Kettle River Provincial Park

As promised...I will take you back to Kettle River Provincial Park with me for a quick get-away! Be sure to bring your bikes...mosquito repellent (not that it does much good!)...and inflatables for floating down the river.

We arrive to find we have been given sites #50 and #51...a lovely double-spot under the ponderosa pines. As you can see, we have plenty of room for a few extras!

Our first order of business is to check out the river.

We pass through meadows of wildflowers throughout the park and growing with abandon all along the river banks.

It is very hot out...and floating down the river looks mighty appealing! Too bad we came without our floaties...we'll know better next time.

The trestles across the river are part of the historic Kettle Valley Railroad system that served the Okanagan-Thompson area of British Columbia from 1915 until 1961. The entire rail bed has become a recreational trail, and is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail. With a 2% grade, it is perfect for those of us who have no mountain biking experience. So let's go!

We pedal through pine meadows...

...and farmer's fields.

We pass by several homesteads...and hubby stops to watch some farm equipment at work.
It is rather warm to be pedalling...so I suggest we cool off a wee bit. Hubby opts to watch and wait...and then informs me the sign said the water came from a sewage treatment plant. I don't believe him for a second...and I am much more comfortable than he is for the ride back.

Here's the funny part...we thought we were cycling to Rock Creek, but after a very long time we realize we are going upstream and Rock Creek is in the opposite direction. Oh well...the scenery is out of this world and we have had a wonderful bike ride. And we still have time to check out Rock Creek in the morning. So let's just relax...eat a little...play some ladder golf...have a Mexican train tournament...and ward off the mosquitoes as best we can!

Today we know exactly where we are going! We cross over the trestle bridge to the east side of the river... ...and follow the river to Rock Creek. The gold rush of 1859 brought over 5000 miners into this area, and Rock Creek became the supply center. Today the economy is based on agriculture and the lumber industry...and the town boasts a population of 300 residents.

We venture into this quaint little shop, which is airing it's laundry up front...called 'Rags, Relics and Rutabagas' it is local museum of sorts. We have a most interesting chat with the proprietor, who is a local. If you ever happen to be passing through Rock Creek...be sure to check out this unique little place.

Across the street is the Rock Creek Trading Post...and, other than a gas station, there is not much more to see. Besides that, we must get back to our campsite before our check-out time (11:00 am).

We follow the river (upstream this time) and are back at the trestle bridge before long. Right beneath the bridge, at the waters edge, we see a deer in the grasses.

He doesn't seem to mind being photographed...he even waits while I change my camera batteries.

And that, my friends, is a quick tour of Kettle River and area. It was a wonderful place to visit...and I hope to go again one fine day!