Stromboli's Rolling Log: Day 70, Monday June 11, 2018, The British Columbia Mtns. to Kelowna. (Snow sheds and tunnels)

There is no doubt that this was a beutiful drive even though the rian was intermittent most of the morning and evening. The afternoon not so much as we came into Nicola Valley near Merritt B.C. This valley just appears suddenly after a long downhill, and was no doubt carved out over the millenia by the Nicola and Thompson rivers (The Thompson not so far away).

"Imagine a magical place where the sun shines on most days of the year on grasslands, rolling hills, historic ranches and shimmering lakes. Such a place exists in the southern interior of BC, where the sun heaps over 2,000 hours of annual sunshine upon Merritt and the Nicola Valley. The charming Nicola Valley is steeped in history; mining and railways, western lifestyle, and First Nations culture.
The name Nicola was given to the famous chieftain Hwistesmetxquen by the early fur traders for the obvious reason that they couldn’t pronounce his Native name. When they tried it phonetically, it sounded vaguely like Nicholas or Nicola, and their mispronunciation has remained.
The range of wildlife and vegetation in the valley varies dramatically with terrain and elevation, and the entire Nicola Valley is filled with amazing natural attractions. Wind erosion has created unique formations in the walls of Windy Canyon near Merritt, and ancient Glacial Shore Lines of 10,000-year-old glacial lakes are visible in the grasslands, particularly along Highway 5A north of Merritt. Ancient volcanic Lava Cliffs can be viewed along the hiking trail at Monck Provincial Park, and amazing Hoodoos can be found along Highway 8, west of Merritt towards Spences Bridge."
If yuo want any type of outdoor expeience , this might be just the place to go. It has rivers, hiking and horse trails, lakes with surfing and sailing, fishing, ...it has it all. Fruit is grown here as well.

A portion of 97c between Hope and Merritt. Timber, ups and downs.

The roads were good, smooth, even though there were long climbs & downhills.

We all like those fluffy Cumulus clouds.

Coquihalla Pass (route 5) has an elevation of about 6,000 feet. Further on (97c) near Pennask Mt the elevation is about the same. The road is very well designed and Ruth remarked at the great care the took to design a road with such wide turns and safe right of ways.

Some really beautiful scenery as we move east.

This is very wintry country in the cold season so the signs stay up all year. From October to March 31 chains must be carried at all times in many of the higher roads.

AM clouds were low and had raindrops in them. (Snow did you say snow.)

Our campsite in Kelowna was a beauty. Getting into it was tricky and they sent the "Park Patrol" to stop traffic while Jim backed into the site. It was at an angle on a narrow street, but we got it in after a fashion. It is a beautiful site for an overnite!