Me and Warragamba Dam

Today, as the flood waters rise in New South Wales and the excess continues to spill over Warragamba Dam – my son Stuart, grandson Mitchell and I went for a drive to see the thunderous torrent as it has been portrayed by TV stations of late.  Recalling memories of my previous visits to Warragamba I was all excited to revisit those sights and take more photos to add to the ever growing collection.

But before we get to today’s events let me take you back to 1961 when the dam was still under construction.  I was in sixth class or (grade 6 as they call it nowadays) and our class went on an excursion or to use today’s terminology ‘a field trip’.  Our uniformed class piled onto the bus along with two teachers – Miss McFadyen and Miss Caldbeck – both of whom were suitably attired in Summer dresses.  I cannot remember how long it took to get there – I would think in those days about 2-3 hours but then again there wasn’t as much traffic as there is today so maybe it was less, anyway it is not an integral part of this story.

Arriving at the dam and with my dad’s trusty Kodak box brownie loaded with black and white film in hand I commence to photograph this event of my school days for posterity.  Photo on the left is of the unfinished dam – the roadway along the top is still to be constructed.  Checking with my good friend Wikipedia it says that the dam was finished in 1960.  Well the actual dam may have been finished but this is what it looked like in 1961.

A highlight of the day was that we could actually walk across a suspension bridge which had been strung up between both sides of the river.  I was most careful not to drop the camera – in those days there was no neck or wrist strap, just the good old ten fingers in a white knuckle grasp.  My dad would have killed me if the camera became a permanent fixture at the bottom of the gorge!  Even then I had straight horizons, leading lines and comparative sizing. 

From what I remember it was a very hot day but the excitement of the dam and the terror of walking along the swaying bridge was something I will never forget. You can even see some on my schoolmates enjoying the stroll. Even as this early age I was practising to get some great shots.

Moving along to 1975 – another little outing is planned which will include a visit to Warragamba.  The dam is now completed and we are lucky enough to find it has a major spill due to rising waters further upstream –  and you can now drive across the top.  From memory there was a presentation area where you can see the history of the dam and learn all about the construction. 

A picnic lunch under the shady trees while you see and listen to the gushing water flowing down the river - this is in a time pre 9/11 where a simple day’s outing was just that and everyone could enjoy nature and man made constructions working together.  Sad that those times seem to be disappearing.

As you can see by the photos the suspension bridge is still there and the terror of walking across the bridge is still the same but that doesn’t stop me from taking photos. 

This time it’s concentration on the photos and more like a leisurely stroll across the bridge, although I am still gripping the railings like the mad dash back in ‘61.  Another glorious day with warm sun and blue skies. You can even stand on the top of the dam.

Now we move along the time line to today – 4th March 2012.  As I said previously, another day to see the dam in flood and after a 90 minute drive we arrive to find there are tourists everywhere.  Apparently you can no longer drive over the dam and parking is extremely limited but we finally park the 4 wheel drive half way up a footpath and into the overhanging branches of a tree and and then commence our long walk to the ‘viewing area’.  Roads are blocked off – there are hundreds of people but at least there seems to be just as many leaving as what there are arriving.  This will become clear – read on.  More rain is predicted but at the moment it is dry but unfortunately the humidity is pushing 100!  After a 10 minute trek the viewing area is reached – hold it - - did I say viewing area? It should have been named the ‘partial viewing area’.  What a disappointment!  We still see the water gushing over the spillway but now we are about 500 metres away from the dam face and there are trees everywhere.

The viewing area is about 30 metres long and everyone is juggling for a better viewing spot.  This is the best to be had where there is just a glimpse of the water – thanks to my zoom - but nothing as dramatic as in previous years.  You cannot see the river at the bottom of the gorge so the falling effect has no effect.  The suspension bridge has long gone – burnt out in the bushfires years back – never to be replaced and people have their trusty tripods and mega zoom lens cameras – a la National Geographic

Is it my imagine but does the spillway opening today look bigger than the one in 1975?  There doesn’t seem to be anyway that you can get closer even though there is another ‘viewing’ platform about a further 4km drive up towards the dam itself but it doesn’t look to be any better – just higher - so after about 10 minutes we decide to call it quits and head on back to the car and home and leave the NatGeo photographers to their assignments.  There are still lots of people arriving but not too many smiles on the ones leaving.  There is also a coffee truck just where the entrance gate is – now if they had cold drinks it would have been better.

