. Nevertheless I was able to enjoy some amazing autumnal colours
and the view from my hotel up to the snow capped mountains would have been spectacular on a sunny day – if there ever is one in Canada!
Whistler village is a bit ‘twee’ for my taste. even down to some of the bizarre outlet names
but I was reminded that it is a relatively new resort thus proving, I guess, that good taste comes with old age!!
So that’s Whistler done and now on to Salmon Arm hoping to see a cross section of Canadian wildlife on the way – but not up too close!
Is there a collective word for pine trees other than a forest? A plethora of pines, perhaps? Well certainly I’ve just seen a plethora today, despite the low clouds.
The drive from Whistler to Salmon Arm was long and memorable in more ways than one! I’ve been above the snow line,
had my head in the clouds
seen stunning lakes with backdrops of (largely unseen!)snow covered mountains
and honed my Monte Carlo rally driving skills by navigating an estimated 1,000 sharp bends. All with barely another car in site. So, no traffic jams (well, until later!) but I did see a log jam!
It all came to a grinding halt, though, just outside a town in the middle of an Indian reservation called Lillooet. I should have guessed there was a problem when I passed this sign
The only way through this place is via a rickety old wooden bridge which had got a rather large hole in it. So the bridge was closed, repairs were undertaken and those few drivers on the road (inc me) just had to wait for 2.5hrs while the work was done. The remarkable thing was that my few fellow travellers were oh so calm about it all as if it was an every day occurrence. Perhaps it is!
Happily, when I finally got going again the roads improved greatly although it was another 3 hrs before I arrived in Salmon Arm where I had a rendezvous with cousin Don and his delightful wife, Joyce, at the local pub. Shame really!
Until later
Richard
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