Getting back to the car – covered in sweat and perspiration - we head for a Maccas lunch and icy cold drinks!

Going Bush at Bankstown

I have decided that I will start bushwalking.  There are already some walks planned that maybe aren’t true bushwalks but should be labelled as ‘Sydney’s Best Harbour & Coastal Walks’.  This is also the title of an excellent book published by the Sydney Morning Herald of which I have a treasured copy.  But I am getting ahead of myself as usual.

Yesterday I planned to wake up early this morning and go to the local Bankstown Native Garden – Sylvan Grove – admission free!  Well, waking up early was OK and then after breakfast I have second thoughts – bad decision.  Early afternoon I think oh blast just go so with my trusty camera in hand I set off for the 10 minute drive to Sylvan Grove.  Yes I could have walked - but by now the temperature had risen considerably and it would be about a 45 minute walk.. 

Bankstown Council does not really publicise this place well.  From what I had read I thought it would be a small allotment of earth with a few native trees and shrubs that are tendered by a group of ever loving horticulture enthusiasts.  How wrong was I?  Read on.

The entrance is just a normal driveway – blink and you will miss it which is what I did.  Turning around and entering the pebbled driveway there are spaces for about 4 cars which was OK for me as I was the only one here!

Leaving the car and walking down the path there is an amenities building on the left with toilets and a water bubbler.  This bubbler was useless – hardly a trickle so bring your own water with you. 

The path is marked with red arrows and signs so there is no chance of getting lost – unless you are the bewildered type and then you shouldn’t venture from the front door.  The day is fine, the sun is shining and off we go.  I notice a lot of numbers along the trail – I really should have paid more attention to the brochures on offer but in my eagerness to get moving I completely overlooked them. 

This place is a treasure - if you don’t mind the occasional spider web whacking you in the face.  There is also a sign advising that snakes are found in this area.  Great!  My two biggest fears – but undaunted I press on after finding a dirty big stick that I wave around in front of me like the Great White Hunter. Works a treat – no more spider webs.  There are lots of little native flowers in bloom but for the orchids I should have been here in September.  A mental note is made to return next year. These flowers are so cute and I am now passing through the Acacia area heading downhill at an ever so slight decline. 

There are houses that border the gardens and also a Caretaker that lives on site so that should deter any no good-doers from ruining such an oasis and anyway who on earth would want to do that? Nevermind.  As you walk along you cannot help but tread on some of the plants (especially when you are keeping an eye out for out leggy or slythery friends) and the different smells of the native mint etc is great.

The shade from the tall trees is refreshing and the place is so quiet except for a bird chirping every now and again or a rustle of a piece of bark being blown off a tree and landing in the bush and making you jump a bit.  All your senses are in overdrive!

Continuing along I now pass through the Rainforest where most of the tall ferns and orchids call home.  There are lots of Elk ferns growing on the trees just like they do in the untendered bush I have seen up North.

But ever onwards along the track and I come to a little walkway that says ‘short walk’ and an arrow left or ‘long walk 600 metres’ and an arrow right.  I am feeling adventurous so take the long walk over a little gully full of more plants and this leads me down into the ‘moist gully’  It is so cool and refreshing and with no-one to push me along I can take my time and take as many photos as I want without feeling harassed. 

This place is so close to human habitation that it borders the main road through this area – Henry Lawson Drive.  Every now and again you catch a glimpse of a car or hear the rumble of a truck that breaks the silence but overall it is not that bad. This section of the grove is well enough away so that it is not a large disturbance just a small nuisance!  The lookout is about half way along the track and there are plenty of rest areas where you can sit and get your breath back before tackling the uphill homeward part of the track. Don’t be put off - it is a gradual climb and really not that tiring.  If it gets too much for you after you leave the Lookout then there are more benches where you can sit and reflect on the sunlight dappled on the greenery or just close your eyes and listen to – nothing except an occasional chirp – how wonderful!  Time to move on.  There is a wonderful pond with a trickling of water over mosses – and don’t forget to keep an eye out for bearded dragons or echidnas – but I am not lucky today.

A bit further on I hear footsteps coming toward me – well I hope they are human footsteps – so I stop and wait and am met on the path by the local Park Ranger.  He is on one of his many tour of duties and we have a good old chat for about half an hour.  He has lots of interesting details about the different plants and when it is the best time to see this or that.  I tell him that I am so surprised that this has existed here as I live only five minutes away and have done so for the past 30 years. 

He tells me about a family of owls that come back to breed every year but we look and look and the only thing we spy is a sulphur crested cockatoo.  Mr Ranger also tells me to watch out for the cockies as they love to drop their bodily refuse on you when you sit on a certain seat.  Great – just keep an eye out for the white spotted seat on the way back.  Seems all my wildlife spotting adventures seem to be lacking wildlife but not a sense of humour. The best time of day to experience all the different types of birds from lorikeets to rosellas is first thing in the morning – the gardens open at 9am so something to keep for future reference.

The weather has started to come up windy so I decide I’d better head on back to the car – still all uphill from now on but I still make time to stop and look at some of the pretty wildflowers that dance in the sun and what story would be complete without some banksias. Memories of childhood come flooding back with the many tales of Snugglepot, Cuddlepie and the Banksia Men.  I will certainly have to find my copy and read it over again!

Arriving back at the car – the wind has certainly increased although it is still as hot as Hades and I can hardly wait to get home and have a cold drink.  Another visit to this magic place is definitely planned when all the native orchids etc in flower that’s for sure. 

To Mr Ranger and everyone who tends and nurtures this wonderful area – thank you. I am glad that Bankstown Council has finally done something positive with my rates instead of building another bloody fountain or park which in their wisdom they name after their political cronies.  Another positive note is that this place is fair dinkum true blue!

 

 

 

 

 

Highlight of the day:  talks with the Ranger and learning more about the Aussie Bush.

Sydney Sparkles -

Seeing that the ms Volendam is in the port of Sydney today – I decide to take myself off into town and not only see her but call into the Art Gallery and visit with The Entombed Warriors – or at least a couple of them on loan from China.  For those of you who do not know – my daughter Kylie and her husband Tyler whom you would have met previously on my travels, along with moi, sailed on the Madam V to Alaska from the port of Vancouver Canada. I am yet to write about this journey so stay tuned.  So much to do – so little time.  Here endeth the explanation.

When I leave home the weather people are telling me that today will be sunny and 27 degrees Celsius.  What liars – when I get into town it is more like 35.  Getting off the train I head on up to Macquarie Street which is one of the main thoroughfares at the top end of Sydney and where you can, after a short walk, find such Sydney icons as St Mary’s Cathedral – Centennial Park and the Archibald Fountain and numerous statues.   St Mary’s Cathedral is the biggest Roman Catholic Cathedral in Sydney and is really an imposing structure.  Last time I came in here you could take photos inside without flash – but not anymore so it’s photos from the outside only. Of course one has to run the gauntlet of numerous ice cream and cold drink vendors who charge the unsuspecting tourists more than what I pay in tax for the year for a cold bottle of water!

The Archibald Fountain always looks cool and refreshing and there are lots of tourists- some are really great when it comes to taking photos and they use their commonsense – if you are patient and don’t walk in front of them while they are taking their holiday snaps then they will do the same for you.  It’s all about manners.  Unfortunately today we have some sort of half clad mannerless male moron – thinking he is a Greek God posing and primping for his skanky wife/girlfriend or whatever and in general being a shirtless arse wearing short shorts so no-one gets any photos until he decides to leave.  I do not take a photo of this buffoon – apart from having a lousy torso he had a very hairy back – yuk!  Hang on – are they filming another Planet of the Apes?  A quick look round tells me no - so it’s round the Archibald we go and take more photos to add to the 1000+ collection I have at home – love those digital cameras!  Here’s a couple of happy snaps – such a pretty place

Anyway pressing on to the Art Gallery and my first objective of the day I am confronted with a queue a mile long and about an hour wait. Why have all these people left it to the last day of the exhibition to spoil my plan?  Just because I have left it till the last day is of no consequence.  There are screaming kids being dragged along by their parents – screaming kids in strollers – fakers (if you have read my daughter's blog- I think they must be off the Volendam) and miles and miles of tourists.  As I do not play well with any of the above – I decide it is in my best interest not to mention their best interest to give it a miss and head on down through the Royal Botanic Gardens.  Now this is a true Sydney Gem of huge proportions.  Lush green grass – lots of shade trees – lots of plants – lots of open spaces and lots of bloody flying foxes.  The ‘green brigade’ wants everyone to befriend these little creatures – but they are noisy, stinky and shitty.  What used to be a lovely quiet area of the gardens is now a place better left unvisited.  There are lots more people friendly areas to see – magic little fountains – tropical shade houses and long shady walks right down to the harbour.  Anywhere near the water is great – especially when Sydney is sparkling in her best bling.  I know it is because the Madam V is in port – but before saying hello to my trusty friend I walk right around near Mrs Macquarie’s chair – which is a place right on the point so named because Governor Macquarie’s wife used to come down here and look at the harbour.  It is also a well sought after vantage point for the New Year fireworks and you get to see the full show on and above the Harbour Bridge. That is something I have yet to do – it’s on the bucket list! Anyway back to the harbour – this is also a good spot for wedding photos and yep – the bride and groom and smiling away and trying not to fall in after being precariously positioned while the photographer’s assistant throws her wedding dress train in the air to get that ‘great photo’.  But you have to agree it is the best harbour on God’s Green Earth so I cannot blame them.  Little sailing boats, big sailing boats, ferries, catamarans, private boats all take advantage of this wonderful place – especially on such a great day.  Hindsight is a great thing.  I wish I had started at the Opera House and then walked around here to see the Madam V leave at dusk but – because I cannot see into the future I did not.  So after a nice little rest in the shade and listening to the harbour lap up against the walls – it is time to walk all the way round to the Opera House at Circular Quay and see my friend the ms Volendam.  She doesn’t look a day older than when we sailed on her to Alaska in 2009.  When you walk around this area there has to be at least 50 boardwalk type restaurants and cafes – and be warned they all charge exorbitant prices for their meals and their drinks but in saying that it is all I can do to keep walking and not sit down and have a chilled glass of wine.  They practically kidnap you as you walk past but I say in my best Aussie accent that I live here and thanks but no thanks.  The usual touristy performers are crowded along the walkways – again I put my head down and keep on going – it really is crass.  Why are native peoples playing banjos – which reminds me of a great T-shirt I saw on a tourist.  It said ‘Keep paddling – I hear banjos!’ and had a picture of two guys in a canoe going for their lives!  Anyway – I digress which I normally do. So standing in front of Madam V at last -  brings back a lot of memories but unfortunately all I can do is look this time – not walk up the gangway and have the farewell drink as we sail out – but there are lots who are going to be doing just that.  I find a nice shady spot and think of the places on board – the Crow’s Nest – the Pinnacle Grill – the Lido Restaurant – our cabin and verandah – that freezing morning spent looking for Orcas – Glacier Bay and let’s not forget the fakers! Walking down to the aft (that’s the back of the boat for all you non nautical people) there is a tourist official standing behind a sign that reads ‘Three Dams in Sydney’ so I wander over for a bit of chat and I happen to mention our previous trip and hope he will say ‘would you like to have a look on board?  But no – he gives me a brochure for the 2011 / 2012 cruises for New Zealand and the Pacific and wishes me a nice day.  Hrumph!!!!! I wish him the same – albeit through clenched teeth and head off.   Reaching the back of the boat I take this photo of where we spent our time – Kylie (my daughter) more so on the verandah than inside but that’s a whole other story.  Sorry it is not closer but due to strict security not to mention tall fences that is the best I could do.  If you look directly at the deck of verandahs way at the top under the white roof and count 11 cabins in from the end – that’s us!  Right above the H in Holland America! I know you are excited - I can tell! So after more photos I decide that I cannot walk all the way back to the other side of the harbour to wave goodbye and the best plot is to head off home whilst my legs can still carry me to the train station.  Sure had a nice day - -

Adventure Update

The 2011 trip now has a new name!  ‘The Great European Train Adventure!’  This is the plan so far - -

Sydney – London – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague – Venice – Florence – Rome – Paris – London – Sydney.  Of course don’t forget to substitute Portland for Sydney for K & T as we are meeting up in London.  Sounds exciting doesn’t it?  Once the Christmas rush is over then the real planning can begin.  We already have a few accommodation places in mind so it will be all systems go come January!

I already have my plane tickets so that’s a start. Qantas to Sydney – Melbourne – stop off in Hong Kong to re-fuel then on to Heathrow. Only available schedule on Frequent Flyers but that’s OK. Coming back couldn’t get a straight through Qantas flight so had to go for British Airways. 

Another adventure on the books!

Series 3 - 2011 is now in the preliminary planning stages.  This one is to be called ‘The Great Gastronomical Adventures of Europe by Rail’.

Stay tuned for updates on the how, why and where the ‘Travelling Trio’ (daughter Kylie, son-in-law Tyler and me) are going to actually accomplish everything we plan.  Seems like these adventures grow into a major production but that’s the fun of it.

2009 – North to Alaska – Day 15

Salmon Arm to Banff

Today we up early for today’s journey to Banff.  The skies are blue and the sun is shining and all is well with the world in Salmon Arm British Columbia. 

Before moving out though it’s time to have a little breakfast and instead of a nice quiet meal – there are Fakers everywhere.  Are they following us?  Don’t they realise there are other places to stay where they will be welcomed with open arms?  Obviously not.  There is not a spare table anywhere and by the looks of things they have been here since the first sausage was put on display!  Off the main dining room there is a small outdoor area so because you actually have to move away from the food to get there – one would call this a Faker Free Zone – we decide that this would be a good place to eat – plenty of fresh air and plenty of room.  Kylie is the first of our band to get her juice etc and heads on out leaving the door ajar so that we can follow with a minimum of juggling to open the door.  Meanwhile ‘Arsehole Faker’ as Kylie christened him, thinks this is just too much air for him and closes the door.  Yep, arsehole.  While all this is happening Tyler and I have found a nice quiet spot inside so we signal to Kylie to join us.  Unfortunately what with Mr A Faker closing the door with such force – the door has now locked itself and we cannot get it open. Talk about comedy capers, Kylie outside with her breakfast and we inside trying to unlock the door.  Mr A Faker just looks smugly at us.  We are not having any luck so we have to get the waitress to unlock it for us and as we walk past Mr A Faker we are tempted to tip our breakfast over him.  Comments are made in his direction along the lines of ‘you would think fresh air would kill all these old farts’ and we return to our table, feeling indigestion is not far away.  I have pineapple juice, muffins, bacon, mushrooms and tomato - nothing flash but very filling and I have remembered to bring my Vegemite to the table for my muffins.

As Mr A Faker finishes his breakfast and walks past our table, the words ‘Arsehole Faker’ are clearly heard but Kylie is still going about eating her breakfast and looking very innocent.  I nearly choke myself when I see his footwear – sandals and socks.  Typical Faker Fashion.

After breakfast it is back to the room to pile our belongings on the trolley and then downstairs to check out. I make the suggestion that maybe we should explore Salmon Arm a bit and pick up some postcards to send home so off we go.  We find the township and Post Office – I am happy – Kylie discovers a Tim Horton’s so she is happy (hotel coffee is really not the best) and I think Tyler is happy.

Driving around we discover a lovely park right opposite the Lakeside Marina. Because the weather is so lovely we get out and explore. The park has lovely fountains and pretty flowers, it is so serene.  We then walk out to the marina which is on stilts so I presume that the tides get extremely high here.  We do not walk to the end but it is a nice walk nonetheless.

There are some ducks swimming in the little stream which is emptying into the lake and it’s nice to stand in the sun after all the time on the cruise spent under heavy clouds. 

Would have been nice to have a picnic here but alas we have already eaten breakfast.  We should have piled up a hamper of brekky goodies and brought it here but then again hindsight is always 20-20.  Doesn’t it look lovely?

We have a plan – we are going to pick up some rolls, meat and salad and have a picnic lunch at Picture Postcard Perfect Lake Louise so all is not lost.   Back in the car and on the highway heading for Banff we make our way through the mountains but are soon passed by a truck with Keith Urban scrawled all over the back of it.  I suggest that maybe Keith is driving with Nic up front and Sunday Rose in the back but this suggestion is scorned by the other two.  Possibly it is some of his gear heading for the next concert?

As we climb higher into the Canadian Rockies the weather deteriorates and big black clouds soon appear. These give way to even lower clouds hugging the mountains.  All of a sudden it has turned dark like late afternoon and it is still only about 10.30am.  So much for the fine weather. The inevitable rain drops start to hit the windscreen which does not do any good for my movies from the front seat of the car but every now and again we catch a glimpse of blue sky and sunshine but that soon disappears.   We also get to see the water gushing down the side of the mountains which looks really pretty.  The heavy rain stays with us for many miles until we start coming into the township of Golden.   A point of interest – Sikhs arrived in Golden in the 1800’s. They were employed in the forest industry by the Columbia river Logging Company who built accommodation for them.

As we continue our four hour journey there are lots of road works being carried out and I can imagine that in some parts there are many rock slides, let’s just hope that today is not one of those days.  Our constant companion, the rain, comes and goes, sometimes just enough to be a nuisance, but every now and again the sun hits the countryside and the colours in the cuttings where the highway passes are incredible.  As we climb even higher into the Rockies the clouds become more intense and every now and again we glimpse white cut outs of stag and elk along the road. Do these mean that those animals frequent this area and drivers are to watch out?  Or are they the typical ‘Nat Geo cut outs’ that tantalize.  No such luck with the real thing – we press on.

Finally arriving at Lake Louise we follow the signs for the parking area and as the weather has not improved, our picnic lunch by the lake is a no go.  Pretending we are staying at the 22 star hotel Fairmont Chateau right on Lake Louise we continue through to their parking area but then decide to give it a miss as we are getting rather dubious looks from the parking attendants.  We hot foot it out of there to find the ‘ordinary people’ parking area which is still in the same area.  Knowing that we are just here for a quick 10 minute look we decide to risk it and not pay the Entry Fee.  We are certainly living dangerously! Parking the car – we grab cameras and as luck would have it the sun has come out as we head off for lakeside.  What a view! Spectacular comes to mind – and just as I press the shutter button a ray of sun hits the lens.  This would have been a wonderful place to have a picnic but maybe next time.  There are a rather large hoard of Korean tourists who decide to jump up and down on the water’s edge having their photo taken mid air.  Unfortunately it takes quite a few photos to get it just right but they are having fun and it does not disturb us. 

We admire the glacier in the distance and the blue of the lake – the sun is now raying down upon us but the clouds coming overhead are threatening so it’s back to the car.

Time to head for our hotel in Banff – grey clouds – black clouds and rainbursts follow us but every now and again we come into a patch of blue and sunshine that lights up the famous Canadian Rockies. This truly is a scenic wonder of the world.  Cameras are going left, right and centre just to try and capture the majesty but I would presume that any photo taken will not do them the justice they deserve.

We arrive at our hotel – The Best Western Siding 29 Lodge. The car park is underground but we cannot get to it because someone has decided to park right across the entrance. Walking up to the check in desk there is a woman making all kinds of stuttering remarks about whether she will stay here or not even though she had made a reservation.  She wants to see her room before checking in and has decided that everyone must know that she is not a happy camper.  I get the feeling that the poor desk clerk who is smiling and putting up with this nonsense is about to reach for some blunt instrument.  Finally deciding she will stay after all – maybe it has something to do with being told she will forfeit her deposit - she heads off to get her luggage from the car and yep she is the piece that has parked right in front of the entrance to the car park.  What a charmer. 

The desk clerk smiles and welcomes us and gives us the key to our room – 205 a nice typical Best Western room – but what’s this??? We have a verandah and the verandah has lots of potted petunias – and we have a view!!! What has happened to our normal car park view?  Word must have spread that enough is enough.  I can just imagine what this place is like in Winter all covered in snow – magical.

After parking our belongings we head out to discover the town of Banff.  Very quaint and we must of course suss out the tourist stores – exactly what we need to do - more shopping.   One interesting point is that apparently a lot of Aussies come here. ON one of our shopping moments we meet an Aussie girl from Brisbane who tells us it is very expensive to live here especially during the snow season but hey if you like to ski and snowboard then that’s not a problem right? And what a place to carry out those activities.  It is right at your door!

After shopping and looking and shopping we decide to get something to eat as we are feeling hungry and after perusing the menus out the front of some places – yep, we agree it is very expensive and not even the ‘season’ yet plus we cannot agree on what to eat.  We head back to the hotel and get some brochures on the local takeaways from the desk.  Our earth shattering decision is made – pizza.  This turns out to be not the best but it stops our grumbling tummies.

Soon we are away with the Banff fairies enjoying a nice quiet night of rest.

Highlight of the day:  Those wonderful mountains!

2009 North to Alaska – Day 14

Vancouver to Salmon Arm – on the road again

Please accept my apologies for not having a ‘Wednesday Mat’.  I suppose the excitement of the cruise and getting back to dry land is to blame, or is it the feeling that I want to stay here, turn the ship around and go back?  Think it may be the latter.

We wake to pretty much the same weather as we had when we left Vancouver except for the rain so that’s a good start.  Our bags have been collected earlier this morning so all we have to do is have a bite of brekky and then prepare for the disembarking onslaught. 

Under the Lions Gate Bridge, still followed by our constant companion we arrive in Vancouver about 6.30am.   I take some last minute snaps and think of the time when we were heading in the other direction.

Breakfast time is relatively quiet – most of the Fakers are busy packing 2 tonne of items – so we can relax a bit before the big day ahead of us. 

Getting back to the cabin we organise ourselves, finalise our account and head off down the hallway for the last time.  Not a lot of people around – the majority of Fakers have packed and are now headed to the trough – so we make the most of it and bid our farewells to the Madam V.

Clearing Customs without a fuss, it’s then off to find our luggage which has been colour coded so that we will find it with the least amount of fuss.  An excellent system as we collect our bags and proceed to our Cruisepark transport bus.  We look at all the people with as many bags as us and quietly smile.  Back at the carpark our car is brought around and we spend some time repacking everything into the boot and back seat.  This is no mean feat let me tell you – and we still have two and a bit weeks to go!

Kylie decides to drive so I am up front with the good old Trip Tik in hand ready with the directions. Our first stop is to be the Capilano Suspension Bridge so it’s back through downtown Vancouver to say goodbye, over the Lions Gate Bridge and we are off.  The clouds are keeping an eye on us but the rain has held off.  We get to the parking area for the bridge – pay the parking fee and proceed to the Admission Gate.  The entrance fee is $30.00 which is fine if you are going to be here for the entire day as it is a rather large park with lots of activities, but as we are not going to be here for very long we decide it is a bit too pricey for an hour or two just to walk over a bridge and take some photos.  There are no short stay discount admissions - so it’s back to the car (we forfeit our parking fee) and the journey continues. 

Travelling along through the Canadian Rockies on Trans-Canada 1 we are overjoyed that the sun has finally decided to come say hello.  I was beginning to think that maybe old sol had decided to head South for a holiday.  After a lengthy drive with me taking lots of movies it is time to stop for petrol at a town called Hope – as in ‘abandon all ye who enter here’.  Unfortunately we miss the turn off and have to take the scenic route which takes us to the short cut via the short cut. Tyler is now driving and Kylie is having a nap in the back seat scrunched up with all the bags and goodies.

The scenery is majestic with the blue skies and the green hills and there is not much traffic on the highway and all that makes for a really good drive.  Around lunchtime Kylie spots a Tim Horton’s sign – coffee is always a good idea so we get something to eat, have coffee now and get some coffee for later.

Back on the road and we pass through ‘an area that has a lot of roadside signs notifying ‘Avalanche Area’ so there must be a lot of snow here during Winter.  We have also ended up behind a dirty big logging truck which is however making good time – and then on the left of the car a goods train of about 3 miles long drives past us heading towards Vancouver. 

Another sign says 80km to Salmon Arm so it looks as if Mr Logs will be our driving companion for the distance, but the scenery makes up for it and after the goods train disappears there is now a really, really, really big lake.   

At 40km to Salmon Arm Mr Logs departs for parts unknown but the lake is still with us.  If you see some markings on the windscreen – they are from a previous encounter with a rock that Kylie had back in St Helens. 

We arrive in Salmon Arm where we are staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.  We have room 506 and on the door along with the room number there is a plaque of a salmon.  Well, what else would it be?  Do you suppose that every room is named after a species of fish? 

We unload the car (and that is no mean feat) and bring everything up to the room so that we can reorganise.  Remember we made only three stops on the boat and we seem to have bought out each and every town.  It didn’t seem that much when we were in the shops.  In keeping with hotel rooms on the Stansbury/Clarke Tour, our view is --- the car park!  At least we are not on the main road so that’s good.

After settling in the best we can and having a bit of a Nana Nap (a habit acquired on the Madam V) we take a small scenic tour of Salmon Arm to find a place for dinner.  Deciding on an establishment called ‘White Spot’ (isn’t that a disease that fish get?) Kylie assures me that they have the best burgers so in we go.  Granted it’s not like the dinners on the cruise but it hits the spot and after finishing the meal we head back to the room.

Time for a bit of channel surfing on the TV and I find NCIS – I love this show – and this becomes the first of many, many episodes we watch if the Ducks are not playing something somewhere.  Incredible how every time you turn on the TV there is NCIS – a bit like I Love Lucy.  I update my journal and then it’s time for lights out – another big day tomorrow. Come to think of it – it will be big days from now on to the end. Oh dear!

Highlight of the day: my first sight of the Canadian Rockies.